Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms
Peritoneal mesothelioma asbestos symptoms often affect the digestive system. This is because asbestos fibers are taken in and are then embedded within the lining of your stomach called the peritoneum.
As time passes, these fibers trigger mutations in healthy peritoneal cells. Tumors that are cancerous develop in the peritoneum as a result.
Mesothelioma is a challenging condition to identify. The early signs may be confused with other signs such as hernias or irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos fibers may travel through the body after inhalation. The fibers may then become trapped in the linings the abdomen and other organs. This causes irritation and inflammation, which results in the development of tumors. This process can take years to develop and many patients are unaware of their asbestos exposure until it's too late.
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma occurs when asbestos fibers are trapped in the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity as well as other organs. It is the second-most common mesothelioma type. However it is often difficult for doctors to diagnose because the early symptoms are not specific. It is also possible that they are similar to gastrointestinal conditions. Patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma typically have stomach pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues.
Mesothelioma victims are typically diagnosed with peritoneal cancer after conducting a physical examination, a medical history review and a series of tests in the laboratory. An X-ray or CT scan can help doctors find any lumps or symptoms of illness. In some cases, doctors who treat mesothelioma will also require a biopsy to obtain a more precise diagnosis.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms usually begin in the abdomen and can cause severe abdominal discomfort, bloating, weight loss, fluid buildup in the belly, nausea, vomiting and other digestive issues. Other symptoms include fatigue, chest pain and swelling. If symptoms like these occur it is crucial to seek medical attention as they may be caused by other ailments.
Despite the difficulty of diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma, patients typically receive the appropriate treatment to extend their lives. In the majority of cases, this involves surgery and heated chemotherapy.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, call our mesothelioma attorneys to find out how we can assist. We can connect you to mesothelioma specialists in your area and assist you in filing a lawsuit against the asbestos companies responsible for your exposure. We can also help you get the financial compensation you deserve. You can start this process by filling out our no-cost online form. We can assist you in obtaining the best possible outcome working with top mesothelioma attorneys (read the article).
Diagnosis
The first step in identifying peritoneal mesothelioma is to get an accurate medical history. Doctors will inquire about the person's exposure to asbestos and the time it occurred. They also conduct a physical exam. Blood tests, X-rays, and CT scans are typically used in the initial work-up.
Peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers is a difficult cancer to identify due to its long time of latency. Patients might experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and fever that are similar to those of other conditions. These non-specific symptoms can cause confusion for doctors. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and it can take years for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers inhaled or consumed move into the stomach lining known as the peritoneum. Asbestos fibers that are sharp irritate mesothelium when they reach the peritoneum. Over time the irritation causes inflammation and scar tissue. This leads to abnormal cell growth and tumors.
There are no FDA-approved screenings for peritoneal mesothelioma, however, researchers are developing ways to identify the disease in its earliest stages. The stage of mesothelioma determines the treatment options.
A mesothelioma specialist can perform a paracentesis procedure or percutaneous needle biopsy to collect mesothelioma tumours for laboratory testing. These tests can reveal the type of cancer cells (epithelioid or sarcomatoid) within the tumor and help doctors come up with the best treatment plan.
Mesothelioma specialists can also assess the mesothelioma stage of a patient. Staging determines which treatments might be most effective and also helps mesothelioma lawyers know which asbestos companies to pursue in mesothelioma lawsuits.
When a mesothelioma specialist analyzes the results of a biopsy, they produce an a pathology report which contains details about the type of mesothelioma. The report can also include a staging system that describes how the cancer has spread in the body. The higher the stage, the less likely it is to respond to treatment. Lawyers can explain the implications of this for a particular client's case.
Treatment
When swallowed or inhaled, asbestos fibers become embedded in the tissues that line the abdomen and other organs. These fibers damage DNA and cause irritation to cells. In time, this can lead to the development of tumors within the lining. The majority of the time, peritoneal cancer develops in the lining that surrounds the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural mesothelioma, and typically affects women more.
The symptoms of peritoneal cancer are similar to those that are associated with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease and irritable colon disease, making it hard for doctors to recognize. Initial symptoms may be mistaken for other ailments, and may persist for a long time, or even years before mesothelioma is diagnosed.
A doctor may also perform tests of blood and imaging to rule out any other diseases or conditions that could cause mesothelioma-like symptoms. These tests can be used to determine the most effective treatment options.
Since peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that develops the abdominal lining The doctor will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of removing small samples from the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies are able to reveal cancerous cells, and identify the type of Mesothelioma.
If a diagnosis of peritoneal cancer has been established, doctors will discuss options for treatment with the patient. The goal of a treatment plan is to reduce the size and number of tumors. Surgery is usually the first option, but patients can also consider chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
In contrast to chest-based therapies for pleural mesothelioma, which are administered via the lung, the peritoneal mesothelioma treatment are injected orally or intravenously. Injections of chemotherapy, such as heated intraperitoneal therapy (HIPEC) has helped prolong the survival of many patients. HIPEC is a technique that was developed by mesothelioma pioneer Paul Sugarbaker.
Individuals suffering from peritoneal cancer could be able to sue negligent asbestos companies. A knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney can review a patient's case and recommend legal options. Contact us today to begin. Contact us today. It's completely free, confidential and there's no commitment. We provide nationwide representation.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma cancer is rare. Because doctors lack experience, many patients are misdiagnosed with other diseases. A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients identify the cause and ensure they receive appropriate treatment.
The only known cause of peritoneal mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the abdominal tissues and cell changes when inhaled or consumed. As time passes, this could cause tumors to form mesothelioma of peritoneum.
Construction or manufacturing work is often the first place where asbestos exposure begins. These industries could employ asbestos-containing products including fireproofing, insulation. Asbestos may also be found in household items like flooring and roof tiles. Even the smallest amount of exposure to asbestos can put someone at risk of developing mesothelioma. Because of the long time of latency, victims may be diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma many decades after their first exposure.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms could be similar to those of other conditions and can be mistaken for hernias, digestive problems such as Crohn's disease or colitis, or other types of abdominal cancer. Many patients don't disclose their asbestos exposure, and do not seek medical attention. If mesothelioma is found doctors may recommend the procedure of a biopsy to make an precise diagnosis. A biopsy involves removing a small portion of the affected tissue for testing. This procedure can reveal the stage of mesothelioma, and if it is epithelioid, biphasic, or sarcomatoid.
If the mesothelioma is in an early stage doctors can remove all the tumors and offer the best treatment. The doctor will also be able to determine if the cancer has spread inside the abdomen. They will then recommend palliative treatment for the patient. For instance, paracentesis to drain the abdomen of fluid.
If mesothelioma progresses the chances of survival are less. The tumors may become resistant to treatment and then recur. The specialist may suggest a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery options include cytoreduction along with hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy. This combination is more likely than chemotherapy on its own to improve the prognosis for a patient.