Abdominal Mesothelioma CancerTreatment is the key to peritoneal msothelioma patients' life expectancy. Some live for more than 10 years after diagnosis, before becoming mesothelioma patients.Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by using x-rays or CT scans. They can also use a peritoneoscope to look at the abdomen.The symptoms of mesothelioma are comparable to other conditions. This is why mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize.SymptomsUnlike pleural mesothelioma, which affects the tissue around the lungs and chest cavity, peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the abdominal lining. It develops when ingested asbestos fibers get caught in the digestive tract and travel to the peritoneum, where they can remain trapped for a long time leading to inflammation and genetic damage. In the process, malignant cells form that grow and place pressure on organs. The mesothelioma type is more rare than pleural mesothelioma. However, it is still possible to be spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs.A genetic mutation of a cell could cause it to expand uncontrollably. These abnormal cells may develop into a large tumor or several smaller nodules within the body. Mesothelioma can occur in the tissues of the chest stomach, abdomen or testicles. There are four types, including pericardial, peritoneal, and pleural mesothelioma.The most frequently reported symptoms of mesothelioma are trouble breathing, a persistent cough that does not go away and fatigue. Mesothelioma patients can also suffer from stomach discomfort, bloating and diarrhea. The symptoms are usually not evident until the cancer has advanced. This can cause delays in diagnosis and treatments.Because peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms resemble those of other conditions, it is important to consult your doctor whenever you notice these symptoms. Your doctor will run tests and review your mesothelioma-related past to determine if the symptoms could be related to the disease.If the patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma the treatment may improve their chances of survival and ease their symptoms. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy to kill mesothelioma cancer cells and prevent the spread of mesothelioma to other parts of the body.The process of going through mesothelioma treatment may be stressful for the patients and their families. A mesothelioma specialist can assist to make this a smoother experience. The more information that you can give your mesothelioma physician, the better he or she can treat your disease. They can also offer guidance on how to manage your symptoms after treatment.DiagnosisPeritoneal mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer in the lining of the abdomen. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. Patients should consult a mesothelioma specialist. They have the expertise and tools to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma correctly. They can also treat the condition.Doctors will go through your medical records and perform physical examinations to determine a diagnosis. They will look for lumps or other indications of mesothelioma. They may also order imaging tests like an CT scan, MRI or X-ray. These tests offer a more detailed image of the body than X-rays. The results will help them determine if you suffer from mesothelioma tumor and how far it has spread.A doctor will perform a biopsy on any suspicious tissue to confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis. There are many types of mesothelioma biopsies that are available. A physician will determine the procedure that is most suitable for your symptoms. For example the procedure of a paracentesis is to collect the peritoneal fluid from the abdomen to test. In the majority of cases however, a surgeon will perform an laparoscopic biopsy.After the mesothelioma experts test the biopsy, they are able to determine if the cells are cancerous. They will also determine the tumor's stage, which can impact your prognosis. They will employ the TNM system (tumors nodes, tumors, and metastases), to determine the stages of mesothelioma.Mesothelioma can be classified into three types of cells. Epithelioid cancer cells tend to be more responsive to treatment and last longer than sarcomatoid cancer cells which tend to be more aggressive. There are also biphasic cancers of mesothelioma, which have epithelioid cells and sarcomatoid cells.Mesothelioma staging is important since it helps doctors decide on the most appropriate treatment for you. A peritoneal mesothelioma specialist will likely determine your stage based on the severity of your symptoms and how the tumor has spread throughout the abdominal cavity. They will also look at your general health and whether you are suitable for clinical trials. They will then develop a treatment plan to fit your specific requirements.TreatmentMesothelioma cancer cells are formed from thin asbestos fibers that are absorbed into the body by breathing or swallowing. Asbestos fibers cause irritation and inflammation, and also damage DNA. This leads to tumors and abnormal cell growth over time. The cancer cells can irritate the abdominal lining (peritoneum), which results in abdominal fluid accumulation and other signs. Mesothelioma is most common in the pleura. It is the membrane that lines the chest cavity and protects the lungs. However, it can affect the lining of the abdomen and other organs. Other types of mesothelioma include the pericardial, which develops in the tissue that surrounds the heart and testicular, which affects the lining of the testicles.The first stage of mesothelioma is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Your doctor may recommend a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests can identify abdominal masses and measure the rate at which they grow. Your doctor might inject a dye into your bloodstream to make the masses more visible on the CT scan. Your doctor can also conduct a biopsy to collect mesothelioma tissue and cells. A Peritoneal biopsy is the most popular procedure to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Your doctor can also perform a peritoneal biopsy to collect fluid to analyze or a laparotomy, which eliminates the tumors and alleviates pain and pressure.Your doctor will discuss the treatment options after the diagnosis is confirmed. Your prognosis is determined by the type of mesothelioma that you are diagnosed with. You could receive a combination of chemotherapy and surgical procedures.Your surgeon can remove mesothelioma-related tumors by using a surgical procedure called the cytoreduction technique using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). HIPEC involves adding a heated mixture of chemotherapy drugs into the abdominal cavity following surgery. This treatment can remove any mesothelioma microscopic that might have been left behind following surgery, and can increase your chances of surviving. A specialist in palliative care can prescribe medication to manage pain and side effects. They may also refer you to physical or occupational therapy and suggest complementary therapies.PrognosisThe prognosis for peritoneal mesothelioma depends on the nature and location of the disease, and also how advanced it is at diagnosis. Mesothelioma can begin in the tissue of the chest (pleura) or the abdomen's lining. Pleural mesothelioma, which is more prevalent, has a greater survival rate. Peritoneal mesothelioma on contrary, has a less favorable prognosis. Mesothelioma can also expand, or metastasize, from the site of origin to other areas of the body.Doctors may use scoring methods to determine the stage of mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis. One such system is the PERC (peritoneal Cancer Index). This system ranks the cancer based on how far it has spread. It is based upon the Butchart staging. Stage I is an isolated lesion that could be completely removed, while stage IV is more affluent disease with tumors invading organs. is mesothelioma lung cancer can determine if the mesothelioma cancer is epithelioid or sarcomatoid. This is important because these types respond differently to treatment. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma can be more difficult to treat than an epithelioid one however, this doesn't mean that patients cannot have a chance.When doctors have a definitive mesothelioma diagnosis, they can provide treatments to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. This can include palliative and pain relief. Palliative care is a team of professionals, which includes nurses, occupational and physical therapy therapists, and a nutritionist who can assist you in managing your symptoms.Patients suffering from mesothelioma may also receive support by a therapist who will assist them when they receive the diagnosis of terminal. They may also receive financial assistance to help pay for their treatment. Many patients with mesothelioma have received compensation from asbestos-related companies responsible for their exposure.A mesothelioma specialist is the most appropriate person to talk to when you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma specialists have decades of experience and the knowledge necessary to provide patients with the best treatment available. Find a specialist close to you with our free doctor matching program. Our experts can answer any questions you have about the best mesothelioma specialists.