Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma of the Peritoneum

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the mesothelial tissue lining that surrounds and protects the abdominal cavity, or peritoneum (also called mesothelioma of the peritoneum). Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most commonly diagnosed type of malignant mesothelioma, accounting for approximately 10 to 20% of all cases of malignant mesothelioma.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is one of three types of malignant mesothelioma, the other two of which include pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the pleura) and pericardial mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the pericardium). The only known cause of any of the aforementioned types of malignant mesothelioma is exposure to a metamorphic mineral group called asbestos. Asbestos exposure has been linked with a variety of serious diseases, others of which include asbestos lung cancer, asbestosis, asbestos laryngeal cancer and diffuse pleural thickening.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

The most common presenting symptom of peritoneal mesothelioma is a buildup of serous fluid within the peritoneal space, a common symptom referred to as ascites. An onset of ascites can cause chronic abdominal pain. If the fluid buildup pushes up against the diaphragm, it can cause breathing difficulties.

Although ascites is the most common presenting symptom of peritoneal mesothelioma, there are a number of additional symptoms indicative of the rare asbestos cancer:

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The onset of peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms typically serves as the first step towards diagnosing the rare asbestos cancer. An initial peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis can be made through the study of an imaging scan (x-ray, MRI, CT scan, PET scan, etc.). While an imaging scan can serve as an indicator alerting a physician to the possible presence of cancer, a definitive diagnosis cannot be confirmed without the aid of a diagnostic surgical procedure called a biopsy.

During a biopsy, a section of suspect tissue is excised and examined by a histopathologist experienced in the study of diseased tissue. A histopathologist can confirm a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis, stage the disease and learn about the cellular makeup of the cancer. A given case of peritoneal mesothelioma can be typed based on its histological classification: epithelioid mesothelioma, sarcomatoid mesothelioma or biphasic mesothelioma.

The earlier a case of peritoneal mesothelioma is diagnosed, the more options a specialist will have in suggesting a course of treatment. Unfortunately, the average post-diagnostic survival time of malignant mesothelioma sufferers is between one and two years.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatments

Peritoneal mesothelioma treatments have thus far proven unsuccessful in providing curative relief from the virulent asbestos cancer. Traditional surgical, chemotherapeutic and radiotherapy treatments have been able to provide little, save for a brief extension of life. As such, mesothelioma research is focused on the development of new and innovative modalities designed to succeed where traditional methods have not.

Some of the newer peritoneal mesothelioma treatments that are currently being developed include:

It is hoped that these newly developed mesothelioma treatments will yield more successful results than the more traditional modalities. Although the newly developed mesothelioma treatments have provided some positive results in clinical trials, they have yet to yield any curative results.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatments - Palliation

While curative mesothelioma treatments have proven to be ineffective in treating peritoneal mesothelioma, palliative treatments have proven to be successful in lessening the effects of certain symptoms associated with the cancer of the peritoneum. Patients suffering from ascites can undergo a procedure to have serous fluid drained from the peritoneal space to reduce swelling and lessen abdominal discomfort. Additional palliative treatments can lessen the effects of other common peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms.

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