Sunday, August 21, 2011

What Is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

A deadly form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma in the cancer cells attack the lining of the abdomen called the peritoneum. Peritoneum is the thin membrane that protects the various organs of the abdomen and also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the layer is still a relatively rare disease which accounts for about one-fifth of all mesotheliomas. Its only known cause of the time until the U.S. is previous exposure to asbestos.

Main symptoms

Although mesothelioma is not the age nor sex specific, peritoneal mesothelioma, is mostly seen in men who are in the age group of 50-70 years. There are several symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma most of which will be launched after the year 20, 30 or 50 after exposure to asbestos. These symptoms may include weight loss (however, waist line may increase), pain or swelling of the abdomen, weakness, loss of appetite, intestinal obstruction, anemia, nausea and fever. Although peritoneal fluid often builds up in space that leads to a condition called ascites.

The diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma

The first step towards the identification of peritoneal mesothelioma includes X-rays and CT scans. For the diagnosis, but the doctor needs to do a biopsy, in which the fabric is cut into a piece of a defective part of the body of the victim and placed under a microscope for examination. If the disease is diagnosed early, has a better chance of getting care that the state of diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma when the cancer has already spread to different parts.

The remedy

It is true that peritoneal mesothelioma is fatal and leads to more deaths each year. But with continued research, several types of treatments have been initiated and in the future is a chance that the disease is completely cured. Types of treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery is part of the abdominal tissue is cut to remove the tumor. Sometimes the doctor may also need to remove a lung or part of the membrane as per the requirement of surgery. Radiotherapy, the second method requires the use of high energy x-rays to shrink tumors and kill malignant cells. The rays can be used from an external machine or by placing the radiation source directly into the affected part of the body through plastic tubes. Type of treatment is the last chemotherapy, in which a combination of drugs used to kill cancer cells. Drugs can be administered orally in capsule form or can be applied intravenously via needle.

However, it is important to remember that the cost of treating any type of cancer has been exaggerated, and you can hear a mesothelioma lawyer to earn you a handsome compensation by, who was in charge of previous exposure to asbestos.

So learn more about peritoneal mesothelioma so that you can start treatment at an early stage and be healed.