Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos: The Good The Bad And The Ugly
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms
The digestive system is often affected by the symptoms of mesothelioma of the peritoneal region. This is due to asbestos fibers being consumed and are absorbed into the lining of the stomach, called the peritoneum.
As time passes, these fibers cause changes in healthy peritoneal cells. As a result cancerous tumors develop in the peritoneum.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a challenge. The early signs can be similar to symptoms of other conditions, like hernia, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Symptoms
Asbestos fibers can travel through the body after inhalation. From there, they may become stuck in the lining of the abdomen or other organs, creating irritation and inflammation that 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 too late.
Asbestos fibers can get trapped in the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity, or other organs, causing malignant peritoneal melanomas. It is the second most common mesothelioma. However, it is difficult to recognize because the early symptoms aren't specific and are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal conditions. Patients with peritoneal cancer often have stomach pain, fatigue and gastrointestinal problems.
mesothelioma attorney victims are typically diagnosed with peritoneal cancer after having a physical exam and a medical history review and several tests performed by a laboratory. A X-ray as well as a CT scan can help doctors find any lumps or signs of illness. 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 abdomen and can cause severe abdominal discomfort, bloating and weight loss. They may also cause nausea, vomiting, and other digestive issues. The symptoms can also include chest pain, swelling and fatigue. If these symptoms are present, it is important that patients seek medical attention because they could be caused by other illnesses.
Despite the difficulty in diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma, patients are often able to receive the right treatment to prolong their lives. In most cases, treatment involves surgery and chemo that is heated.
If you or someone you love have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, call our mesothelioma attorneys to learn more about what we can do to help. We can help you find an expert in mesothelioma near you who can assist you in filing a lawsuit against asbestos companies that are responsible for your exposure. We can also assist you in ensuring that you receive the financial compensation that you are entitled to. Complete our online form to start the process. We can assist you in obtaining the best outcome possible by working with top mesothelioma attorneys.
Diagnosis
To determine if you have peritoneal msothelioma it is crucial to have a an extensive medical history. Doctors will ask patients about their asbestos exposure and when it occurred. A physical examination will be conducted. Initial examinations typically include blood tests and Xrays, as well as CT scans.
Due to the lengthy time of latency, peritoneal cancer can be difficult to recognize. Patients may experience symptoms like abdominal nausea, fever and pain that are similar to other conditions. These symptoms that are not specific can confuse doctors. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer and it can take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure.
Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers travel into the stomach lining, called the peritoneum. Asbestos fibers that are sharp can irritate mesothelium after they reach the peritoneum. This irritation leads to inflammation and scar tissue over time. In the end, this causes abnormal cell growth, and tumors can develop.
There are no FDA-approved screening tests for mesothelioma of the peritoneum, but researchers are working on finding ways to detect the disease in its earliest stages. The stage of mesothelioma determines the treatment options.
A mesothelioma specialist can perform a paracentesis or percutaneous needle biopsy to collect mesothelioma tumors for lab testing. These tests will reveal if the cancerous cells are epithelioid (epithelioid) or the sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) or biphasic within the tumor. This information helps doctors develop a treatment plan.
Specialists in mesothelioma are able to determine the stage of a patient. The stage determines the most effective treatment and also helps mesothelioma lawyers understand which asbestos-related companies are responsible in mesothelioma suits.
If a mesothelioma specialist analyzes the results of an examination, he or she creates a pathology report that includes information about the type of mesothelioma. The report can also include a staging system that describes how the cancer has spread in the body. The higher the stage of cancer, the less likely the patient is to respond to treatment. Lawyers can explain the implications of this to the particular case of a client.
Treatment
When swallowed or inhaled asbestos fibers get encased in the tissues that line the abdomen and other organs. These fibers damage DNA and cause irritation to cells. As time passes, this leads to the development of tumors in the lining. The majority of the time, peritoneal cancer develops in the lining that covers the abdomen. Peritoneal Mesothelioma affects more women than pleural mesothelioma attorney, but is less common.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are similar to those of gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease, making it difficult for doctors to recognize the condition. In the beginning, symptoms are mistaken for normal ailments, and can last for months or years before a patient is given an mesothelioma attorney-related diagnosis.
In addition to an extensive medical history, a doctor will run bloodwork and imaging tests to rule out other diseases and conditions that could cause the same symptoms as mesothelioma. These tests will help to determine the best treatment options.
A biopsy is performed by a physician to confirm the diagnosis. This is because peritoneal Msothelioma can be found in the abdominal liner. A biopsy involves the removal of small samples from the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies can identify cancerous cells, and determine the type of Mesothelioma.
If a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma has been established, doctors will discuss the options for treatment with the patient. Generally, the goal of the treatment plan is to reduce the size and number of tumors. Surgery is usually the first line of defense however, patients should also talk about the possibility of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Unlike the chest-based treatments for pleural mesothelioma, which are administered through the lung, peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are injected orally or intravenously. Injections of chemotherapies, like heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), have helped to prolong the life of many patients. HIPEC was invented by mesothelioma expert Paul Sugarbaker.
Patients suffering from peritoneal asbestosis may be able to sue negligent asbestos companies. An attorney for mesothelioma can analyze the case of a patient and recommend legal options. Contact us today to begin. It's free, confidential and there is no commitment. We offer nationwide representation.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. Doctors have limited experience dealing with it, which means that many patients are wrongly diagnosed as having other diseases. A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients with the diagnosis and ensure they receive right treatment.
The only cause that is known for mesothelioma peritoneal is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to abdominal tissues as well as cell mutations when consumed or inhaled. Over time, this can result in tumors that develop into a mesothelioma of the peritoneum.
The exposure to asbestos typically begins with working in manufacturing or construction. These industries can use asbestos-containing materials, such as fireproofing and insulation. Asbestos is also found in household products like flooring and roof tiles. Even the smallest amount of exposure to asbestos can put someone at risk of developing mesothelioma. Due to the long time of latency the victims could be diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma several decades after their first exposure.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms may be similar to those of other conditions and can be mistaken for hernias, digestive problems such as colitis or Crohn's disease or other forms of abdominal cancer. Many patients don't disclose their asbestos exposure, and do not seek medical care. If mesothelioma is found experts may suggest a biopsy for a more precise diagnosis. A biopsy is the process of removing only a small amount of affected tissue to test. This procedure can help determine the stage of mesothelioma, and whether it is epithelioid biphasic, or sarcomatoid.
If the mesothelioma is in an early stage, doctors can remove all the tumors and provide the best treatment. The specialist can also determine whether the cancer has been able to spread to the abdomen. They may then recommend palliative treatment for the patient, for example paracentesis that drains fluid from the abdomen.
The outlook for patients is worse when a mesothelioma has progressed. The cancers can become resistant to certain treatment and recur. The doctor might recommend an amalgamation of chemotherapy and surgery. Surgery options include cytoreduction along with hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy. This combination is more likely to improve a patient's prognosis than chemotherapy alone.