Peritoneal Mesothelioma Information

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects

the peritoneum of the human abdominal cavity. Hence, this

medical condition is also called as abdominal mesothelioma.

But before seeing more about peritoneal mesothelioma,

let us first take a look at the classifications and

functions of the peritoneum membrane.

Peritoneum is classified into visceral and parietal

peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum envelops the

abdominal organs and forms the periphery of the

intestinal tract. On the other hand, parietal

peritoneum covers the abdominal cavity. The purpose

of these layers is to protect the internal organs and

to secrete a lubricating fluid that eases the movement

of internal organs in the abdominal cavity.

Causes of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Even though not a definitive explanation, it is widely

considered that asbestos is the main cause for peritoneal

mesothelioma. According to medical experts, in two ways

asbestos dust could reach the intestine lining one through

involuntary ingestion during working long hours and days

amid asbestos, and secondly, through the lungs while

breathing and hence along the lymph nodes to the peritoneal

cavity. Either way, it is injurious to the human body, and

may invariably lead to this cancerous condition if exposed

to for a longer period of time.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma, like the other forms of

mesothelioma, shows a very long latency period and it wont

be until 20-30 years since the asbestos-exposure days

before any typical symptoms becomes apparent. But by then

it will be too late to check the disease or provide any

constructive medication or treatment. Further, a delay in

diagnosing the disease can happen due to the fact that most

of the symptoms of mesothelioma is not-specific and may

resemble that of some other common and less serious

diseases. For example, the common mesothelioma symptoms

include anemia, fever, weight loss, abdominal pain, and

bowel obstruction, and it is highly likely that the doctor

initially may consider other options than contemplating

cancer. Therefore, the patient telling the doctor about

any previous asbestos exposure in the first one-to-one

interaction itself is very crucial, and that helps the

doctor to think of a possible mesothelioma threat even

before considering other possibilities.

Treatments

Once the disease has been diagnosed, the doctor recommends

the treatments based on several factors such as the extent

of the damage, age and medical history of the person and

overall health. The traditional treatments for mesothelioma

include surgery if the tumor has spread out and is beyond

radiation-curable radiation therapy (external and internal

radiation), and chemotherapy, which includes using a pill or

needle to insert anti-carcinogen drugs into the body.

With the advancement in science and technology, newer

treatment techniques have been introduced, and some of it

is looking promising as well.

Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is one such newer method

that uses special drugs and light to destroy cancer cells.

This method is used to study the earlier phases of

mesothelioma in the chest.

Further, Immunotherapy is a way of boosting the immunity of

ones own body against the spread of cancer. Also, recently,

researches have found that Gene Therapy is effective in

correcting the faulty genes causing mesothelioma. But these

two methods are still in the clinical trials and are yet to

be implemented in hospitals.

Even though a wide range of treatments are available for mesothelioma, clinical experiences reveals that none of this alone is capable of checking the disease effectively.

Therefore, it is a selected combination of some of these

treatments called the "multimodality approach" that is

commonly followed and the different modes of treatments to

be used are decided by the doctor based on the given medical

condition of the patient and his/her age.

Tail Piece Passive exposure to asbestos can also lead

to mesothelioma. This happens when asbestos fibers reach

the domestic setup through clothes dirties with asbestos

dust. Therefore it is advisable that those handling

asbestos may change their clothes before returning home

or going to any public place.

Christian Louis is the author of this article. Check out the nr. 1 resource on Mesothelioma [http://www.online-mesothelioma-information.com]