Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms
Peritoneal mesothelioma asbestos signs typically affect the digestive system. This is due to asbestos fibers being consumed and are absorbed into the stomach’s lining known as the peritoneum.
In time these fibers can cause mutations in healthy peritoneal cells. In the end tumors that are cancerous develop in the peritoneum.
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to recognize. The early signs can be similar to symptoms of other conditions like hernia, or IBS.
Signs and symptoms
When asbestos fibers are inhaled they can enter the lungs and travel throughout the body. From there, they can be trapped in the lining of the abdomen or other organs, causing irritation and inflammation that leads to tumor growth. This process can take a long time to develop and many victims are unaware of their asbestos exposure until it is too late.
Malignant peritoneal melanoma develops when asbestos fibers become trapped in the tissues that line the abdominal cavity as well as other organs. It is the second most frequent mesothelioma. However, it is difficult to recognize because the early symptoms aren’t specific and are similar to those of gastrointestinal diseases. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma often suffer from stomach pain, fatigue and digestive problems.
Mesothelioma patients are usually diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma after having a physical exam as well as a medical history check and several tests performed by a laboratory. A X-ray and a CT scan can assist doctors to identify any lumps or other signs of disease. In certain instances, doctors who treat mesothelioma may also request a biopsy to obtain a more precise diagnosis.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms generally begin in the abdomen and can result in severe abdominal discomfort, weight loss, bloating stomach fluid accumulation, nausea, vomiting and other digestive issues. The symptoms can also include chest pain, swelling and fatigue. It is essential for patients to seek a medical diagnosis when they have these symptoms, as they could be caused by something other than mesothelioma.
Despite the difficulties in diagnosing peritoneal msothelioma patients, they can often be treated to prolong their lives. In most cases, the treatment involves surgery and heated chemo.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, call our mesothelioma lawyers to learn more about how we can help. We can assist you in finding an expert in mesothelioma near you who can help you file a lawsuit against asbestos companies that are responsible for your exposure. We can also assist you to get the financial compensation you deserve. You can begin this process by filling in our free online form. We can assist you to get the best outcome possible by working with the best mesothelioma lawyers.
Diagnosis
To determine if you have peritoneal msothelioma it is important to have an exhaustive medical history. Doctors will ask the patient about their asbestos exposure and the date it happened. They may also conduct a physical examination. Blood tests, X-rays, and CT scans are often utilized in the initial check-up.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to recognize due to its lengthy period of latency. Patients might experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and fever that are similar to other conditions. These symptoms aren’t specific and can cause confusion for doctors. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that can take years to manifest symptoms following exposure to asbestos, is a rare condition.
Asbestos fibers inhaled, or consumed travel into the stomach lining known as the peritoneum. Asbestos fibers that are sharp can irritate mesothelium when they reach the peritoneum. Over time, this irritation causes inflammation and scar tissue growth. In the end, this causes abnormal cell growth and tumors forming.
There are no FDA-approved screening tests for peritoneal mesothelioma however, researchers are finding ways to detect the disease in its early stages. The stage of mesothelioma is the basis for the treatment options.
A mesothelioma specialist can conduct a paracentesis or percutaneous needle biopsy to collect a sample of mesothelioma tumours for laboratory testing. These tests can help identify the kind of cancer cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid, or epithelioid) within the tumor and aid doctors come up with a treatment strategy.
Specialists in mesothelioma also determine the stage of the patient. The stage determines the most effective treatments and helps mesothelioma lawyers know which asbestos-related companies are responsible in mesothelioma cases.
When a mesothelioma expert reviews the results from an examination and creates a pathology record which contains details about the type mesothelioma. The report may also contain the staging scale, which indicates how far the cancer has spread across the body. The more advanced the stage is, the less likely it is to respond to treatment. Lawyers can explain the implications of this to the particular case of a client.
Treatment
When swallowed or inhaled, asbestos fibers become embedded in the tissues that line the abdomen and other organs. These fibers irritate the cells and damage DNA. Over time, this leads to the formation of tumors within the lining. Typically, peritoneal cancer develops in the lining of the abdomen. Peritoneal Mesothelioma affects more women than pleural Mesothelioma but it is less common.
The symptoms of peritoneal cancer are similar to those that are associated with digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome, making it hard for doctors to diagnose. As a result, early symptoms can be mistaken for normal ailments, and can last for months or even years before a patient is diagnosed with the mesothelioma diagnosis.
A doctor may also perform tests of blood and imaging to rule out any other diseases or conditions that may cause the same symptoms as mesothelioma. These tests will aid in determining the most effective treatment options.
Since peritoneal mesothelioma can develop in the abdominal lining A doctor will conduct biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. A biopsy involves removing small portions of the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies can detect cancerous cells and identify the type of mesothelioma.
If a diagnosis of peritoneal cancer has been confirmed doctors will discuss treatment options with the patient. The goal of any treatment plan is generally to decrease the size and the number of tumors. Surgery is usually the first option, however patients can also look into chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Contrary to chest-based treatments for pleural mesothelioma which are administered via the lung, the peritoneal mesothelioma treatment are injected orally or intravenously. Chemotherapies like injections, such as heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), have helped to prolong the life of many patients. HIPEC is a procedure innovated by mesothelioma pioneer Paul Sugarbaker.
Individuals with peritoneal asbestosis could be able to sue negligent asbestos companies. A mesothelioma lawyer can evaluate the case of a patient and suggest legal options. Contact us today to start. It is free, confidential and there is no obligation. We provide nationwide representation.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. Doctors have limited experience dealing with it, which means that many patients are wrongly diagnosed as having other diseases. A mesothelioma expert can assist patients with the diagnosis and ensure that they receive the proper treatment.
Asbestos exposure is only the one known cause of peritoneal mesthelioma. When asbestos fibers are breathed in or consumed, they may irritate the tissues of the abdomen and cause cells to mutate. This can cause tumors to develop into mesothelioma in the peritoneum in time.
Manufacturing or construction work is often the first location where asbestos exposure starts. These industries could use products that contain asbestos, for example, insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos is also found in household items, such as roofing tiles and flooring. Even very low levels of exposure put a person at risk for mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma is a chronic disease with a long latency period it is possible for patients to be diagnosed with peritoneal cancer decades after their initial exposure.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms can appear similar to other conditions and be mistaken for a hernia digestive problems such as Crohn’s disease or colitis, or other forms of abdominal cancer. Due to this, a lot of patients do not disclose their exposure to asbestos, and they don’t seek medical attention. Doctors may suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A biopsy involves the removal of just a small portion of affected tissue to test. This procedure can reveal whether the mesothelioma is epithelioid (epidermoid) or the sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) or biphasic.
If the mesothelioma is in an early stage doctors can remove all the tumors and offer curative treatment. The specialist can also determine whether the cancer has spread to the abdomen. They may then recommend palliative treatments for the patient. For instance, paracentesis to drain the abdomen of fluid.
If a mesothelioma has advanced, the prognosis becomes poorer. This is because the tumors can become resistant to certain treatments and can develop a recurrence. The doctor might recommend an amalgamation of surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery options include cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This combination is more likely than chemotherapy on its own to improve the prognosis for the patient.
