Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survival Rate

One of the fatal types of mesothelioma is Peritoneal Mesothelioma in which the cancerous cells attack the lining of the abdomen called Peritoneum. Peritoneum is the thin membrane, which shields respective organs of the abdomen and also provides a lubricating liquid to enable the organs to move and work properly. Peritoneal Mesothelioma, which affects this lining, is yet now a comparatively rare disease that accounts for in regards to 1/5 of all mesotheliomas. Its only known cause in the U.S. till date is former exposure to asbestos.

Major symptoms

Though Mesothelioma is neither age nor sex specific, peritoneal Mesothelioma is largely seen in men who are in the age group of 50-70 years. There are a number of sensations or changes of peritoneal mesothelioma most of which get started appearing after 20, 30 or 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. These sensations or changes may include weight loss (however, waist line may increase), pain or swelling in the abdomen, weakness, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, anemia, nausea and fever. Also, liquid often times cumulates in the peritoneal space leading to a condition called Ascites.

Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma

The introductory step towards detection of peritoneal mesothelioma includes X-rays and CT scans. For confirmed diagnosis, nevertheless the doctor needs to do biopsy whereby a piece of tissue is cut from the affected part of the victim’s body and is placed underneath microscope for examination. If the sickness is detected at an early stage it stands better chance of getting cured than the state of diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, where the cancer has already disseminate to respective parts.

The cure

It’s true that peritoneal mesothelioma is fatal and leads to various deaths each year. However, with continued researches, assorted modes of treatments have been embarked upon and in the future there is a reasonable chance of the sickness getting utterly curable. The types of treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

In surgery a percentage of the abdominal tissue is cut out to remove the tumor. At times the doctor may also need to remove a lung or a share of the diaphragm as per the requisite of the surgery. Radiation therapy, the second method, requires the application of high energy X-rays to shrink the tumor and kill the malignant cells. The rays may be applied from an external machine or by placing the radiation source directly to the affected percentage of the body, by means of plastic tubes. Last treatment type is the chemotherapy whereby a combining of drugs is used to kill the cancer cells. The drugs may be administered by mouth in the capsule form or may be applied intravenously thru needle.

However, it is necessary to mention that cost of treating any form of cancer is extravagant and you may consult a mesothelioma lawyer to earn you a handsome compensation from the authority who was responsible for your prior exposure to asbestos.

So learn more regarding peritoneal mesothelioma so that you may initiate the treatment at the very early stage and get cured.