Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the second-most common form of asbestos-related cancer. It accounts for about 10-15% of diagnosed mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the lining of the abdomen, or the peritoneum.

While in pleural mesothelioma the asbestos fibers invade the lungs when they are inhaled, it is unclear how asbestos fibers are able to enter the peritoneum. Doctors and researchers have two theories. The first believes that the asbestos fibers are caught and held in the mucus of the mouth and trachea or bronchi and are swallowed. The second explanation offers the idea that fibers loged in the lungs move into the lymphatic system and are then transferred to the peritoneum. Either way, peritoneal mesothelioma can be extremely difficult to detect. Like other forms of mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can have a latency period of up to forty years. Unfortunately, because mesothelioma can remain dormant for such a long period of time, it usually is not detected until it is in its final stages.

The symptoms of peritoneal Mesothelioma are ambiguous and can often be looked over as symptoms of a less serious disease, which makes it crucial to inform doctors of any past asbestos exposure. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain and swelling, weight loss, nausea, bowel obstruction, difficulty breathing, weakness and loss of appetite.

Often, diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma can be random or even accidental. X-Rays, CT (or CAT) scans, and MRIs can discover mesothelioma, but actual diagnosis requires a small biopsy of affected tissue. Once a sample of tissue has been tested, the pathologist can determine how advanced the mesothelioma is, and what treatment should be given. Factors such as the patient’s medical history, age, weight, where the cancer is located and if the cancer has spread are all taken into account. Treatments for all the varieties of mesothelioma are generally the same, only targeted to the infected areas. Fortunately, treatment options for people with mesothelioma have vastly improved, especially when the cancer is diagnosed in its early stages. Additionally, many people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are treated with a combination of therapies, a plan known as multimodal therapy. Treatments include:

Surgery: to remove tumors from the peritoneum, doctors will cut out part of the tissue and lining from the abdominal area in order to find the tumor. If the tumor is exceptionally large, a lung or section of the diaphragm may also need to be removed. While surgery can help to relieve pain if tumors are localized in one place, often times the cancer has spread too much for surgery to be a viable option.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the infusion of chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdomen, a procedure known as intra-peritoneal chemotherapy.

Radiation Therapy: Radiation uses high energy x-rays and is typically used either to relieve pain or shortness of breath, or to control the spread of the tumor.

Additionally, treatments such as photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, angiogenesis inhibitors and immunotherapy are currently undergoing clinical trials. Some patients choose to participate in clinical trials with the hopes of decreasing mesothelioma related pain. Complimentary and alternative therapies can help to increase the lifespan and comfort for those affected with mesothelioma. Pain control medications have also become easier to administer to patients suffering from mesothelioma-related pain.

Although pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of asbestos-related cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is nonetheless a serious and deadly disease that takes thousands of lives every year.

Last modified: April 14, 2009