is the second-most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for approximately 15 – 20 percent of all new mesothelioma diagnoses each year,also known as diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma
that attacks the lining of the abdomen. This type of cancer affects the lining that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.
The peritoneum is a protective membrane that surrounds the abdomen, or belly. It has two layers, and mesothelioma can develop on both. The parietal layer covers the abdominal cavity, while the visceral layer surrounds the stomach, liver and other organs of the abdomen. Together, the layers support the abdominal cavity as a whole and the organs within it.
54.7 per cent male versus 45.3 per cent female, with the median age being 65-69. The latency period appears to be shorter for asbestos-exposed individuals with symptoms appearing 20-30 years after exposure rather than the 30-40 year latency more commonly associated with pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the abdominal lining (peritoneum), rather than the linings of the lungs or heart
Unfortunately, some patients don't experience any symptoms until tumors have spread
that attacks the lining of the abdomen. This type of cancer affects the lining that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The name stems from the area where the cancer develops, along the peritoneum, also known as the lining of the abdomen. Roughly 250 to 500 new cases of peritoneal mesothelioma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, making it the second-most common mesothelioma type.The peritoneum is a protective membrane that surrounds the abdomen, or belly. It has two layers, and mesothelioma can develop on both. The parietal layer covers the abdominal cavity, while the visceral layer surrounds the stomach, liver and other organs of the abdomen. Together, the layers support the abdominal cavity as a whole and the organs within it.
54.7 per cent male versus 45.3 per cent female, with the median age being 65-69. The latency period appears to be shorter for asbestos-exposed individuals with symptoms appearing 20-30 years after exposure rather than the 30-40 year latency more commonly associated with pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the abdominal lining (peritoneum), rather than the linings of the lungs or heart
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma
Early symptoms at the time of presentation may include
- weight loss
- abdominal pain
- abdomen swelling due to a buildup of fluid
- diarrhea or constipation
Unfortunately, some patients don't experience any symptoms until tumors have spread
- feeling of fullness
- Night sweats or fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Anemia
certain other conditions, known as paraneoplastic syndromes, that may exhibit additional symptoms
- Venous thrombosis – blood clots that form in a vein
- Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar
- Thrombocytosis – high platelet numbers in the body’s blood supply
Causes
- The main causes a zeolite mineral with similar properties to asbestos
- epidemiological investigation demonstrated that the substance causes the disease mostly in families with a genetic predisposition to mineral fiber carcinogenesis
- Swallowed asbestos fibers travel from the digestive system to the peritoneum.
- Inhaled asbestos fibers reach the peritoneum through the lymphatic system, which produces and stores cells that fight disease.
Diagnosis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Hernia
- Other abdominal cancers, especially ovarian cancer
Peritoneal mesothelioma has two clinical types which can be differentiated with the help of CT findings, the "dry" type and the "wet". It is classified as "dry" when there are multiple tiny masses or one dominant localized mass and generally little or no ascites. The "wet" type has widespread small nodules, no dominant mass and a presence of ascites. If fluid is found, the process of eliminating it is through paracentesis; however the analysis of this fluid has limited diagnostic significance. Normally, a definitive diagnosis may be obtained through tissue biopsy.
Imaging Scanning
When a patient is experiencing symptoms like pain or swelling in the abdomen, doctors likely will ask for a chest X-ray, CT scan or another type of imaging scan. These tests will help detect potential tumors and show any cancer spread. They also help doctors choose the best biopsy locations.
Biopsies
Radiologic biopsies are minor procedures that pull fluid and tissue samples that can be inspected under a microscope and can be used for other tests. This is an essential step in the diagnostic process because only a biopsy can confirm a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis.
Treatment
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Surgery
Surgery is the most promising traditional treatment option for peritoneal mesothelioma, but it is only effective for early-stage cancer. Because doctors most commonly diagnose asbestos-related diseases after the cancer has spread, most surgeries only attempt to remove sections of the tumor.
Surgery
Surgery is the most promising traditional treatment option for peritoneal mesothelioma, but it is only effective for early-stage cancer. Because doctors most commonly diagnose asbestos-related diseases after the cancer has spread, most surgeries only attempt to remove sections of the tumor.
Surgery can be curative or palliative. Curative surgery aims to remove as much of the tumor as possible in hopes of curing the cancer. Otherwise, doctors may perform palliative surgery, which aims to remove parts of the tumor to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Palliative therapies do not stop the cancer.
Tumor spread is usually too vast at stage IV for surgery to completely remove the cancer. Surgery with a curative intent is not recommended at stage IV. However, a surgery to remove the majority of tumors may be performed to alleviate pain and improve breathing.
Chemotherapy
Doctors can provide chemotherapy drugs that shrink tumors and slow the growth and spread of cancer. It can be given before, during or after surgery. In some cases, doctors offer chemotherapy as the only treatment option. Chemotherapy drugs considered effective in peritoneal treatment include pemetrexed, cisplatin, carboplatin and gemcitabine.
Surgery
Surgery is the most promising traditional treatment option for peritoneal mesothelioma, but it is only effective for early-stage cancer. Because doctors most commonly diagnose asbestos-related diseases after the cancer has spread, most surgeries only attempt to remove sections of the tumor.
Surgery can be curative or palliative. Curative surgery aims to remove as much of the tumor as possible in hopes of curing the cancer. Otherwise, doctors may perform palliative surgery, which aims to remove parts of the tumor to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Palliative therapies do not stop the cancer.
Tumor spread is usually too vast at stage IV for surgery to completely remove the cancer. Surgery with a curative intent is not recommended at stage IV. However, a surgery to remove the majority of tumors may be performed to alleviate pain and improve breathing.
Chemotherapy
Doctors can provide chemotherapy drugs that shrink tumors and slow the growth and spread of cancer. It can be given before, during or after surgery. In some cases, doctors offer chemotherapy as the only treatment option. Chemotherapy drugs considered effective in peritoneal treatment include pemetrexed, cisplatin, carboplatin and gemcitabine.
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Radiation Therapy
Although some studies show radiation therapy can improve survival slightly when combined with surgery and chemotherapy, doctors tend not to recommend radiation for peritoneal patients. Even though targeted radiation can shrink tumors and slow cancer growth, the procedure is risky because of the location of these tumors. The peritoneum wraps around the stomach, liver and intestines. Aiming radiation at nearby tumors could harm these organs and cause damage.