Peritoneal Mesothelioma
A thin membrane of mesothelial cells, known as the peritoneum envelops many of the organs in the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a tumor that is on this membrane. Its only known cause is exposure to asbestos, and because it can lay dormant for many years it is not detected until the tumor has begun to grow. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for about one-fifth of all mesothelioma cases.
Like any cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma can be either benign or malignant.
Mesothelioma is sometimes diagnosed by chance, before any symptoms have appeared. For example, the tumor is sometimes seen on a routine abdominal x-ray for a check-up or before surgery.
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma typically include abdominal pains, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space, a condition known as ascites. Over time the symptoms can become more and more severe.
The growing tumor can exert increasing pressure on the organs in the abdomen, leading to bowel obstruction and distention. If the tumor presses upward, it can limit breathing. The tumor may push against areas with many nerve fibers, and the bowel distends, the amount of pain can increase.
X-rays and CT scans are, typically, the first step towards detecting peritoneal mesothelioma. The actual diagnosis is achieved by obtaining a piece of tissue. The procedure of looking at the peritoneum is known as a peritoneoscopy and requires anesthesia. If an abnormality is seen, the doctor will attempt to obtain a tissue sample - this procedure is called a biopsy. A pathologist will make a diagnosis by a microscopic analysis of specialized stains.
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