subject: What Is Peritoneal Mesothelioma? [print this page] Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused mainly due to the exposure to asbestos and it is found common 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 proper medical attention is not given promptly, it can turn out to be disastrous. A tissue biopsy can lead to an effective diagnosis whereas baffling results will be produced by methods like CT scan.
In some patients a normal check up regarding problems like gall bladder, pelvic mass, hernia etc. will reveal peritoneal mesothelioma. In a few cases the patients may have an uncomfortable feeling before the actual symptoms begin to appear. Pain in abdomen, collection of fluid in abdomen, formation of lumps, fatigue, 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 identify the various stages of this cancer in the lymph nodes, tumor and metastases system (TNM), used to determine general cancers. Localized abrasions are visible in the first level and they can be removed easily. Strong therapies are used in the second stage to cure the disease which affects the abdominal cavity on peritoneal and organ surfaces. The infection stays within the abdominal cavity in the third stage, but spreads inside important organs like liver and colon. In the fourth stage, it spreads to the adjacent areas from the abdominal cavity.
In many peritoneal mesothelioma cases, strong medication and other treatment procedures are found to be effective. Innumerable side effects are associated with chemotherapy and other medications. Sufficient intake of nutrients and other vital minerals will help the body to manage the side effects to some extent.
The success of treatment also depends on the age and physical conditions of the patients. The common multimodality treatment followed by the physicians is debulking surgery combined with intra-peritoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC), intraperitoneal chemotherapy and radiation. This procedure helps to destroy the entire tumor which is visible. The process of treatment can be lengthy and difficult 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.
by: Christopher Smith
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