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.


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In The News:


A rare survival story in a brush with a rare and deadly cancer
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - Aug 27, 2008
The diagnosis was mesothelioma -- a rare and often fatal form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Now, just over 2 1/2 years after undergoing ...

Several Mesothelioma Lawsuits Filed in Illinois
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - 21 hours ago
The estate of Mary Lindsey has filed an asbestos-related lawsuit claiming she died from lung cancer after secondary asbestos exposure. ...

$4M Awarded to Ambler for Cleanup of Old Asbestos Factory
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - 21 hours ago
Asbestos, which is known to cause malignant mesothelioma, was manufactured cheaply and the substance features many desirable physical and chemical ...

New Statesman

Asbestos: The lies that killed
New Statesman, UK - Aug 28, 2008
The T&N files first refer to asbestos cancer in Rochdale in the 1930s. By 1947, the national factory inspector's report emphasised the incidence of lung ...

Asbestos Mesothelioma: Creating a Better Life Proved Fatal
Lawyers and Settlements - Aug 27, 2008
"I have a book on asbestos," Frances said. "My husband had every symptom it describes for asbestosis and mesothelioma. I am short of breath, ...

Lufkin, Texas schools to become asbestos free
Mesothelioma News, TX - 2 hours ago
When airborne, asbestos fibers may be breathed in and trapped in the lungs, resulting in asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. So, when the school system ...

City of Toronto undertakes asbestos cleanup after propane explosion
Mesothelioma News, TX - Aug 28, 2008
Asbestos is hazardous when released into the air because when its fibers are inhaled into the lungs, they may become lodged there, causing asbestosis, lung ...

Los Angeles Times

Business dealings of Biden family could be problematic for him
Los Angeles Times, CA - Aug 28, 2008
... successful asbestos litigation firms. Its says it has obtained more than $1 billion for clients, many of whom suffered from mesothelioma, a deadly lung ...

Building.co.uk

UCATT targets ministers in pleural plaque campaign
Building.co.uk, UK - Aug 28, 2008
... caused by a heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos. Sufferers have a greatly increased chance of contracting the incurable lung disease mesothelioma. ...

Asbestos-related disease sufferers receive R147,5m
Creamer Media's Mining Weekly, South Africa - 20 hours ago
There has been an increase in the incidence of mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer claimants. “This is a worrying factor and until we get a grip ...
lung mesothelioma asbestos - Google News
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