What is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen (also known as the peritoneum). This type of cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers which can become lodged in the lining of the abdomen and lead to the development of cancer cells over time.
What Are Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survival Rates?
Peritoneal mesothelioma has a poor prognosis so median survival rate of approximately 1 year after diagnosis. With aggressive treatment (such as a combination of cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)) the 5-year survival rate can improve significantly. Studies have shown that the 5-year survival rate for patients who undergo this treatment is around 50%.
Stage-1: 5 year survival rate is about 87%
Stage-2: 5 year survival rate is about 53%
Stage-3: 5 year survival rate is about 29%
What Are The Statistics About Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Statistics related to peritoneal mesothelioma in below:
- Incidence: Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for around 10-20% of all mesothelioma cases. It is estimated that there are around 250 new cases of peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosed each year in the United States.
- Age And Gender: Peritoneal mesothelioma is more commonly diagnosed in men than women. In men accounting for around 80% of cases. It is also more commonly diagnosed in older adults so average age at diagnosis being 60 years.
- Prognosis: Prognosis for peritoneal mesothelioma can change according to a few factors: including the stage of the cancer at diagnosis and the person’s overall health. The average survival time for people with peritoneal mesothelioma is around 12-18 months.
- Risk Factors: Exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor for peritoneal mesothelioma. This could be seen in occupational settings such as construction, shipbuilding and manufacturing, as well as through secondary exposure from a family member who worked with asbestos.
What Are The Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Here are most common symptoms Peritoneal Mesothelioma:
- Abdominal Pain: Pain may be dull, aching or sharp and can be located in different areas of the abdomen. Pain may become more severe over time and may be accompanied by other symptoms like swelling and bloating.
- Abdominal Swelling: This is caused by the buildup of fluid in the abdomen, which is called ascites. Swelling can make a person’s abdomen look and feel larger than normal.
- Digestive Problems: Peritoneal mesothelioma may lead to digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and loss of appetite. These symptoms may be caused by the cancer.
- Weight Loss: A person with peritoneal mesothelioma may experience weight loss because of loss of appetite or the body’s inability to absorb nutrients. This can cause to weakness, fatigue.
- Fatigue: Fatigue is a common symptom of peritoneal mesothelioma and can be caused by the cancer.
- Anemia: Anemia is a condition where the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells. It can be caused by the cancer.
- Fever: Person with peritoneal mesothelioma may experience a fever as a result of an infection or inflammation caused by the cancer.
Please be aware that; not all people with peritoneal mesothelioma will experience all of these symptoms and some people may not experience any symptoms at all until the cancer has progressed to a later stage.
What Are The Causes Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
1. Asbestos Exposure
- Primary Cause: Inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers is the leading cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. These fibers can lodge in the lining of the abdomen, lead to inflammation and cellular damage over time.
- Occupational Exposure: Workers in industries like construction, shipbuilding, mining and manufacturing are at higher risk because of excessive exposure to asbestos.
- Environmental Exposure: Living near asbestos mines or factories can cause to indirect exposure.
2. Ingestion of Asbestos Fibers
- Asbestos fibers can be swallowed through contaminated water or food. These fibers could travel to the peritoneum (where they can lead to long-term irritation and damage) potentially cause to cancer.
3. Secondary Exposure
- Family members of people working with asbestos may also be at risk because of fibers brought home on clothing, hair or personal items.
4. Genetic Predisposition
- Some people could have a genetic susceptibility to developing mesothelioma when exposed to asbestos. Genetic mutations can influence how the body responds to asbestos fibers.
5. Radiation Exposure
- In rare cases, exposure to high doses of radiation or the use of some radioactive materials has been linked to mesothelioma.
6. Other Potential Factors
Simian Virus 40 (SV40): Some studies have suggested a potential link between SV40 (a virus found in contaminated polio vaccines from the mid-20th century) and mesothelioma but the evidence remains unclear.
Zeolite Exposure: Zeolites (a type of mineral chemically related to asbestos) have also been linked to mesothelioma in regions where they naturally occur.
What Are The Diagnosing Ways For Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Peritoneal mesothelioma could be challenging to diagnose because the symptoms are often non-specific and can be caused by a variety of other conditions. Here are some of the methods used to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma:
- Medical History And Physical Exam: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history and any potential exposure to asbestos or other toxins. They will also perform a physical exam to look for signs of fluid buildup or other abnormalities in the abdomen, like as swelling or tenderness.
