Peritoneal mesothelioma is triggered mainly due to direct exposure to asbestos and it is noticed prevalent in men than women. It accounts to about one-fifth of all reported cases of mesothelioma cancer. The lining of abdominal cavity is affected by
peritoneal mesothelioma and its symptoms appear only after twenty to thirty years of such exposure. If best medical attention is not given promptly, it can turn out to be terrible. A tissue biopsy can lead to an effective diagnosis whereas baffling results will be produced by methods like CT scan.
In some subjects a standard check up regarding problems like gall bladder, pelvic mass, hernia, etc will reveal peritoneal mesothelioma. In a few occasions the clients may have an uneasy feeling before the actual signs and symptoms starts to appear. Pain in abdomen, collection of fluid in abdomen, formation of lumps, body malaise, fever, improper functioning of digestive system, weight loss for no apparent reason, anemia etc are the clinical symptoms of the cancer.
It is possible to distinguish the various stages of this cancer in the lymph nodes, tumor and metastasis system (TNM), used to determine general cancers. Localized abrasions are visible in the first level and they can be extracted easily. Aggressive therapies are used in the second stage to cure the illness which affects the abdominal wall on peritoneal and organ surfaces. The infection stays within the abdominal cavity in the third stage, but metastasize inside important organs like the liver and colon. In the fourth stage, it metastasize to the adjacent areas from the abdominal cavity.
In many peritoneal mesothelioma cases, strong medication and other treatment procedures are seen to be effective. Innumerable side effects are associated with chemotherapy and other medications. Adequate intake of nutrients and other vitamins will help the body to manage the adverse effects to some extent.
The success of treatment also depends on the age and physical conditions of the patients with
peritoneal mesothelioma. The usual multimodality treatment followed by the physicians is debulking surgery combined with intra-peritoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC), intraperitoneal chemotherapy and radiation. This procedure helps to eliminate the entire tumor which is visible. The method of treatment can be lengthy and complex for the patients to undergo. Diagnosis of the disease at the right time along with starting the treatment process at the earnest will help to cure the disease.