Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma is neoplasm arising from the serosal lining of the peritoneal and pericardial cavities. Primary tumors arising from the peritoneal mesothelioma are extremely rare. The accurate diagnosis of the diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma is important because it almost invariably has a fatal outcome. In many cases, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is not diagnosed until after surgery or autopsy. The distinction of the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma from tumors metastatic to the serosal membranes can often be made based on the results of histochemical studies.

The most common symptoms of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma are difficulty in breathing, chest pain, or both. Other symptoms include weight loss, fever, night sweats, cough, and a general feeling of not being well, although these symptoms are not as common.

The standard treatment for the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is not curative. Aggressive treatment will enable some patients to experience long-term survival, but it is still unclear whether overall survival rates would be significantly changed by different treatments or combinations of treatments. There are different treatments available for the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, depending upon the state of its diagnosis. For stage one, that is localized malignant peritoneal Mesothelioma, standard treatments are malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, intracavitary mesothelioma, intracavitary chemotherapy following resection.

For stages 2 to 4, that is advanced malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, treatments available are symptomatic treatment to include drainage of effusions, chest tube pleurodesis, or thoracoscopic pleurodesis, palliative surgical resection in selected patients, palliative radiation therapy, single-agent chemotherapy, and multimodality clinical trials.

To date, there are no treatment approaches that have been shown to improve survival or control symptoms for a prolonged period of time. But with the advancement in the field of technology and medicine, there is hope that some day, doctors will be able to defeat the tumor and come out with some life-saving treatment against this dreadful tumor.

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The Diffrent types of Mesothelioma : Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the name given to the cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. This type of cancer is caused by asbestos exposure, and it affects the lining that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.

This disease is sometimes referred to as diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, and this is where the cancer has spread out. Accountable for around ten percent of mesothelioma cases, this type asbestos-related cancer is the second most common (after Pleural Mesothelioma).

There are a number of symptoms for this disease. However, like all other types of mesothelioma, there is a very long latency period, and symptoms may not become evident for decades after exposure. This means that by the time symptoms have begun, it is often already too late to offer any real constructive treatment. Further delay can be caused due to the fact that the symptoms are generally non-specific and can therefore be attributed to a number of more common ailments. Unless your doctor is aware that you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, he or she is likely to look at other options before even contemplating mesothelioma. It is therefore important to let your doctor know of any exposure to this substance.

The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include: abdominal pains and weakness; weight loss; nausea; loss off appetite; abdominal swelling; bowel obstruction. Depending on the location of the tumour, additional problems can be experienced such as breathing problems and severe pains.

Treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma can also vary, and is dependant upon a number of factors. The doctor, once a diagnosis has been made, will make a recommendation based upon details such as: the extent of the cancer and how advanced it is; the patient’s general condition and health; past medical history of the patient; and the patient’s age.

Treatments include:

Surgery: This entails cutting out part of the lining and tissue from the abdomen in order to remove the tumour. Whether or not surgery is performed and how much tissue is removed will depend on how far the cancer has spread and how big the tumour is. It may sometimes be necessary to remove a lung or part of the diaphragm in order for surgery to succeed in removal of the tumour.

Radiation Therapy: This is where high energy x-rays are used to shrink tumours and kill off cancerous cells in the affected area. There are two ways to administer radiation therapy. The first is through external means, where a machine is placed outside the body and emits radiation through the body. The second is by placing a source of radiation directly to the affected area by way of plastic tubes. As well as administering the radiation treatment through the tubes, doctors are also able to administer any required drugs this way.

Chemotherapy: This is where a combination of drugs is used to try and kill off cancer cells. Drugs can be administered by mouth in tablet form, or you may have to have them administered intravenously via needle into a vein or a muscle. The drug can then enter the blood stream and travel through the body, hopefully killing off any cancer cells along the way.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is responsible for many deaths each year. Although it is not the most common form of this cancer, many new cases come to light each year. However, with continued research and clinical trials, it may be possible to one day make this a curable disease.