- Imaging Tests: Imaging tests are used to screen the abdomen and identify any abnormalities as fluid buildup or tumors. CT scans, MRI scans and X-rays are commonly used imaging tests for peritoneal mesothelioma. These tests can help identify the location and size of any tumors, as well as any fluid buildup in the abdomen.
- Biopsy: Biopsy is taking a sample of tissue from the affected area and examining it under a microscope to look for cancer cells. There are several ways to perform a biopsy for peritoneal mesothelioma: needle biopsy, laparoscopic biopsy and open surgical biopsy. In a needle biopsy; a thin needle is inserted through the skin and into the affected area to collect a tissue sample. In a laparoscopic biopsy; small incision is made in the abdomen and a thin tube with a camera is inserted to guide the biopsy. In an open surgical biopsy; larger incision is made in the abdomen to collect the tissue sample.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests can help detect proteins that are associated with mesothelioma. These tests are not diagnostic on their own but they can be used in combination with other tests to help diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma.
Once a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma has been made additional tests may be performed to determine the extent of the cancer and to help guide treatment options. These tests may include additional imaging tests, such as PET scans or ultrasound, as well as other laboratory tests to assess organ function and overall health.
What Are The Stage Of Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Peritoneal mesothelioma is typically classified into four stages based on the size and extent of the tumor(s), as well as the degree of metastasis (spread) to nearby tissues and organs. Staging system commonly used for peritoneal mesothelioma is called the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI). Here is four stages of peritoneal mesothelioma:
- Stage 1: Tumor is localized to the peritoneum and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs. Cancer is considered operable and may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or a combination of both.
- Stage 2: Tumor has spread beyond the peritoneum but has not yet spread to distant organs. Cancer may be treated with surgery and chemotherapy, although the prognosis is generally worse than in stage 1.
- Stage 3: Tumor has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes. Surgery may be more difficult at this stage and the cancer is typically treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Stage 4: Tumor has spread to distant organs like the lungs or liver. Treatment options are limited at this stage and the goal is typically to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
What Are the Treatment Options for Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma change according to the stage of the cancer, as well as the health sonditions and needs of the patient. Here are treatment options for peritoneal mesothelioma:
- Surgery: Surgery may be used to remove as much of the cancer as possible. This may involve removing the affected peritoneum, as well as any nearby organs or tissue that are effected by the cancer. Surgery may be performed alone or in combination with other treatments.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs for kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given before or after surgery to help shrink the tumor and reduce the risk of recurrence. Chemotherapy may also be used as a palliative treatment to relieve symptoms in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer.
- Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy or it may be used as a palliative treatment to relieve symptoms.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer cells. Immunotherapy drugs may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
- Palliative Care: Palliative care involves the use of treatments to manage symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. Palliative care may include pain management, nutritional support and other supportive therapies.
5 Advice Against Peritoneal Nesothelioma
Here are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing mesothelioma:
- Avoid asbestos exposure: Mesothelioma is most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction and manufacturing until the 1970s. Avoiding exposure to asbestos is the best way to reduce your risk of developing mesothelioma.
- Take precautions if you work with asbestos: If you work in an industry where you may be exposed to asbestos, such as construction or manufacturing, it’s important to take appropriate safety precautions to minimize your risk of exposure. This may include wearing protective clothing and equipment and following proper safety procedures.
- Be aware of potential asbestos exposure in your home: If you live in an older home, there may be asbestos-containing materials such as insulation, flooring or roofing. If you are planning to do any renovations or repairs, it’s important to have the materials tested for asbestos and to take appropriate safety precautions if asbestos is present.
- Get regular checkups: If you have a history of asbestos exposure, it’s important to get regular checkups with your healthcare provider to monitor for any signs of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: While there is no guaranteed way to prevent mesothelioma, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your overall risk of developing cancer. This may include getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, and managing stress.
Advice For Living With Peritoneal Nesothelioma
Here are some advice for living with peritoneal mesothelioma:
- Seek medical care from a doctor: Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare and complex cancer and it’s important to work with a doctor who have experience in treating this disease.
- Explore your treatment options: There are a variety of treatment options available for peritoneal mesothelioma such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy.
- Consider clinical trials: Clinical trials are research studies that test new treatments or therapies for cancer. Participating in a clinical trial could offer access to new and innovative treatments that are not yet available to the general public.
- Get help: Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma can be overwhelming and it’s important to seek emotional and social support. Such as talking to a counselor, joining a support group or connecting with other people who have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.
- Take care of yourself: Managing the physical and emotional symptoms of cancer can be difficult but taking care of yourself could be very helpful for you cope with it.
We wish happy and healthy life for you…
Also you can find another for another common cancer type “blood cancer” in below page:
