Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Approximately 10-20 percent of cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesotheliomas). This type of mesothelioma does not respond well to treatment, but is less common than pleural mesothelioma, which affects the membrane covering the lung.
Since it is difficult to treat, peritoneal mesothelioma often results in an early death. The disease attacks and destroys surrounding soft tissue and nerves, causing intense pain to the patient.
The first symptom is abdominal pain. In the initial stage, the pain can be relieved with analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which is designed to curb the spread of the disease and ease the pain.
Another reason why this form of mesothelioma is so difficult to treat is that the symptoms are often dormant and on the surface only after 35-40 years of exposure to asbestos. Peritoneal mesothelioma, as all forms of mesothelioma is mainly caused by exposure to asbestos over a period of time. Construction workers, their families and people living in asbestos-insulated buildings where asbestos fibers are exposed, are more at risk of contact with mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms may include bowel obstruction; abnormal blood clots, anemia and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the face or neck.