| Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the abdominal lining | | | | it faster because as the cancer advances to diffuse |
| and is a rare form of malignant cancers affecting | | | | peritoneal mesothelioma the cancer cells invade other |
| lesser number of people than pleural mesothelioma. | | | | body parts as well. |
| The peritoneum is made up of two parts such as | | | | Treatment Methods: |
| visceral peritoneum that covers the internal organs | | | | The disease is very difficult to diagnose at early |
| and parietal peritoneum that covers the abdominal | | | | stages. One of the approaches is intra-peritoneal |
| cavity. The cells in these two layers secrete fluid that | | | | chemotherapy. In this method of treatment, following |
| helps in the movement of organs inside the abdomen. | | | | surgery, drugs are induced directly into the abdomen. |
| However, if the cells become malignant it | | | | In some cases, radiation therapy is done to shrink |
| overproduces causing excess fluid in the abdomen. It | | | | the tumors before surgery is done. |
| is widely believed that, risk factor associated with | | | | But, it is the cytoreductive surgery called debulking |
| peritoneal mesothelioma is asbestos. Asbestos | | | | that is done. Although surgery is considered to be |
| particles make their entry into the body either | | | | the first line of treatment yet it is not done for all |
| through ingestion or inhalation and reaches | | | | patients. If the patients' physical health is failing, a |
| peritoneum through the lymphatic system causing | | | | surgical operation is enervating. In these cases, it is |
| malignancy of the cellular lining of abdomen. | | | | the palliative approach that works best. This therapy, |
| The early signs of Peritoneal Mesothelioma include: | | | | simply works to reduce symptoms and improve the |
| * Increased weight loss due to low intake of food | | | | quality of life for the patients with chemotherapeutic |
| * Night sweats often accompanied with fever | | | | drugs. |
| * Increased abdominal girth coupled with bouts of | | | | High-energy radiation is also used to treat peritoneal |
| abdominal pain and indigestion | | | | mesothelioma, but is not used alone. Radiation |
| * Extreme fatigue, fever and anemic condition | | | | therapy is mostly followed by surgery and use of |
| Tests and Diagnoses: | | | | palliative |
| Based on symptoms doctors cannot ascertain | | | | Chemotherapy drugs. |
| presence of peritoneal mesothelioma but goes for | | | | Latest Advancements: |
| medical investigations ranging from x-rays to CT | | | | There are ongoing clinical trials and experiments such |
| scans to MRI. These imaging tests and studies help in | | | | as immunotherapy, gene therapy and usage of |
| the detection of the disease and also aids in knowing | | | | antiangiogenesis drugs for treating the cancer. |
| the stage and metastases of the cancer. | | | | Multi-modality approach often proved to be useful in |
| But, it is the biopsy that ultimately confirms the | | | | certain cases and intracavitary chemotherapy and |
| disease- either a fluid aspiration biopsy or a tissue | | | | radiation therapy are subjects of further research |
| biopsy. If the cancer is detected early it helps to cure | | | | and tests. |