Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms
Peritoneal mesothelioma asbestos symptoms often affect the digestive system. This is due to asbestos fibers being consumed and then absorbed in a lining of the stomach known as the peritoneum.
As time passes, these fibers cause changes to healthy peritoneal cell. As a result tumors that are cancerous develop in the peritoneum.
Mesothelioma is a challenging condition to diagnose. The early signs can be similar to symptoms of other conditions such as hernia or irritable bowel syndrome.
Symptoms
Asbestos fibers may travel through the body when breathed. The fibers may then become stuck in the linings of the abdomen and other organs. This can cause inflammation and irritation that leads to tumor development. This process can take a long time to develop, and a lot of victims are unaware that they have asbestos exposure until it is too late.
Asbestos fibers can become trapped in the tissue lining the abdominal cavity, or other organs, causing malignant peritoneal melanoma. It is the second most frequent mesothelioma type. However it can be difficult for doctors to identify because the early symptoms are not specific. It is also possible that they are similar to digestive disorders. Patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma typically have stomach pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues.
Mesothelioma patients are usually diagnosed with peritoneal cancer after conducting a physical examination as well as a medical history check and a series of tests in the laboratory. A CT scan or X-ray can help doctors detect lumps or other signs of illness. In certain cases mesothelioma patients, doctors will also require a biopsy to get a more accurate diagnosis.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms typically start in the abdominal region and can lead to extreme abdominal pain as well as weight loss, bloating, fluid buildup in the belly, nausea, vomiting and other digestive issues. The symptoms can also include chest pain, swelling, and fatigue. It is essential for patients to seek medical advice in the event of these symptoms, as they could be caused by something other than mesothelioma.
Despite the difficulty in diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma, patients typically receive the appropriate treatment to extend their lives. In the majority of cases, this involves surgical treatment and heated chemotherapy.
If you or someone you love have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, contact our mesothelioma lawyers to find out how we can assist. We can connect you with a mesothelioma specialist near you, who can assist you in bringing a lawsuit against the asbestos-related companies responsible for your exposure. We can also assist you to get the financial compensation you are entitled to. You can start this process by filling out our no-cost online form. We can help you get the best outcome possible by working with the best mesothelioma lawyers.
Diagnosis
The first step to diagnose mesothelioma of the peritoneal region is to collect an complete medical history. Doctors will inquire with the patient about their asbestos exposure and the date it happened. A physical exam will be conducted. Blood tests, X-rays and CT scans are typically employed in the initial examination.
Peritoneal mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize because of its long latency period. Patients might experience symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, and fever that are similar to those of other conditions. These nonspecific symptoms may cause confusion for doctors. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and it can take decades for symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure.
Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers move to the stomach lining, called the peritoneum. Once inside the peritoneum the asbestos fibers' sharp edges cause irritation to the mesothelium. In time this irritation can cause inflammation and scar tissue. This leads to abnormal cell growth and tumors.
Researchers are working on methods to detect the disease at its earliest stages. Staging mesothelioma is important as it will determine the treatment options.
A mesothelioma doctor can conduct a paracentesis or percutaneous needle biopsy to collect mesothelioma tumors for lab testing. These tests will reveal if the cancer cells are epithelioid (epithelioid), the sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) or biphasic within the tumor. This information aids doctors to develop a treatment plan.
Specialists in mesothelioma are able to determine the stage of the patient. Staging determines which treatments might be most effective and also helps mesothelioma lawyers determine which asbestos-related companies to sue in mesothelioma lawsuits.
If a mesothelioma specialist analyzes the results of the biopsy the doctor creates a pathology record that includes information about the type of mesothelioma. The report can also include an assessment system that outlines how far the cancer has spread in the body. The higher the stage, the less likely it is to respond to treatment. A lawyer can explain the significance of this for a client's case.
Treatment
Asbestos fibers can be breathed in or consumed and are absorbed in the tissues lining the abdomen and other organs. The fibers harm DNA and irritate cells. This can lead to the development of tumors. Typically, peritoneal cancer is found in the lining of the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs less frequently than pleural mesothelioma and usually affects women more.
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel disorder and Crohn's disease, making it difficult for doctors to identify the condition. Initial symptoms may be mistaken for other ailments, and may persist for a long time, or even years before mesothelioma diagnosis is made.
A doctor will also conduct tests on blood and imaging to rule out any other conditions or diseases that could trigger the same symptoms as mesothelioma. These tests can aid in determining the most effective treatment options.
Since peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that develops the abdominal lining, a doctor will perform a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. A biopsy involves the removal of small amounts of tissue from the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies can reveal cancerous cells, and can identify the type of Mesothelioma.
If a diagnosis of peritoneal cancer has been confirmed, doctors will discuss options for treatment with the patient. The goal of any treatment plan is usually to reduce the size and the number of tumors. Surgery is usually the first line of defense however, patients should also talk about the possibility of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
In contrast to the chest-based treatment for pleural Mesothelioma which is administered through the lungs, peritoneal Mesothelioma treatment is injected via intravenously or orally. Chemotherapy injections like heated intraperitoneal therapy (HIPEC), helped extend the life expectancy of many patients. HIPEC was developed by mesothelioma expert Paul Sugarbaker.
Patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma could be able to file an asbestos lawsuit against negligent companies. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will review the case of a patient and suggest legal options. Contact us now to get started. It is no cost, it's confidential and there is no commitment. We provide nationwide representation.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma cancer is extremely rare. Because doctors aren't experienced in diagnosing patients, many are mistakenly diagnosed with other illnesses. Fortunately mesothelioma specialists can aid in the diagnosis process and get patients the appropriate treatment.
Asbestos exposure is only the one known cause of peritoneal mesthelioma. Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to abdominal tissues and cell mutations when inhaled or consumed. As time passes, this could cause tumors to form a mesothelioma of the peritoneum.
The exposure to asbestos typically is a result of working in manufacturing or construction. These industries could use asbestos-containing materials, such as fireproofing and insulation. Asbestos can also be found in household products such as flooring and roof tiles. Even very low levels of exposure can put a person at risk for mesothelioma. Due to the long period of latency, victims may be diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma many decades after their initial exposure.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms can resemble those of other diseases and could be mistaken for a hernia digestive issues such as colitis or Crohn's disease, or other types of abdominal cancer. This is why many patients do not disclose their exposure to asbestos and they do not seek medical attention. When mesothelioma is detected experts may suggest the procedure of a biopsy to make an accurate diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal a small piece of tissue to be examined. This procedure will reveal the stage of mesothelioma, and if it is epithelioid, sarcomatoid or biphasic.
If the mesothelioma is at an early stage doctors can remove all of the tumors and provide the best treatment. The doctor will also be able to determine whether the cancer has spread within the abdomen. They may then recommend palliative treatment for the patient. For instance, paracentesis to drain abdominal fluid.
south carolina asbestos attorneys of survival are worse when mesothelioma is advanced. This is because the cancer are able to become resistant to certain treatments and may recur. The specialist may recommend a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Options for surgery include cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemo. This combination is more likely to improve the prognosis of a patient than chemotherapy on its own.