Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the peritoneum, a tissue in the body's abdomen. This type of mesothelioma cancer accounts for 10%–20% of all cases of mesothelioma. It's different from the most common form of mesothelioma, which attacks the pleura, a tissue lining in the chest. The mesothelioma cancer symptoms are different, and the prognosis is different too. However, as with all variants of mesothelioma cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma is almost always traceable to exposure to asbestos, the carcinogenic mineral used widely in the years before strict regulations were imposed in the 1980s.

A Rare Form of Mesothelioma Cancer

About 100 to 500 cases of peritoneal mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Almost all of the individuals who are diagnosed with this cancer have a clear history of asbestos exposure. In many cases, pleural (chest) mesothelioma can spread to the peritoneal cavity, but this would still be a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma (that has metastasized), not peritoneal mesothelioma that begins in the peritoneum.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma signs and symptoms may include:

• Abdominal swelling
• Lumps of tissue in the abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• A change in bowel habits, e.g., frequent diarrhea or constipation
• Unexplained weight loss

Unfortunately, it's often the case that the peritoneal mesothelioma doesn't show any symptoms until it's pretty far along.

The Diagnosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

People who are eventually diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma usually first see their doctor with a symptom for abdominal swelling. There are other possible causes of abdominal swelling besides peritoneal mesothelioma, such as cirrhosis of the liver. It can take some time and a battery of medical tests to correctly identify peritoneal mesothelioma.

Once the peritoneal mesothelioma is correctly diagnosed, it is difficult to predict how aggressive it will be in an individual patient, because this variant of mesothelioma has shown a wide spectrum of behavior. A patient may have recurring and severe bouts of lower abdominal pain, or not. The cancer could also metastasize from the peritoneum to lymph nodes.

Treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma

There is as yet no cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. However, some studies are showing promising results. It's best to ask your physician about the specifics of your case — the stage of the cancer, its location, the prognosis, and potential mesothelioma treatment options.