Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the stomach lining, most likely as a result of ingesting asbestos fibers. This type of mesothelioma accounts for a whopping 20 - 25% of all mesothelioma cases. But the good news is, patients with this diagnosis face a longer life expectancy that those suffering from other types of cancer, especially those who catch the onset quickly, as is the case for most cancers.
How the asbestos leads to this type of mesothelioma is yet unknown for certain, however two theories suggest that the fibers either spread from digestive organs to the lining of the stomach or travel to the lining by way of the lymphatic system. Either way, the body has a challenging time trying to expel these fibers.
The tricky part, which is also common to other types of mesothelioma, is that the disease can often go undetected due to a lack of clear symptoms or symptoms that relate to non-cancerous afflictions. Many people walk into their doctor’s office with a stomach ache, perhaps a severe one, and the ailment can go misdiagnosed as a hernia, allergies, or other stomach problems.
Some symptoms and warning signs to watch out for should you suspect peritoneal mesothelioma are:
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Anemia
- Fever and/or sweating
- Seizures
- Bowel problems
- Blood clots
Perhaps the most common symptom in patients with this condition is a buildup of fluid in pockets within the abdominal region known as ascites. Following this occurrence, tumors typically form marking the next stage of the cancer where those tumors develop and weigh down internal organs with tremendous pressure.
Because peritoneal mesothelioma mimics several other stomach ailments, it is important that the diagnosis be achieved through thorough examination. To begin, your doctor will probably request x-rays of your chest and abdominal area followed by a CT Scan and perhaps an MRI to get a closer look. Finally, a biopsy is typically performed where a small piece of tissue is extracted and examined for cancerous cells.
