It’s true that peritoneal mesothelioma is fatal and leads to several deaths every year. However, with continued research, several treatment types have been embarked upon and in the future there is a fair chance of the disease becoming absolutely curable. The types of treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
In surgery a part of the abdominal tissue is cut out to remove the tumor. At times the doctor may also need to remove a lung or a portion of the diaphragm as per the requirement 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 part of the body, by means of plastic tubes. The final type of treatment is chemotherapy where a combination of drugs is applied to kill the cancer cells. The drugs may be administered by mouth in capsule form or may be applied intravenously via needle.
So learn more about peritoneal mesothelioma so that you can initiate treatment at the earliest possible stage and get cured.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
There are a number of symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma most of which only start appearing after 20, 30 or even 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. These symptoms may include weight loss (however, the waist line may increase), pain or swelling in the abdomen, weakness, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, anemia, nausea and fever. Also, fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space leading to a condition called Ascites.
Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma
The initial step towards detection of peritoneal mesothelioma includes X-rays and CT scans. For confirmed diagnosis, however 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 under microscope for examination. If the disease 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 spread to various parts.
Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma
The initial step towards detection of peritoneal mesothelioma includes X-rays and CT scans. For confirmed diagnosis, however 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 under microscope for examination. If the disease 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 spread to various parts.
Friday, September 11, 2009
How Does Asbestos Cause Peritoneal Mesothelioma
There are two main theories regarding how asbestos exposure leads to the development of peritoneal mesothelioma:
• Asbestos fibers are ingested, and these fibers work their way from digestive organs into the peritoneal membrane.
• Asbestos fibers are inhaled, and travel to the peritoneal membrane via the lymphatic system.
Regardless of how asbestos fibers actually enter the peritoneal layers, once they do enter the membrane, the body experiences difficulty in expelling them. The fibers become trapped in the peritoneal membrane, and over a period of two or more decades, cause certain changes in the mesothelial cells of the peritoneum.
The exact way in which asbestos fibers cause changes in these mesothelial cells is uncertain. One theory is that asbestos fibers cause long-term inflammation and irritation that eventually causes mesothelial cells to become cancerous. When cells become cancerous, they lose the ability to regulate their own division and growth. Cancerous mesothelial cells divide and grow without restraint, and this uncontrolled cell growth causes thickening of the peritoneum, and the build-up of fluid in the peritoneal layers. Overtime, as cancerous cells continue to divide, tumors form.
• Asbestos fibers are ingested, and these fibers work their way from digestive organs into the peritoneal membrane.
• Asbestos fibers are inhaled, and travel to the peritoneal membrane via the lymphatic system.
Regardless of how asbestos fibers actually enter the peritoneal layers, once they do enter the membrane, the body experiences difficulty in expelling them. The fibers become trapped in the peritoneal membrane, and over a period of two or more decades, cause certain changes in the mesothelial cells of the peritoneum.
The exact way in which asbestos fibers cause changes in these mesothelial cells is uncertain. One theory is that asbestos fibers cause long-term inflammation and irritation that eventually causes mesothelial cells to become cancerous. When cells become cancerous, they lose the ability to regulate their own division and growth. Cancerous mesothelial cells divide and grow without restraint, and this uncontrolled cell growth causes thickening of the peritoneum, and the build-up of fluid in the peritoneal layers. Overtime, as cancerous cells continue to divide, tumors form.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Affects Older Men
One of the fatal types of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma in which the cancerous cells attack the lining of the abdomen which is called the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a thin membrane, which protects or shields various organs of the abdomen and also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects this lining, is still a relatively rare disease that accounts for about one fifth of all mesothelioma cases. Its only known cause in the U.S. thus far is previous exposure to asbestos.
Though mesothelioma is neither age nor sex specific, peritoneal mesothelioma is mostly seen in men who are in the age group encompassing 50-70 year olds.
Though mesothelioma is neither age nor sex specific, peritoneal mesothelioma is mostly seen in men who are in the age group encompassing 50-70 year olds.
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