Abdominal Mesothelioma CancerTreatment is the key to peritoneal mesothelioma patient's life duration. Some live for more than a decade after diagnosis, becoming mesothelioma survivors.Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by using x-rays or CT scans. They may also employ the peritoneoscope for abdominal exam.The symptoms of mesothelioma are comparable to other diseases. For this reason, mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize.SymptomsPeritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of your abdomen. It differs from pleural, which affects tissue surrounding the lungs or chest cavity. It is caused by asbestos fibers are caught in the digestive tract and travel to the peritoneum. There, they can become trapped for years leading to inflammation and genetic damage. Malignant cells can develop and grow, putting pressure on organs. The mesothelioma type is rarer than pleural mesothelioma. However it is still possible to spread to other areas of the body, such as the lungs.A genetic mutation of a cell may cause it to grow in uncontrollable ways. The abnormal cells can form into a massive tumor or a variety of smaller tumors in the body. Mesothelioma may occur in the chest stomach, abdomen or testicles. There are four types of mesothelioma, including pericardial, peritoneal, and mesothelioma of the pleural region.The most frequent mesothelioma symptoms are fatigue, difficulty breathing and a persistent cough. People with mesothelioma can also experience stomach constipation, stomach pain, bloating diarrhea, and weight loss. The symptoms are often not apparent until the cancer has progressed. mesothelioma cancer claims can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.It is important to consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Peritoneal mesothelioma may mimic other conditions. Your doctor will conduct tests and review your mesothelioma-related background to determine if these symptoms are related to the disease.If the patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma the treatment can improve their prognosis and lessen the severity of their symptoms. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and immunotherapy to kill mesothelioma cells and stop them from spreading to other parts of the body.Patients and their families can be overwhelmed by the process of receiving mesothelioma treatments overwhelming. A mesothelioma specialist can make the process much easier. The more information you can provide your mesothelioma doctor, the better they'll be able to treat your disease. They will also provide tips on how to manage your symptoms after treatment.DiagnosisPeritoneal mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the abdomen's lining. It occurs only because of exposure to asbestos. Patients should seek out a mesothelioma specialist. They have the expertise and tools to correctly diagnose peritoneal msothelioma. They can also treat it.To determine a diagnosis doctors will go over your medical history and then perform physical examination. They will check for any lumps, or other signs of mesothelioma. They can also request an imaging test, such as a CT scan or MRI. These tests provide a more detailed image of the body than X-rays. The results will help them determine if you have mesothelioma cancer and how far it has taken over.A doctor will take a biopsy on any suspicious tissue to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis. Different types of mesothelioma biopsy techniques are available. A doctor will choose the best option for your specific symptoms. For instance paracentesis procedures collect peritoneal fluid from the abdomen to be tested. In most cases however, a doctor will carry out a laparoscopic biopsy.The mesothelioma doctor will examine the biopsy to determine whether it contains cancerous cells. They will also determine the stage of the tumor, which can impact your prognosis. They will use a system called TNM (tumor, node and metastases) to identify the stages of mesothelioma.Mesothelioma is divided into three types of cells. Epithelioid cancer cells are more likely to respond to treatment and live longer than sarcomatoid cancerous cells, which tend to be more aggressive. There are also mesothelioma tumors with biphasic mesotheli both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells.The stage of mesothelioma's development is crucial to help doctors determine the best treatment option for you. A peritoneal mesothelioma specialist will classify the stage of your cancer based on your symptoms and the extent to which the cancer has spread to the abdominal cavity. They will also take into consideration your general health and determine if you are suitable for clinical trials. They will then create a treatment plan that fits your specific needs.TreatmentMesothelioma cancer cells develop from asbestos fibers that are absorbed into the body by swallowing or breathing. Asbestos fibers cause irritation, inflammation and can damage DNA. This leads to tumors and abnormal growth of cells over time. The cancer cells can cause irritation to the lining (peritoneum) of the abdomen, causing fluid to accumulate in the abdomen and cause other symptoms. Mesothelioma is found most often in the pleura (the membrane that encloses the chest cavity to protect the lungs). It can also affect the abdominal lining and organs. Other mesothelioma types include the pericardial (which forms within the tissue around the heart) and testicular (which affects the lining around the testicles).It is difficult to diagnose the early stages of mesothelioma because they are similar to other diseases. Your doctor might recommend magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scan (CT). These tests can detect abdominal masses and measure the rate at which they grow. Your doctor could inject dye into your bloodstream in order to make the mass visible on the CT scan. Your doctor may also conduct an examination to collect and test mesothelioma cells and tissue. A peritonal biopsy is the most common procedure to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Your doctor could also conduct a peritoneal biopsy in order to collect fluid for analysis or a laparotomy, which removes the tumors and relieves pressure and pain.Your doctor will discuss treatment options once a diagnosis has been confirmed. The type of mesothelioma that you are diagnosed with determines your likelihood of survival. You may receive chemotherapy or surgical procedures.Your surgeon can eliminate mesothelioma tumors with a surgical procedure called cytoreduction as well as hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy (HIPEC). HIPEC involves adding a heated mixture of chemotherapy drugs to the abdominal cavity after surgery. This treatment can remove any mesothelioma microscopic that might have been left behind following surgery, and improve the chance of surviving. A palliative medicine specialist can prescribe medications to control the pain and side effects. They may also refer you to physical or occupational therapy and recommend alternative therapies.PrognosisThe prognosis for peritoneal mesothelioma is based on the nature and location of the disease, and also on how advanced it is at diagnosis. Mesothelioma can start in tissues of the chest (pleura) or within the lining of the abdomen. Pleural mesothelioma which is more prevalent, has a greater survival rate. Peritoneal mesothelioma on other hand, has a lower prognosis. Mesothelioma can also spread to other parts of the body.Doctors may use a scoring system to determine how advanced the mesothelioma may be at the time of diagnosis. One such system is the PERC (peritoneal Cancer Index). The PERC scores cancer according to how much it has spread. It is basing itself on the Butchart staging system. Stage I is a localized tumor that can be completely removed, while stage 4 is an increased prevalence of disease in which tumors have infiltrated organs.A PERC score can also reveal whether the mesothelioma has epithelioid characteristics or sarcomatoid. This is crucial, since these types of cancer have distinct behavior and responses to treatment. The mesothelioma sarcomatoid type is more difficult to treat than epithelioid type, but there is hope for patients.If doctors are able to confirm a mesothelioma diagnose, they can offer treatments to help control symptoms and improve the quality of life. This could include palliative care and pain relief. Palliative care is a team comprised of specialists that include nurses, physical and occupational therapists and a nutritionist who can assist you in managing your symptoms.Mesothelioma patients also get therapy from a therapist in order to help them cope with the possibility of a death diagnosis. They may also receive financial help to pay for their care. Many patients with mesothelioma have received compensation from the asbestos companies responsible for their exposure.A mesothelioma specialist is the best person to consult if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma specialists have decades of experience and the expertise required to offer patients the highest level of treatment available. Utilize our no-cost physician match program to locate the right specialist in your area. Our experts are ready to answer any questions you may have about the best mesothelioma doctors.