Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms
Peritoneal mesothelioma asbestos symptoms often affect the digestive system. This is because
asbestos fibers are consumed and then absorbed in the lining of the stomach called the peritoneum.
As time passes, these fibers cause mutations to healthy peritoneal cell. As a result tumors that are cancerous develop in the peritoneum.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma may be a bit difficult. The initial signs may resemble symptoms of other conditions, like hernia or IBS.
Symptoms
Asbestos fibers can travel through the body when inhaled. From there, they can become trapped in the lining of the abdomen or other organs, causing inflammation and irritation that eventually leads to tumor growth. The process can take years to develop, and many victims do not know that they are exposed to asbestos until it is too late.
Asbestos fibers may get caught in the tissues that line the abdominal cavity, or other organs, causing malignant peritoneal melanoma. It is the second most common form of mesothelioma. However it can be difficult for doctors to identify as early symptoms are nonspecific. It is also possible that they are similar to digestive disorders. Patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma typically experience stomach pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues.
After a physical exam, reviewing medical history and a series tests in the laboratory, mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with peritoneal cancer. A CT scan or X-ray can aid in identifying lumps, or other indications of illness. In some cases mesothelioma patients, doctors will also require a biopsy to make a more precise diagnosis.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma symptoms typically begin in the abdomen and may cause severe abdominal discomfort, bloating and weight loss. They may also cause nausea and vomiting, as well as other digestive issues. The symptoms can also include chest pain, swelling, and fatigue. If these symptoms are present it is crucial that patients seek medical attention since they could be triggered by other illnesses.
Despite the difficulties of diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma, patients typically receive the appropriate treatment to extend their lives. In most cases, the treatment involves surgery and heated chemo.
If you or someone you love have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, contact our mesothelioma attorneys to learn what we can do to help. We can help you connect with a mesothelioma specialist near you and assist you in bringing a lawsuit against the asbestos companies responsible for your exposure. We can also help you receive the financial compensation that you are entitled to. You can begin this process by filling out our free online form. We partner with the top mesothelioma attorneys and can assist you in obtaining the best possible outcome.
Diagnosis
To diagnose peritoneal msothelioma, it is important to have an extensive medical history. Doctors will ask patients about their
asbestos claim exposure and the date it occurred. A physical examination will be performed. Initial tests typically include blood tests and Xrays, as well as CT scans.
Due to the lengthy time of latency, peritoneal cancer is often difficult to identify. Patients may be afflicted by symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea and fever that are similar to other conditions. These nonspecific symptoms can cause confusion for doctors. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, and it can take years before symptoms show up after exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos fibers inhaled or consumed travel into the stomach lining known as the peritoneum. Once in the peritoneum, the asbestos fibers' sharp edges irritate the mesothelium. This irritation leads to inflammation and scar tissue over time. This leads to abnormal cell growth and tumors.
There are no FDA-approved screenings for peritoneal mesothelioma, but researchers are working on developing methods to detect the disease in its earliest stages. The importance of identifying mesothelioma early is that it determines the treatment options.
A mesothelioma expert can perform paracentesis (percutaneous needle biopsy) to take the specimen for lab testing. These tests can determine if the cancer cells are epithelioid (epithelioid), sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) or biphasic within the tumor. This information aids doctors create a treatment plan.
Specialists in mesothelioma are able to determine the stage of a patient. The stage determines the most effective treatment and assists mesothelioma lawyers to determine which asbestos companies are liable in mesothelioma cases.
When a mesothelioma specialist analyzes the results of a biopsy they create an analysis report that contains details on the type of mesothelioma. The report could also include an assessment scale that reveals how the cancer has spread throughout the body. The more advanced the stage of cancer is, the less likely the patient is to respond to treatment. Lawyers can explain the implications of this to the particular case of a client.
Treatment
Asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested and become embedded in the tissue lining the abdomen and other organs. These fibers can cause irritation to cells and destroy DNA. As time passes, this leads to the development of tumors within the lining. Typically, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdomen's lining known as the peritoneum. Peritoneal mesothelioma is rarer than pleural mesothelioma. It usually affects women more.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. This makes it difficult for doctors to recognize the condition. Initial symptoms may be misinterpreted as other conditions, and may persist for a long time, or even years before a mesothelioma is identified.
A doctor may also perform tests of blood and imaging to rule out any other diseases or conditions that could cause the same symptoms as mesothelioma. These tests will also aid in determining the most effective treatment options.
Since peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that develops the abdominal lining, a doctor will perform a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal of small amounts of tissue from the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies can detect cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma.
When a peritoneal Msothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, doctors will discuss the treatment options with patients. The goal of the treatment plan is to decrease the size and number of tumors. Surgery is usually the first option, but patients may also consider chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Unlike the chest-based treatments for pleural mesothelioma that are administered through the lung, peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are injected orally or intravenously. Chemotherapy injections such as heated intraperitoneal therapy (HIPEC), helped extend survival for many patients. HIPEC is a technique that was developed by mesothelioma pioneer Paul Sugarbaker.
Patients who have been diagnosed with peritoneal cancer could be able to file an
asbestos settlement lawsuit against negligent companies. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can review a patient's case and recommend legal options. Contact us today to get started. It's completely free, confidential and there is no commitment. We provide nationwide representation.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. Because doctors aren't experienced in diagnosing patients, many are mistakenly diagnosed with other illnesses. A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients with the diagnosis and ensure that they receive the proper treatment.
The only known cause of mesothelioma peritoneal is exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are breathed in or consumed, they may cause irritation to the tissues of the abdomen and cause cells to mutate. This can cause tumors to develop mesothelioma within the peritoneum in time.
Construction or manufacturing work is often the first location where
asbestos attorney exposure starts. These industries may employ products that contain asbestos, like insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos may also be found in household items like roofing tiles and flooring. Even the smallest amounts of exposure can put someone at risk for mesothelioma. Because mesothelioma is a chronic disease with a long time to develop patients may be diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma years after the initial exposure.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can be diseases. It is often mistaken for hernias, gastrointestinal issues like colitis or Crohn's, and other types of abdominal cancers. This is why many patients do not report their exposure to asbestos and they do not seek medical treatment. A biopsy may be recommended by a specialist to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A biopsy involves removing a small portion of the affected tissue to test. This procedure will reveal the stage of
mesothelioma as well as if it is epithelioid, biphasic, or sarcomatoid.
If mesothelioma isn't spreading it is possible to remove the tumors. They can also provide a curative treatment. The doctor will also be able to determine if the cancer has spread to the abdomen. They will then recommend palliative treatment for the patient. For example, paracentesis to drain the abdomen of fluid.
The prognosis is worsened when a mesothelioma has advanced. The tumors could become resistant to treatment and may recur. The doctor may recommend a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Surgery options include cytoreduction combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This combination is more likely than chemotherapy by itself to improve the outlook of a patient.