Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms

The digestive system is often affected by the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. This is due to asbestos fibers being inhaled and then become a part of the stomach's lining, called the peritoneum.

As time passes these fibers can cause changes in healthy peritoneal cells. As a result tumors that are cancerous develop in the peritoneum.

Mesothelioma is a difficult condition to diagnose. Early signs may be confused with other symptoms such as hernias or irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Signs and symptoms

When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they can enter the lungs and circulate throughout the body. The fibers may then become stuck in the linings of the abdomen and other organs. This can cause inflammation and irritation that results in the development of tumors. This process can take decades to develop, and most victims are unaware that they are exposed to asbestos until it is too late.

Asbestos fibers can get trapped in the tissues that line the abdominal cavity, or other organs, which can cause malignant peritoneal melanomas. It is the second most frequent type of mesothelioma, but it can be difficult to diagnose because early symptoms are nonspecific and similar to those of gastrointestinal conditions. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma frequently have stomach pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal problems.

After a physical examination followed by reviewing medical history and a series laboratory tests, mesothelioma sufferers are diagnosed with peritoneal cancer. A CT scan and X-ray can help doctors detect lumps or any other signs of disease. In certain instances, doctors who treat mesothelioma may also request a biopsy to make a more precise diagnosis.

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms typically begin in the abdomen and can cause severe abdominal pain, weight loss, bloating, fluid buildup in the belly nausea, vomiting, and other digestive problems. Other symptoms include fatigue, chest pain and swelling. If these symptoms are present it is crucial to seek medical attention because they may be caused by other conditions.

Despite the difficulty of diagnosing peritoneal cancer, patients can often receive the proper treatment to prolong their lives. In most cases, this is done through surgery and heated chemotherapy.

If you or someone you love have been diagnosed with peritoneal cancer, contact our mesothelioma attorneys to learn more about how we can help. We can help you connect with mesothelioma specialists near you, who can assist you in filing a lawsuit against the asbestos companies responsible for your exposure. We can also assist you in ensuring that you get the financial compensation you deserve. Fill out our online form to begin the process. We can assist you in obtaining the best possible outcome working with top mesothelioma attorneys.

Diagnosis

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma of the peritoneal region is to collect an exact medical history. Doctors will inquire about the patient's exposure to asbestos and when it happened. They may also conduct a physical exam. Initial work-ups often include X-rays and blood tests, as well as CT scans.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify due to its long period of latency. Patients may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and fever that are similar to other conditions. These nonspecific symptoms may cause confusion for doctors. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that can take years to manifest symptoms after asbestos exposure, is a rare disease.

Asbestos fibers inhaled or consumed are transported to the stomach lining, known as the peritoneum. Asbestos fibers are sharp and irritate mesothelium when they reach the peritoneum. In time, this irritation causes inflammation and scar tissue. This leads to abnormal cell proliferation and tumors.

There are no FDA-approved screening tests for peritoneal mesothelioma however, researchers are developing ways to identify the disease in its earliest stages. The stage of mesothelioma lawsuit will determine the treatment options.

A mesothelioma doctor can conduct a paracentesis or percutaneous needle biopsy to take a sample of mesothelioma tumors to be tested in the lab. These tests can reveal the type of cancer cells (epithelioid or sarcomatoid) within the tumor, and assist doctors to determine a treatment plan.

Mesothelioma specialists also evaluate a patient's stage of mesothelioma. The stage determines the most effective treatment and also helps mesothelioma lawyers understand which asbestos companies are accountable in mesothelioma cases.

When a mesothelioma expert analyzes the results from the biopsy and creates a pathology document which contains details about the mesothelioma type. The report could also include the staging system which outlines how far the cancer has spread in the body. The more advanced the stage of cancer the less likely a patient will be able to respond to treatment. Lawyers can explain the significance of this for the client's case.

Treatment

Asbestos fibers are inhaled or eaten and then absorbed in the tissue that lines the abdomen and other organs. These fibers damage DNA and cause irritation to cells. As time passes, this leads to the development of tumors within the lining. The majority of the time, peritoneal cancer develops in the lining that covers the abdomen. Peritoneal Mesothelioma affects more women than pleural Mesothelioma however, it is less prevalent.

The symptoms of peritoneal cancer are similar to those associated with digestive disorders like Crohn's disease and irritable colon disease and makes it difficult for doctors to identify. Early symptoms can be misinterpreted as other conditions, and may persist for months or even years before mesothelioma is identified.

A doctor will also conduct imaging and blood tests to rule out other conditions or diseases that may cause mesothelioma-like symptoms. These tests can aid in determining the best treatment options.

A biopsy is carried out by a doctor to confirm the diagnosis. This is because peritoneal msothelioma occurs in the abdominal lining. A biopsy is the process of removing small amounts of tissue from the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies can reveal cancerous cells and determine the type of mesothelioma.

When a peritoneal Msothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, doctors will discuss the treatment options with patients. The goal of any treatment plan is generally to decrease the size and the number of tumors. Surgery is usually the first option, however patients may also consider chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Contrary to chest-based treatment for pleural Mesothelioma that is administered via the lungs, the treatment for peritoneal Mesothelioma is administered either intravenously or orally. Injections of chemotherapies, like heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have helped to prolong the lives of many patients. HIPEC is a technique that was developed by mesothelioma pioneer Paul Sugarbaker.

Patients who have been diagnosed with peritoneal cancer may be eligible to file a lawsuit against negligent asbestos companies. A knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney will review the case of a patient and recommend legal options. Contact us now to begin. It's absolutely free, and confidential, and there is no obligation. We offer nationwide representation.

Prognosis

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. Because doctors lack experience with the disease, many patients are misdiagnosed as having other illnesses. Fortunately, a mesothelioma specialist can aid in the diagnosis process and help patients receive the proper treatment.

The only known cause of mesothelioma peritoneal is exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are breathed in or ingested, they can cause irritation to the abdominal tissues and cause cells to change. As time passes, this could cause tumors to form mesothelioma of peritoneum.

The exposure to asbestos usually is a result of working in manufacturing or construction. These industries could employ products that contain asbestos, for example, insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos can also be present in household items like flooring and roof tiles. Even very low levels of exposure put a person at risk of developing mesothelioma. Because of the long latency period of the disease the victims could be diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma for a long time after their initial exposure.

Peritoneal mesothelioma lawsuits symptoms could resemble those of other conditions and can be mistaken for hernias, gastrointestinal issues like colitis or Crohn's disease or other types of abdominal cancer. Because of this, many patients don't report their exposure to asbestos and they don't seek medical attention. If mesothelioma is found experts may suggest an examination for a more precise diagnosis. A biopsy involves the removal of only a small amount of affected tissue to test. This procedure can reveal whether the mesothelioma has epithelioid (epidermoid), the sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) or biphasic.

If the mesothelioma is in an early stage, doctors can remove all of the tumors and provide curative treatment. The doctor will also be able to determine if the cancer has spread to the abdomen. They can then prescribe palliative care for the patient, such as paracentesis, which drains the abdominal fluid.

If mesothelioma progresses and the prognosis is less favorable, it becomes more difficult to treat. The cancers can become resistant to certain treatment and then recur. The doctor might recommend a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Surgical options include cytoreduction surgery along with hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy. This combination is more likely than chemotherapy alone to improve the outlook of patients.