Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms
Peritoneal mesothelioma asbestos symptoms often affect the digestive system. This is due to asbestos fibers being consumed and are absorbed into the lining of the stomach, called the peritoneum.
In time, these fibers cause mutations to healthy peritoneal cell. In the end cancerous tumors develop in the peritoneum.
Mesothelioma is a difficult condition to diagnose. The early signs can resemble symptoms of other conditions like hernia, or IBS.
Signs and symptoms
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can pass into the lungs and circulate throughout the body. They can then be stuck in the lining of the abdomen or other organs, creating inflammation and irritation that eventually leads to the growth of tumors. This process can take a long time to develop and many patients are unaware of their asbestos exposure until it is too late.
Malignant peritoneal melanoma develops when asbestos fibers are trapped in the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity and other organs. It is the second most common mesothelioma. However, it can be difficult to diagnose because early symptoms are not specific and similar to those of digestive disorders. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma frequently experience stomach pain, fatigue, and digestive problems.
Mesothelioma sufferers are usually diagnosed with peritoneal cancer after having a physical exam and a medical history review and several laboratory tests. A CT scan or X-ray can help doctors detect lumps or other signs of disease. In some cases mesothelioma specialists may also order a biopsy to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms generally begin in the abdomen and can result in extreme abdominal discomfort, weight loss, bloating, fluid buildup in the belly nausea, vomiting, and other digestive problems. Other symptoms include chest pain, fatigue and swelling. If these symptoms are present it is essential that patients seek medical attention since they may be caused by other ailments.
Despite the difficulties of diagnosing peritoneal
mesothelioma attorneys, victims typically receive the appropriate treatment to prolong their lives. In the majority of cases, this requires surgery and heated chemotherapy.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with peritoneal cancer, contact our mesothelioma lawyers to learn what we can do to help. We can help you locate an expert in mesothelioma near you who can assist you in filing an asbestos lawsuit against asbestos-related companies that are responsible for your exposure. We can also assist you to get the financial compensation you are entitled to. Complete our online form to start the process. We can help you get the best possible outcome working with the best mesothelioma lawyers (
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Diagnosis
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma of the peritoneal region is to collect an complete medical history. Doctors will ask patients about their asbestos exposure and when it happened. They will also conduct a physical exam. X-rays, blood tests and CT scans are typically used in the initial work-up.
Due to the lengthy period of latency, peritoneal
mesothelioma attorneys can be difficult to recognize. Patients may experience symptoms like abdominal pain, fever and nausea that may resemble other ailments. These nonspecific symptoms can confuse doctors. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and it can take years before symptoms show up after exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos fibers inhaled or consumed travel into the stomach lining known as the peritoneum. Once inside the peritoneum the asbestos fibers' sharp edges irritate the mesothelium. As time passes this irritation can cause inflammation and scar tissue. This leads to abnormal cell proliferation and tumors.
Researchers are working to develop methods to detect mesothelioma early. Staging mesothelioma is important as it determines the treatment options.
A mesothelioma specialist can perform paracentesis (percutaneous needle biopsy) to collect a sample for laboratory testing. These tests can identify the kind of cancer cells (epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic) within the tumor and aid doctors come up with a treatment strategy.
Mesothelioma specialists also evaluate a patient's stage of
mesothelioma lawsuits. The stage determines the most effective treatment and helps mesothelioma lawyers know which asbestos companies are accountable in mesothelioma suits.
When a mesothelioma expert reviews the results from a biopsy and creates a pathology report which contains details about the type mesothelioma. The report may also contain a staging scale that indicates how the cancer has spread within the body. The higher the stage of cancer, the less likely the patient will respond to treatment. Lawyers can explain what this means for a client's case.
Treatment
Asbestos fibers are inhaled or consumed and are absorbed in the tissue that lines the abdomen and other organs. These fibers damage DNA and irritate cells. Over time, this leads to the formation of tumors within the lining. Typically, peritoneal
mesothelioma lawsuits develops in the abdomen's lining called the peritoneum. Peritoneal Mesothelioma has a greater impact on women than pleural mesothelioma but is less common.
The symptoms of peritoneal cancer are similar to those associated with digestive disorders like Crohn's and irritable bowel disease, making it hard for doctors to recognize. Because of this, early symptoms can be mistaken for normal ailments and may last for months or even years before a patient receives an mesothelioma-related diagnosis.
In addition to an extensive medical history, a physician will run tests for imaging and bloodwork to rule out other illnesses and conditions that may cause the same symptoms as mesothelioma. These tests can be used to determine the most suitable treatment options.
A biopsy is carried out by a physician to confirm the diagnosis. This is because peritoneal Msothelioma can be found in the abdominal liner. A biopsy is the removal of small samples from the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies can identify cancerous cells and identify the type of Mesothelioma.
Once a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis has been established doctors will discuss treatment options with the patient. The goal of any treatment plan is generally to decrease the size and quantity of tumors. Surgery is usually the first option, but patients may also consider chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
In contrast to chest-based therapies for pleural mesothelioma which are administered via the lung, peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are administered intravenously or orally. Chemotherapies like injections, such as heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have been able to prolong the lives of many patients. HIPEC is a procedure innovated by mesothelioma pioneer Paul Sugarbaker.
Patients suffering from peritoneal asbestosis may be able to sue negligent asbestos companies. A knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney will evaluate a patient's situation and recommend legal options. Contact us today to start. Contact us now. It's free, private and there's absolutely no obligation. We offer nationwide representation.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. Doctors aren't familiar with it, so many patients are misdiagnosed as having other illnesses. Fortunately, a mesothelioma specialist can help with the diagnostic process and help patients receive the proper treatment.
Asbestos exposure is only the one known cause of peritoneal mesthelioma. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation of abdominal tissues and cell mutations when consumed or inhaled. This can cause tumors to develop mesothelioma within the peritoneum over time.
The exposure to asbestos usually starts with jobs in manufacturing or construction. These industries can use materials that contain asbestos, like insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos can also be found in household products such as flooring and roofing tiles. Even low levels of exposure can put someone at risk for mesothelioma. Due to the long time of latency the victims could be diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma many decades after their initial exposure.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms can resemble those of other diseases and could be mistaken for a hernia, gastrointestinal issues like colitis or Crohn's disease, or other forms of abdominal cancer. A lot of patients do not declare their asbestos exposure and don't seek medical care. Doctors may suggest a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. A biopsy involves the removal of just a small portion of affected tissue for testing. This test will reveal whether the mesothelioma has epithelioid (epidermoid), sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) or biphasic.
If the mesothelioma is at an early stage doctors can remove all the tumors and offer the best treatment. The doctor will also be able to determine if the cancer has spread inside the abdomen. They will then recommend palliative treatments for the patient. For example paracentesis to remove abdominal fluid.
If a mesothelioma has advanced and the prognosis is less favorable, it becomes more difficult to treat. This is because the tumors are able to become resistant to certain treatments, and they may be recurred. The specialist may recommend the combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Surgical options include cytoreduction surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This combination is more likely to improve the prognosis of a patient than chemotherapy on its own.