Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms
The digestive system is commonly affected by the symptoms of mesothelioma peritoneal. This is due to asbestos fibers being consumed and are absorbed into the lining of the stomach known as the peritoneum.
In time, these fibers cause changes to healthy peritoneal cell. In the end cancerous tumors develop in the peritoneum.
Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to identify. Early signs can be confused with other signs like hernias or irritable Bowel syndrome.
Signs and symptoms
When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they can be absorbed into the lungs and travel throughout the body. The fibers can then get trapped in the linings of the abdomen and other organs. This can cause irritation and inflammation, which can lead to the development of tumors. The process can take years to develop, and most victims do not know the fact that they’ve been exposed to asbestos until it is too late.
Asbestos fibers can get trapped in the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity or other organs, leading to malignant peritoneal melanoma. It is the second most prevalent type of mesothelioma, but it can be difficult to recognize because the early symptoms aren’t specific and are similar to those of digestive conditions. Patients with peritoneal cancer often experience fatigue, stomach pain and gastrointestinal issues.
After a physical examination and reviewing medical history, and a series of laboratory tests, mesothelioma sufferers are diagnosed with peritoneal cancer. A CT scan and X-ray may help doctors identify lumps or any other signs of illness. In certain cases, doctors who treat mesothelioma may also request a biopsy to get a more accurate diagnosis.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms generally start in the abdominal region and can result in severe abdominal discomfort and weight loss, bloating, stomach fluid accumulation, nausea, vomiting and other digestive issues. Other symptoms include fatigue, chest pain and swelling. If these symptoms are present it is essential that victims seek medical attention since they may be caused by other ailments.
Despite the difficulties of diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma, victims typically receive the appropriate treatment to prolong their lives. In most cases, this requires surgical treatment and heated chemotherapy.
Contact our mesothelioma lawyers today to learn how we can assist you if a family member has been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. We can connect you with mesothelioma specialists in your area and assist you in bringing a suit against the asbestos-related companies responsible for your exposure. We can also help ensure that you receive the financial settlement you are entitled to. Complete our online form to begin the process. We work with top mesothelioma lawyers and can assist you in obtaining the best possible outcome.
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma of the peritoneal region is to collect an exact medical history. Doctors will inquire about the person’s exposure asbestos and when it occurred. They will also conduct a physical examination. X-rays, blood tests and CT scans are often used in the initial work-up.
Due to the long period of latency, peritoneal mesothelioma is often difficult to identify. Patients may experience symptoms like abdominal pain, fever and nausea that resemble other conditions. These nonspecific symptoms can cause confusion for doctors. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer that can take years to show symptoms after asbestos exposure, is a rare condition.
Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers travel to the stomach lining, known as the peritoneum. Asbestos fibers that are sharp can irritate mesothelium when they reach the peritoneum. As time passes the irritation causes inflammation and scar tissue. This leads to abnormal cell proliferation and tumors.
There are no FDA-approved screenings for peritoneal mesothelioma, however, researchers are finding ways to detect the disease in its earliest stages. The process of identifying mesothelioma’s stage is crucial as it determines the treatment options.
A mesothelioma doctor can perform a paracentesis procedure or percutaneous needle biopsy to collect a sample of mesothelioma tumors for lab testing. These tests can help identify the type of cancer cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid, or epithelioid) within the tumor, and assist doctors to develop a treatment strategy.
Specialists in mesothelioma can also determine the stage of a patient. The staging process determines which treatments will be most effective and also helps mesothelioma attorneys know which asbestos companies to pursue in mesothelioma lawsuits.
When a mesothelioma doctor analyzes the results of a biopsy they produce a pathology report that includes specifics about the kind of mesothelioma. The report may also include a staging system that describes how far the cancer has spread within the body. The more advanced the stage, the less likely it is that it will respond to treatment. Lawyers can explain the significance of this for a client’s case.
Treatment
Inhalation or swallowing asbestos fibers are embedded in the tissues that line the abdomen and other organs. The fibers cause irritation to cells and damage DNA. This leads to the development of tumors. Typically, peritoneal cancer develops in the lining that surrounds the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma lawsuit occurs less frequently than pleural mesothelioma and usually affects women more.
The symptoms of peritoneal cancer are similar to those seen with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome, making it hard for doctors to diagnose. Initial symptoms may be mistaken for other ailments and can last for months or even years before mesothelioma is identified.
A physician will also conduct tests of blood and imaging to rule out other conditions or diseases that may cause the same symptoms as mesothelioma lawsuits. These tests can be used to determine the best treatment options.
Because peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdominal lining The doctor will conduct biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal of small portions of the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies are able to reveal cancerous cells, and can determine the type of Mesothelioma.
After a peritoneal msothelioma is confirmed doctors will discuss treatment options with patients. The purpose of any treatment plan is usually to decrease the size and number of tumors. Surgery is usually the first line of defense, however, patients should also talk about the possibility of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Contrary to chest-based treatments for pleural mesothelioma which are administered via the lung, peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are administered intravenously or orally. Injections of chemotherapy like heated intraperitoneal therapy (HIPEC), helped extend survival for many patients. HIPEC was invented by mesothelioma expert Paul Sugarbaker.
Patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma may qualify to file a lawsuit against negligent asbestos companies. A mesothelioma lawyer can evaluate the case of a patient and recommend legal options. Contact us now to get started. Contact us now. It’s completely free, confidential and there’s absolutely no obligation. We provide nationwide representation.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma cancer is a rare form of cancer. The doctors have limited experience with it, and many patients are misdiagnosed as having other illnesses. Fortunately mesothelioma specialists can help with the diagnostic process and get patients the proper treatment.
The sole known cause of mesothelioma of the peritoneal region is asbestos exposure. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can irritate the tissues of the abdomen and cause cells to alter. This may cause tumors to develop mesothelioma within the peritoneum in time.
The exposure to asbestos typically begins with work in construction or manufacturing. These industries could employ asbestos-containing products including fireproofing, insulation. Asbestos can also be present in household items like flooring and roof tiles. Even small amounts of asbestos exposure could cause a person to be at risk of mesothelioma. Because the disease has an extended latency period patients may be diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma decades after their initial exposure.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms could appear similar to other diseases and could be mistaken for a hernia digestive problems such as Crohn’s disease or colitis, or other forms of abdominal cancer. A lot of patients do not disclose their asbestos exposure, and do not seek medical attention. If mesothelioma has been identified experts may suggest an examination for a more precise diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal of the smallest piece of tissue that is examined. This procedure can reveal whether the mesothelioma is epithelioid (epidermoid) or sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) or biphasic.
If the mesothelioma is at an early stage, doctors can remove all the tumors and offer curative treatment. The doctor can also determine if the cancer has spread inside the abdomen. They can then prescribe palliative care for the patient, for example paracentesis that drains fluid from the abdomen.
The outlook for patients is worse when a mesothelioma has progressed. The reason for this is that the tumors can become resistant to certain treatments and may develop a recurrence. The specialist may suggest a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery options include cytoreduction combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This combination is more likely than chemotherapy alone to improve the prognosis of the patient.