Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare type of mesothelioma, developing in the abdominal region and it is caused by asbestos exposure followed by the tiny asbestos fibers inserted into the peritoneum. Mesothelioma patients need do have an initial diagnosis provided by the doctor right after they experience the first symptoms associated with peritoneal mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma treatments
Malignant or pleural mesothelioma are two forms of the cancer caused by asbestos that are treated in similar ways to peritoneal mesothelioma, if it is malignant. Here are some of the methods used:
- chemotherapy
- surgery
- radiation therapy (also used with peritoneal mesothelioma that developed tumors near the mesothelium)
- alternative treatment methods (mostly used to cure symptoms and relieve pain)
Peritoneal mesothelioma Prognosis
After a few chemotherapy cycles, a malignant peritoneal mesothelioma patient is given the first prognosis (how he or she is expected to react to further treatment methods and how long he or she is expected to live from that moment on). Cancer prognosis is usually not very bright for people diagnosed late in the development of the disease, but some cases have been known to exceed the life expectancy suggested by doctors handling the specific case. Peritoneal mesothelioma prognosis is altered by many factors:
- the general health condition of the person
- age
- reaction to treatment
- whether or not he or she follow a specific diet
- whether or not the peritoneal mesothelioma is malignant or not
Prognosis figures include some interesting facts about peritoneal mesothelioma patients. Half of them were suffering from a non malignant form of the disease, so their lives weren't threatened by the disease. The other half of recorded peritoneal mesothelioma cases have been known to live more than 2 years after the initial diagnosis. Some cases even reached 5 years.
Patients should not avoid seeing the doctor if they determine that the peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms experienced are similar to those associated with any form of mesothelioma, and they should also try to avoid asbestos related products as much as possible, even if more and more of these items are being banned from a large number of countries. Most of the peritoneal mesothelioma cases were recorded in areas where large mining stations or factories were placed. You should know if such industries are located in the vicinity of your home, and thus being able to ask advice on how to avoid exposure completely.
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