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Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen. It occurs in the tissues lining the abdominal cavity that contain a fluid that enables the organs to move and work properly. It is a cancer, which is associated with asbestos exposure, a mineral belonging to the amphibole group used in making fireproof articles. Asbestos exposure can cause severe health complications. Peritoneal mesothelioma is sometimes also referred as diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, as this is the place where the cancer spreads out. Among asbestos related diseases, peritoneal mesothelioma is the most common cancer. Peritoneal mesothelioma can prove fatal in many circumstances if proper diagnosis and treatment is not done. The latency period is very long (10 - 50 years) and most of the time it is diagnosed when this cancer disease is well spread into the body. Mesothelioma cancer can affect any part and organ of the body if not detected on time. The mesothelioma cancer symptoms may not appear soon after exposure to asbestos. It may take a long latency period and symptoms may be clear after a long time. Asbestos is the main cause for people developing peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos is a material used in shipyards and industries. Asbestos adds to the durability and fire resistance quality and gives strength to products and protects them against corrosion. Inhalation of asbestos can be serious and fatal in many cases. It causes the scar tissues to develop on lower lobes of both lungs, leading to minor cuts and lacerations in tissue. It can impair lung elasticity and the lung's ability to sufficiently exchange gases. One of the major obstacles in diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma lies in its symptoms resembling flu with fever and other symptoms. Many patients and doctors are unable to recognize the deadly disease unless the tumors of peritoneal mesothelioma cause severe adnominal swelling and pain. The diagnosis may be based on CT scan or X- ray. In both these methods of diagnosis, detailed images of the body are taken in which the complete picture of the body becomes clear and the doctor is able to identify where the cancerous cells are located. Sometimes, an exploratory surgery is also performed based on the doctor's recommendation. Also, a biopsy is carried out in which a sample of the cells is taken from the affected portion of the body, and it tested under the microscope to check for abnormal growth. A blood test is also done to rule out possibilities of other diseases and ailments. The doctor will also carry out a complete physical examination and make certain if you have had any exposure to asbestos. Your doctor may not be able to grasp the disease fully and look for other options, unless your doctor is aware that you have been exposed to asbestos in the past.
There are various ways for treating peritoneal mesothelioma that may be introduced by the doctor, as he feels necessary. It involves cutting out the part of the lining or the tissue from the abdomen in order to remove the cancerous tumor. The size of the tissue removed depends upon the doctor and the intensity of the cancer. Sometimes, a lung or some other organ may be removed to carry out a successful removal of cancer. In chemotherapy treatment, a combination of different drugs is administered to the patients to kill the cancerous cells. Drugs can be either taken by mouth or they can be administered intravenously via injections into the veins. The drug travels in the body and works on the affected cells killing cancerous cells. Arthritis Drug has shown promising effects for Mesothelioma patients. The FDA has approved a combination of Alimta-Cisplatin for treatment of asbestos-related cancer.
Although, it's a rare form of cancer, it is caused due to exposure to asbestos and people working an in industry where asbestos is handled, should be very careful about their health. They should make annual visits to their doctor so that any hint of cancer disease can be dealt with in the first stages. And in radiation therapy, high energy X-rays are used to shrink the tumors and kill the cancerous cells in the affected parts of the body. Radiation therapy may be administered by external means in which radiation is passed on to the body. Also, sources of radiation can be placed inside the affected areas with help of plastic tubes, which help in cancer treatment.
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