Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms
Peritoneal mesothelioma asbestos symptoms typically affect the digestive system. This is because
asbestos lawsuits fibers are consumed and then absorbed within the lining of your stomach called the peritoneum.
As time passes, these fibers cause changes to healthy peritoneal cells. In the end, cancerous tumors form in the peritoneum.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be difficult. Early signs may be confused with symptoms of other conditions such as hernias or irritable Bowel syndrome.
Signs and symptoms
Asbestos fibers can move through the body when breathed. From there, they may be trapped in the lining of the abdomen or other organs, creating inflammation and irritation that can lead to the growth of tumors. This process can take decades to develop, and most sufferers are unaware that they are exposed to asbestos until it is too late.
Malignant peritoneal melanoma develops when asbestos fibers get trapped in the tissues that line the abdominal cavity and other organs. It is the second most common type of mesothelioma, but it can be difficult to identify because the initial symptoms are not specific and similar to those of digestive diseases. Patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma typically suffer from stomach pain, fatigue, and digestive issues.
After a physical examination, reviewing medical history, and a series of laboratory tests, mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with peritoneal cancer. A CT scan and X-ray may help doctors identify lumps or any other signs of disease. In certain cases doctors who treat mesothelioma may also request a biopsy to make a more precise diagnosis.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms usually begin in the abdominal area and can lead to severe abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss, fluid buildup in the belly, nausea, vomiting and other digestive problems. The symptoms can also include chest pain, swelling and fatigue. It is crucial for patients to seek a medical diagnosis in the event of these symptoms because they could be caused by something other than mesothelioma.
Despite the difficulty in diagnosing peritoneal cancer, patients can often receive the proper treatment to extend their lives. In most cases, this requires surgical treatment and heated chemotherapy.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, call our mesothelioma attorneys to learn what we can do to help. We can assist you in finding a mesothelioma expert near you who can help you file an asbestos lawsuit against the companies that are responsible for your exposure. We can also help ensure that you get the financial compensation you deserve. You can start this process by filling out our no-cost online form. We can assist you to get the best outcome possible by working with the best mesothelioma lawyers.
Diagnosis
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma peritoneal is to obtain an complete medical history. Doctors will ask the patient about their exposure to asbestos and when it occurred. They may also conduct a physical examination. Initial work-ups often include blood tests and X-rays and CT scans.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is difficult to recognize due to its long latency period. Patients might experience symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain and fever that are similar to those of other conditions. These nonspecific symptoms may cause confusion for doctors. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can take years to manifest symptoms following exposure to asbestos is a rare illness.
Inhaling or ingestion of asbestos fibers move into the stomach lining, called the peritoneum. Asbestos fibers that are sharp can irritate mesothelium after they reach the peritoneum. This irritation leads to scar tissue and inflammation over time. This causes abnormal cell growth and tumors.
There are no FDA-approved screenings for peritoneal mesothelioma, but researchers are working on developing methods to detect the disease in its early stages. The stage of mesothelioma is the basis for the treatment options.
A mesothelioma specialist can perform paracentesis (percutaneous needle biopsy) to take the specimen for lab testing. These tests can help identify the kind of cancer cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic) within the tumor and help doctors determine an appropriate treatment strategy.
Specialists in mesothelioma are able to determine the stage of a patient. The staging process determines which treatments will be the most effective and help mesothelioma lawyers know which asbestos-related companies to sue in
mesothelioma lawsuit lawsuits.
When a mesothelioma expert reviews the results from the biopsy and creates a pathology report that includes information about the type mesothelioma. The report could also include a staging system that describes how the cancer has spread within the body. The more advanced the stage of cancer is, the less likely the patient is to respond to treatment. A lawyer can explain the implications of this for the particular case of a client.
Treatment
When swallowed or inhaled, asbestos fibers become embedded in the tissues that line the abdomen and other organs. The fibers harm DNA and can cause irritation to cells. This leads to the development of tumors. Typically, peritoneal cancer develops in the lining that surrounds the abdomen. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is more prevalent in women than pleural Mesothelioma but is less common.
The symptoms of peritoneal cancer are similar to those that are associated with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome and makes it difficult for doctors to recognize. Because of this, early symptoms are mistaken for normal ailments and may last for months or even years before a patient receives an mesothelioma-related diagnosis.
In addition to a thorough medical history, a physician will perform imaging and blood tests to rule out other illnesses and conditions that could cause the same symptoms as mesothelioma. These tests can also be used to determine the most effective treatment options.
A biopsy is carried out by a physician to confirm the diagnosis. This is because peritoneal msothelioma occurs in the abdominal liner. A biopsy involves removing small portions of the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies may reveal cancerous cells and identify the type of mesothelioma.
Once a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, doctors will discuss the options for treatment with the patient. The goal of any treatment plan is generally to decrease the size and 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 which 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 life of many patients. HIPEC is a method that was invented by mesothelioma pioneer Paul Sugarbaker.
Patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma may be eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit -
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mesothelioma attorney will evaluate a patient's situation and recommend legal options. Contact us today to get started. Contact us now. It's free, private and there's absolutely no obligation. We offer nationwide representation.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. The doctors have limited experience dealing with it, which means that many patients are misdiagnosed as having other illnesses. A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients with the diagnosis and ensure they receive the right treatment.
The only known cause of peritoneal mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to abdominal tissues as well as cell mutations when consumed or inhaled. Over time, this can cause tumors to form mesothelioma of peritoneum.
Construction or manufacturing work is often the first place where asbestos exposure starts. These industries can employ asbestos-containing products including fireproofing, insulation. Asbestos can also be found in household products, such as roof tiles and flooring. Even very low levels of exposure put a person at risk of developing mesothelioma. Due to the long period of latency the victims could be diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma for a long time after their first exposure.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms could resemble those of other conditions and can be mistaken for a hernia digestive problems such as colitis or Crohn's disease or other types of abdominal cancer. Because of this, many patients do not disclose their exposure to asbestos, and they do not seek medical care. Doctors may suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A biopsy involves removing just a small portion of affected tissue to test. This test will reveal whether the mesothelioma has epithelioid (epidermoid), the sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) or biphasic.
If mesothelioma has reached an early stage, doctors can remove all the tumors and provide curative treatment. The doctor can also determine whether the cancer has spread to the abdomen. They can then prescribe palliative treatment for the patient, for example paracentesis to drain the abdominal fluid.
The outlook for patients is worse when mesothelioma is advanced. The reason for this is that the tumors are able to become resistant to certain treatments and can develop a recurrence. The doctor might suggest a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Surgical options include cytoreduction surgery along with hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy. This combination is more likely than chemotherapy by itself to improve the prognosis of the patient.
