Mesothelioma of the peritoneal lining is very rare and poses a challenge to diagnose as well as treat. Unfortunately, it often becomes fatal.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the abdominal lining, which serves to protect the abdominal organs and secretes fluids allowing for the organs to move smoothly. The cancer of the peritoneum leads to swelling of the abdomen and kills the healthy cells of the cavity while allowing for the growth of cancer cells.
Causes of Mesothelioma
The most common cause of peritoneal mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Lodged asbestos in the lining of the abdomen has been proven to be the cause of the cancer, although it is not understood how the lining becomes infested. The most accepted theory is that dust of the asbestos is ingested through the individual’s food which allows the fibers to easily enter the abdomen. This leads to inflammation and, eventually, cancer.
Latency Period
After the initial asbestos exposure, the cancer often does not manifest itself for up to 50 years. Despite the long latency period, this form of cancer is the most rapidly fatal. At the start of the disease, there are rarely any symptoms of the cancer. The first symptom is typically pain in the abdomen, which can often be mistaken for other conditions therefore delaying correct diagnosis. Later symptoms include swelling of the abdomen, loss of weight, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, as well as obstruction of the bowels, fever, and hernias.
Diagnosing Mesothelioma
In order to obtain a diagnosis, the physician will conduct physical examinations, review medical histories, as well as conduct imaging scans such as CT and MRI scans. After the location of the tumor is found, a biopsy will be performed in order to determine whether or not the tumor is cancerous. Unlike pleural mesothelioma, there is no current system for determining the stage of the cancer. Instead, most physicians go straight to the treatment options. Unfortunately, radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical removal have not been shown to be useful when used separately.
Treating the Disease
The most useful treatment options found are a combination of traditional therapies. Radiation can be used to directly target the cancer cells in order to relieve pain and decrease swelling in the abdomen. After the radiation is complete, chemotherapy drugs are then inserted into the abdomen to shrink the tumor. Third, surgery can be used to remove the remaining tumor. Chemotherapy may then again be used. If the diagnosis is made early, these treatments may be effective although a cure is rarely possible. Instead, the goal is often the management of pain and relief of the symptoms.
Ongoing Research
Research studies as well as clinical trials are currently in process in order to determine a way to increase the likelihood of developing a cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. Currently, the only chance of cure is to find the cancer very early in its stages. Persons who have undergone exposure to asbestos should receive frequent checkups in order to decrease the patient’s risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions and diseases.
References:
American Cancer Society
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the abdominal lining, which serves to protect the abdominal organs and secretes fluids allowing for the organs to move smoothly. The cancer of the peritoneum leads to swelling of the abdomen and kills the healthy cells of the cavity while allowing for the growth of cancer cells.
Causes of Mesothelioma
The most common cause of peritoneal mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Lodged asbestos in the lining of the abdomen has been proven to be the cause of the cancer, although it is not understood how the lining becomes infested. The most accepted theory is that dust of the asbestos is ingested through the individual’s food which allows the fibers to easily enter the abdomen. This leads to inflammation and, eventually, cancer.
Latency Period
After the initial asbestos exposure, the cancer often does not manifest itself for up to 50 years. Despite the long latency period, this form of cancer is the most rapidly fatal. At the start of the disease, there are rarely any symptoms of the cancer. The first symptom is typically pain in the abdomen, which can often be mistaken for other conditions therefore delaying correct diagnosis. Later symptoms include swelling of the abdomen, loss of weight, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, as well as obstruction of the bowels, fever, and hernias.
Diagnosing Mesothelioma
In order to obtain a diagnosis, the physician will conduct physical examinations, review medical histories, as well as conduct imaging scans such as CT and MRI scans. After the location of the tumor is found, a biopsy will be performed in order to determine whether or not the tumor is cancerous. Unlike pleural mesothelioma, there is no current system for determining the stage of the cancer. Instead, most physicians go straight to the treatment options. Unfortunately, radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical removal have not been shown to be useful when used separately.
Treating the Disease
The most useful treatment options found are a combination of traditional therapies. Radiation can be used to directly target the cancer cells in order to relieve pain and decrease swelling in the abdomen. After the radiation is complete, chemotherapy drugs are then inserted into the abdomen to shrink the tumor. Third, surgery can be used to remove the remaining tumor. Chemotherapy may then again be used. If the diagnosis is made early, these treatments may be effective although a cure is rarely possible. Instead, the goal is often the management of pain and relief of the symptoms.
Ongoing Research
Research studies as well as clinical trials are currently in process in order to determine a way to increase the likelihood of developing a cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. Currently, the only chance of cure is to find the cancer very early in its stages. Persons who have undergone exposure to asbestos should receive frequent checkups in order to decrease the patient’s risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions and diseases.
References:
American Cancer Society
U.S. National Library of Medicine
