Peritoneal Mesothelioma Asbestos Symptoms
The digestive system is often affected by the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. This is due to asbestos fibers being consumed and are absorbed into the stomach’s lining known as the peritoneum.
As time passes, these fibers cause mutations in healthy peritoneal cells. In the end tumors that are cancerous develop in the peritoneum.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a challenge. The initial signs may resemble symptoms of other conditions, such as hernia or irritable bowel syndrome.
Signs and symptoms
When asbestos fibers are inhaled they can enter the lungs and travel throughout the body. They can then be trapped in the abdominal lining or other organs, creating inflammation and irritation that eventually leads to the growth of tumors. This process can take a long time to develop, and many victims are unaware of their asbestos attorney exposure until too late.
Asbestos fibers can become trapped in the tissue lining the abdominal cavity, or other organs, causing malignant peritoneal melanomas. It is the second most frequent type of mesothelioma, but it can be difficult to diagnose because early symptoms are not specific and similar to those of gastrointestinal disorders. Patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma typically suffer from stomach pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems.
Mesothelioma patients are usually diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma following conducting a physical examination, a medical history review and an array of tests in the laboratory. A CT scan and an X-ray may help doctors identify lumps or any other signs of disease. In certain cases mesothelioma patients, doctors may also request a biopsy to get a more accurate diagnosis.
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms generally begin in the abdomen and can lead to extreme abdominal pain as well as weight loss, bloating, swelling of the belly nausea, vomiting, and other digestive problems. The symptoms can also include chest pain, swelling and fatigue. If these symptoms are present it is crucial that victims seek medical attention as they may be caused by other conditions.
Despite the difficulty in diagnosing patients with peritoneal msothelioma, they can often receive the right treatment to prolong their lives. In most cases, this requires the use of surgery and chemotherapy that is heated.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, call our mesothelioma attorneys to learn more about what we can do to help. We can assist you in finding a mesothelioma expert near you who can assist you in filing an asbestos lawsuit against the companies that are responsible for your exposure. We can also help you receive the financial compensation you’re entitled to. Complete our online form to begin the process. We can help you get the best possible outcome working with the top mesothelioma lawyers.
Diagnosis
To diagnose peritoneal Msothelioma it is important to have an extensive medical history. Doctors will ask patients about their exposure to asbestos and when it happened. They will also conduct a physical examination. Initial work-ups often include blood tests and X-rays, as well as CT scans.
Peritoneal mesothelioma can be difficult to identify due to its lengthy latency period. Patients might experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and fever that are similar to other illnesses. These symptoms that are not specific can confuse doctors. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can take decades before symptoms show up after exposure to asbestos.
Inhaling or eating asbestos litigation fibers move to the stomach lining, known as the peritoneum. Once inside the peritoneum the sharp asbestos fibers irritate the mesothelium. Over time the irritation causes inflammation and scar tissue. This leads to abnormal cell proliferation and tumors.
There are no FDA-approved screening tests for peritoneal mesothelioma however, researchers are developing ways to identify the disease in its earliest stages. Staging mesothelioma is important as it determines treatment options.
A mesothelioma specialist can perform paracentesis (percutaneous needle biopsy) to collect the specimen for laboratory testing. These tests will reveal if the cancer cells are epithelioid (epithelioid) or the sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) or biphasic within the tumor. This information can help doctors to develop the treatment plan.
Specialists in mesothelioma also determine the stage of a patient. The stage determines the most effective treatments and also helps mesothelioma lawyers understand which asbestos companies are liable in mesothelioma cases.
If a mesothelioma specialist analyzes the results from an examination, he or she creates a pathology report that includes information about the type mesothelioma. The report may also contain an assessment scale that reveals how the cancer has spread within the body. The higher the stage of cancer is, the less likely the patient will be able to respond to treatment. A lawyer can explain the significance of this in a client’s situation.
Treatment
When inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers get encased in the tissues that line the abdomen and other organs. The fibers harm DNA and cause irritation to cells. Over time, this leads to the development of tumors in the lining. The majority of the time, peritoneal cancer develops in the lining that surrounds the abdomen. Peritoneal Mesothelioma affects more women than pleural mesothelioma but is less common.
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are similar to symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease, making it difficult for doctors to recognize the condition. As a result, early symptoms can be mistaken for normal ailments and can persist for months or even years before a patient receives a mesothelioma diagnosis.
In addition to a thorough medical history, a physician will perform imaging and blood tests to rule out other diseases and conditions that could trigger the same symptoms as mesothelioma. These tests will also aid in determining the most effective treatment options.
Because peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdominal lining A doctor will conduct an examination to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal of small amounts of tissue from the affected area to be examined by pathologists. Biopsies may reveal cancerous cells as well as identify the type of mesothelioma.
If a diagnosis of peritoneal cancer has been established, doctors will discuss options for treatment with the patient. The goal of the treatment plan is to minimize the size and number of tumors. Surgery is typically the first line of defense, however, patients should also talk about the possibility of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
In contrast to chest-based therapies for pleural mesothelioma, which are administered through the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are administered either intravenously or orally. The injections of chemotherapy, such as heated intraperitoneal therapy (HIPEC) has helped prolong survival for many patients. HIPEC is a procedure innovated by mesothelioma pioneer Paul Sugarbaker.
Patients who have been diagnosed with peritoneal cancer may be eligible to file an asbestos claim lawsuit against negligent companies. A mesothelioma attorney can review the case of a patient and suggest legal options. Contact us today to get started. It is no cost, it’s confidential and there is no obligation. We offer nationwide representation.
Prognosis
Mesothelioma cancer is rare. Because doctors lack experience, many patients are misdiagnosed as having other illnesses. Fortunately mesothelioma specialists can help with the diagnostic process and get patients the right treatment.
The only cause that is known for mesothelioma of the peritoneal region is asbestos Law exposure. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they could irritate abdominal tissues and cause cells to alter. This can lead to tumors that form mesothelioma in the peritoneum in time.
Construction or manufacturing work is usually the first area where asbestos exposure begins. These industries could employ asbestos-containing products like fireproofing and insulation. Asbestos can also be present in household items like roofing tiles and flooring. Even small amounts of asbestos exposure can cause a person to be at risk of developing mesothelioma. Due to the long latency period of the disease patients may be diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma several decades after their initial exposure.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can mimic other conditions. It is often mistaken for hernias or gastrointestinal problems like Crohn’s or colitis and other forms of abdominal cancers. Because of this, many patients don’t report their exposure to asbestos legal and they do not seek medical treatment. If mesothelioma is found doctors may recommend a biopsy for a more accurate diagnosis. A biopsy involves the removal of the smallest piece of tissue to be examined. This procedure will reveal the stage of mesothelioma and whether it is epithelioid sarcomatoid or biphasic.
If the mesothelioma is in an early stage doctors can remove all the tumors and provide an effective treatment. The doctor will also be able to determine if the cancer has spread to the abdomen. They can then prescribe palliative care for the patient, such as paracentesis that drains fluid from the abdomen.
If mesothelioma progresses and the prognosis is less favorable, it becomes more difficult to treat. The tumors could become resistant to certain treatment and then recur. The specialist may suggest a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Surgical options include cytoreduction surgery along with hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy. This combination is more likely than chemotherapy alone to improve the prognosis for the patient.