Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare disease. The tissue lining the abdomen is called the peritoneum. It helps to protect the contents of the abdomen. It also produces a lubricating fluid. This helps the organs to move smoothly inside the abdomen as we move around. Mesothelioma of the tissues lining the abdominal cavity in known as peritoneal mesothelioma.

A thin membrane of mesothellial cells, known as the peritoneum develops many of the organs in the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a tumor that is on this membrane. Its only known cause is exposure to asbestos, and it is not detected until the tumor has begun to grow. The large tumor mass that results late in the disease might resemble many different subtypes of mesothelioma pressed together in the peritoneal space of a single patient. However, some patients with primary peritoneal surface malignancy do show a wide divergence of histological types of peritoneal surface cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer accounts for about one-fifth of all mesothelioma cases.

Like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be either benign or malignant. This discussion is only about malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Histologically, four types of malignant mesotheliomas are recognized: epithelial, sarcomatous, mixed and poorly differentiated. 75% of peritoneal mesotheliomas are of the epithelial form in which the mesothelial cells are arranged in tubulopapillary or trabecular formations.

There are at least two explanations for how asbestos fibers can get into the peritoneum. The first is that fibers caught by the mucus of the trachea and bronchi end up being swallowed. Some of them lodge in the intestinal tract and from there they can move through the intestinal wall into the peritoneum. The second explanation is that fibers that lodge in the lungs can move into the lymphatic system and be transported to the peritoneum.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma typically include weight loss, abdominal pains, loss of appetite, weakness, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space, a condition known as ascites. Over time the peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms can become more and more severe.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment

There are some treatment methods in use, but there is no known cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. The prognosis depends on various factors including the size and stage of the tumor, its extent, the cell type, and whether or not the tumor responds to treatment. However, the peritoneal mesothelioma treatment has been improved as the time goes by. The peritoneal mesothelioma treatment includes; chemotherapy and other drug-based therapies, radiation therapy, and surgery.

For more free legal information on Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawsuits, please visit Free Legal Information.

---

What Are The Risk Factors For Mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer involving mesothelial tissues of... Read More

Mesothelioma Help

According to the National Cancer Institute, mesothelioma is a malignant... Read More

Does It Pay to Get a Mesothelioma Attorney?

Mesothelioma is a serious form of rare cancer. There is... Read More

Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the linings of the heart,... Read More

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an extremely nasty and permanent cancer that infects... Read More

Mesothelioma - Cancer that Strikes 40 Years Later

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant... Read More

Mesothelioma Book - Review

"Lean on Me" Cancer through a carer's eyes Lorraine Kember... Read More

How to Tell if You Have Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma - Symptoms and SolutionsSymptoms of Mesothelioma can be latent... Read More

Mesothelioma Treatment

Like all other types of cancer, mesothelioma is incurable. Although... Read More

Is Replacing the Lungs the Answer to Lung Cancer?

Late stage lung cancers are some of the hardest to... Read More

Lung Cancer-Non-Smokers at Risk!

Most of us non-smokers feel we've got little to worry... Read More

Asbestos Killed My Husband

He was only a child when it begun -and he... Read More

Protect Against Mesothelioma by Avoiding Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the body's mesothelial... Read More

Mesothelioma - an Asbestos Related Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer located in the lining... Read More

Beryllium The New Asbestos?

It was American workers on the world's first atomic bomb... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosed: Dealing With Emotions

People deal with and react to having cancer in different... Read More

Acoustic Asbestos Ceiling Removal, Is It Necessary?

Homeowners with acoustic asbestos ceiling question about the effects of... Read More

Coping With Cancer-A Family View

An often forgotten feature of dealing with cancer is what... Read More

Mesothelioma

Tragically the word mesothelioma is becoming more and more well... Read More

Asbestos - The Silent Killer

Asbestos is the single biggest work place killer today. People... Read More

Who is at Increased Risk For Developing Mesothelioma?

Since the late 1800's Asbestos has been mined and used... Read More

Your Mesothelioma Case

Your Mesothelioma case is important to you. You have been... Read More

Mesothelioma in the UK

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the external... Read More

L&S Announce Steps to Protect Against Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Lewis and Sholnick have announced the publication of some simple... Read More

Screening for Mesothelioma

Doctor appointments are critical to make sure you're staying in... Read More

How to Treat Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure

There are many forms of treatment for Mesothelioma. Their effectiveness... Read More

The Facts About Lung Cancer - Better To Be Aware

Keep yourself abreast of facts about lung cancer, as the... Read More

Lung Cancer: The Bad and the Worse

In terms of deaths caused by various forms of cancer,... Read More

Mesothelioma Information Help

Depending on the stage of the disease, the most common... Read More

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare disease. The tissue lining the... Read More

Mesothelioma - The Largest Man Made Epidemic

It is documented that Australia had the highest per capita... Read More

Mesothelioma Research

Research offers hope of cure for mesothelioma. A laboratory mouse... Read More