Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos: The Good The Bad And The Ugly
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms
The digestive system is often affected by the symptoms of mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. This is due to asbestos fibers being consumed and then absorbed in the lining of the stomach, known as the peritoneum.
In time, these fibers cause mutations in healthy peritoneal cells. In the end cancerous tumors develop in the peritoneum.
Mesothelioma is a difficult condition to recognize. Early signs can be confused with other signs such as hernias or irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Symptoms
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can be absorbed into the lungs and travel throughout the body. The fibers may then become trapped in the linings the abdomen and other organs. This causes inflammation and irritation, which can lead to the development of tumors. The process can take years to develop, and a lot of victims do not know that they are exposed to asbestos until it is too late.
Asbestos fibers can become trapped in the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity or other organs, causing malignant peritoneal melanomas. It is the second most prevalent mesothelioma type, however it can be difficult to recognize because the early symptoms are not specific and similar to those of gastrointestinal conditions. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma frequently have stomach pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems.
After a physical exam, a review of medical history and a series of tests in the laboratory, mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with peritoneal cancer. A CT scan and X-ray can aid in identifying lumps or any other signs of disease. In certain instances doctors who treat mesothelioma will also order a biopsied to get a more accurate diagnosis.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma symptoms typically begin in the abdomen and may cause severe abdominal discomfort, bloating, and weight loss. They may also cause nausea and vomiting as well as other digestive issues. The symptoms can also include chest pain, swelling and fatigue. It is important for victims to seek medical advice when they have these symptoms because they could be caused by something other than mesothelioma.
Despite the difficulties in diagnosing peritoneal msothelioma patients, they can often receive the right treatment to prolong their lives. In the majority of cases, this is done through surgical treatment and heated chemotherapy.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, call our mesothelioma lawyers to learn more about what we can do to help. We can connect you to a mesothelioma specialist near you and assist you in bringing a lawsuit against the asbestos-related companies responsible for your exposure. We can also assist you to receive the financial compensation that you deserve. Complete our online form to begin the process. We can assist you to get the best possible outcome working with the best mesothelioma attorney lawyers (click through the next article).
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma of the peritoneal region is to collect an complete medical history. Doctors will ask about the patient's exposure to asbestos and when it occurred. A physical examination will be performed. Initial tests typically include blood tests and X-rays and CT scans.
Due to the lengthy latency period, peritoneal mesothelioma is often difficult to identify. Patients may experience symptoms such as abdominal nausea, fever and pain that may resemble other ailments. These symptoms that are not specific can cause confusion for doctors. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and it can take decades for symptoms to manifest after asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers inhaled, or consumed are transported into the stomach lining known as the peritoneum. Once in the peritoneum, the asbestos fibers are sharp and irritate the mesothelium. In time the irritation causes inflammation and scar tissue formation. This leads to abnormal cell proliferation and tumors.
Researchers are working on methods to detect the disease early. The stage of mesothelioma will determine the treatment options.
A mesothelioma doctor can perform a paracentesis or percutaneous needle biopsy to collect mesothelioma tumors to be tested in the lab. These tests can help identify the kind of cancer cells (epithelioid biphasic, sarcomatoid, or epithelioid) within the tumor and help doctors determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Specialists in mesothelioma can also determine the stage of the patient. The stage determines the most effective treatments and helps mesothelioma lawyers know which asbestos-related companies are responsible in mesothelioma suits.
When a mesothelioma specialist analyzes the results of a biopsy they produce an a pathology report which contains details on the type of mesothelioma. The report could also include the staging scale, which indicates how far the cancer has spread across the body. The higher the stage of cancer, the less likely the patient will respond to treatment. Lawyers can explain the implications of this to specific clients.
Treatment
Asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten and then absorbed in the tissue lining the abdomen and other organs. These fibers damage DNA and irritate cells. Over time, this leads to the development of tumors within the lining. Typically, peritoneal cancer is found in the lining that covers the abdomen. Peritoneal Mesothelioma has a greater impact on women than pleural Mesothelioma but is less common.
The symptoms of peritoneal cancer are similar to those seen with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's and irritable bowel disease which makes it difficult for doctors to recognize. In the beginning, symptoms are mistaken for normal ailments, and can last for months or years before a patient is diagnosed with the mesothelioma diagnosis.
In addition to an extensive medical history, a physician will run tests for imaging and bloodwork to rule out other illnesses and conditions that could trigger the same symptoms as mesothelioma. These tests can also be used to determine the best treatment options.
A biopsy is conducted by a physician to confirm the diagnosis. This is because peritoneal msothelioma occurs in the abdominal lining. A biopsy involves the removal of small amounts of tissue from the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies can detect cancerous cells as well as identify the mesothelioma type.
After a peritoneal msothelioma is confirmed, doctors will discuss the treatment options with patients. The aim of any treatment plan is typically to reduce the size and quantity of tumors. Surgery is often the first option, however patients can also consider chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Unlike the chest-based treatments for pleural mesothelioma that are administered via the lung, the peritoneal mesothelioma treatment are injected orally or intravenously. Injections of chemotherapies, like heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have been able to extend survival for many patients. HIPEC was invented by mesothelioma expert Paul Sugarbaker.
Individuals with peritoneal asbestosis could be able to bring a lawsuit against negligent asbestos companies. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can review a patient's case and recommend legal options. Contact us now to get started. It's absolutely free, and confidential, and there is no obligation. We offer nationwide representation.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. Because doctors aren't experienced with the disease, many patients are misdiagnosed with other diseases. Fortunately mesothelioma attorney specialists can assist in the diagnostic process and help patients receive the right treatment.
The only known cause of mesothelioma peritoneal is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the abdominal tissues and cell mutations when inhaled or consumed. This can lead to tumors that develop mesothelioma within the peritoneum in time.
Manufacturing or construction work is usually the first area where asbestos exposure starts. These industries may use asbestos-containing materials, such as fireproofing and insulation. Asbestos is also found in household products such as flooring and roofing tiles. Even small amounts of asbestos exposure can cause a person to be at risk of mesothelioma. Because of the lengthy time of latency patients may be diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma for a long time after their first exposure.
Peritoneal mesothelioma lawyer symptoms may appear similar to other diseases and could be mistaken for hernias, gastrointestinal issues like Crohn's disease or colitis, or other forms of abdominal cancer. Because of this, many patients don't report their exposure to asbestos, and they do not seek medical treatment. A biopsy may be recommended by a specialist to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A biopsy involves the removal of just a small portion of affected tissue for testing. This test will reveal whether the mesothelioma has epithelioid (epidermoid) or sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) or biphasic.
If the mesothelioma is in an early stage doctors can remove all the tumors and offer an effective treatment. The doctor can also determine whether the cancer has been able to spread to the abdomen. They may then recommend palliative treatment for the patient. For example, paracentesis to drain abdominal fluid.
When a mesothelioma is advanced and the prognosis is less favorable, it becomes more difficult to treat. This is because the tumors may become resistant to certain treatments and may develop a recurrence. The doctor might recommend the combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Surgery options include cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This combination is more likely than chemotherapy alone to improve the prognosis of the patient.