11/08/2007
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that arises in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is made up of visceral and parietal membranes (thin layers of tissue), which surround organs and body cavities, such as the lungs or abdomen. The visceral membrane immediately surrounds the organ, and the parietal membrane is a sac covering the visceral membrane. There is a lubricating fluid between these membranes that make up the mesothelium. This fluid helps organs move easily among surrounding structures. In the case of the lung, it helps reduce friction between the lung and chest wall during normal breathing as the lung expands. There are different types of mesothelioma, depending where it is found in the body. In the abdomen, it is called peritoneal mesothelioma ; on the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma ; and if it develops on the heart, pericardial mesothelioma .
What causes mesothelioma?
Asbestos is a major known cause Studies show that asbestos is a major cause of mesothelioma. By various estimates, it accounts for about 75-80% of all mesothelioma cases in the United States . Asbestos is a mineral that occurs as a long, thin fiber in the environment. Before its usage was banned due to health dangers in the 1980s, it was used in many industrial and insulation materials as a fire retardant. Some of the jobs in which people have been exposed to asbestos directly or indirectly are those that involve factory work, demolition, insulation, shipbuilding, carpentry, and installation of brake linings in vehicles. Despite rigorous efforts to eliminate asbestos from our environment, some public and private buildings still contain asbestos.
Personnel who remove asbestos from such structures or work around asbestos are required to wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure. Asbestos fibers may be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs, which can cause damage. If swallowed, asbestos may lead to peritoneal mesothelioma. Scientists are still researching exactly how asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma. It may be by a direct action on the cells of the body or by forming substances that affect genes in the body.
There may be other causes Although asbestos is the major cause of mesothelioma, up to 30-50% of all cases are not obviously related to prior asbestos exposure. Other possible causes include prior exposure to radiation or to certain minerals closely related to asbestos that are found in the soil. Smoking has not been shown to be a cause of mesothelioma. However, if a smoker has also been exposed to asbestos, this greatly increases his or her risk of developing other types of lung cancer.
What are the facts about mesothelioma?
It takes a long time to develop Mesothelioma is characterized by having a long latency period, which means that symptoms don't develop for 20-50 years after environmental exposure. The average age at which symptoms usually begin to appear is around 60 years old. It is a relatively rare disease An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the US . In other countries, the number of cases differs. Overall, the number of cases reported each year appears to be increasing. It occurs in men more than in women Mesothelioma affects men about three times more often than women in the US .
Incidence rises steadily with age. In other parts of the world, where exposure comes primarily from other environmental sources, such as in Turkey , mesothelioma occurs about equally in men and women. It develops mostly on the lungs The most common place for mesothelioma to develop is on the lungs. About two-thirds of all mesothelioma cases develop in the pleural mesothelium. This mesothelioma on the lungs is called malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The remaining cases develop in the peritoneal mesothelium in the abdomen. A tumor in the abdominal mesothelium is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other mesothelial tissue, such as on the heart or on the reproductive organs.
About Author http://www41.websamba.com/mesox
10/26/2007
Facts Concerning Peritoneal Mesothelioma Patients in California
About 10% of all Mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed in the United States today are cases of Peritoneal Mesothelioma. There are nearly 3000 newly diagnosed cases of it diagnosed every year, which means that about 300 cases of Peritoneal Mesothelioma are diagnosed annually.
The human body has numerous protective linings which encase various internal organs. Mesothelioma is the name given to the cancer which attacks this protective lining, which is only known to be cause by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is used as a fire resistant, cost effective, building material which lingers in factories, the automotive industry, the construction industry, destroyed buildings, and some older, smaller building that have been converted into office buildings usually found in cities and house small business personally owned and operated by small business entrepreneurs.
Asbestos related diseases are a horrific scar on the humanity of our free commerce society. Business owners neglectfully and reprehensively allowed the continuous exposure of their employees to the cancer causing asbestos without regard for their welfare, future health, or the potential consequences. The effects of asbestos were known as early as the 1920s, although there have been reports which speculate that the hazards of asbestos were well known as early as the late 1890s. One of the greatest human tragedies of wrongful infliction is the fact that asbestos laws which restricted (not eliminated) the use of asbestos weren't passed until 1980. Apparently the American government wasn't all that concerned with the fate of its laborers.
Mesothelioma is known to attack the protective lining of various organs in three different areas of the body, the heart, the lungs, and the abdominal organs such as the spleen, liver, kidneys, and intestines. Mesothelioma that attacks the lining of the lungs, which is the most common type of Mesothelioma, is known as Pleural Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma which attacks the lining that protects the heart, is the rarest form of it, is known as Pericardial Mesothelioma. Pericardial Mesothelioma is also considered the deadliest form of it with the shortest life span after diagnosis. The form of Mesothelioma which attacks the lining which protects the abdominal organs is known as Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma in all forms if often very difficult to detect, and diagnosis is often made too late to effectively offer hope of life after it. Even the best Mesothelioma doctors typically can not offer hope of survival since it is typically diagnosed well after the onset of symptoms when the disease has progressed beyond the early, more treatable stages of it.
Regardless, patients diagnosed with Mesothelioma should seek out the best doctors available. Cutting edge technology and cancer research may still offer hope one day. Doctors are intimately involved with the progression of Mesothelioma as well as medical research progress and will be the first to be able to offer new and innovative treatments.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma often mimics other rare diseases, and without the information of previous long term asbestos exposure, many doctors who are not specialists are unaware that they should be considering the possibility of Mesothelioma when diagnosing the accompanying symptoms. Patients with undiagnosed or diagnosed Peritoneal Mesothelioma may experience symptoms which include abdominal swelling, bowel obstructions and other bowel issues, fever, weight loss, weakness, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients may choose to spend their time fighting the disease and undergoing treatments which may involve surgery, palliative therapies, chemotherapy, and radiation therapies. Treating Peritoneal Mesothelioma leads to great physical difficulty and challenges beyond the disease itself, and often patients who are treating Mesothelioma with conventional methods find the treatment process too exhaustive.
Other Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients find that they would rather spend their remaining time as comfortable as possible and with as much quality time with their families and friends as possible. It takes decades to expose itself after asbestos exposure, and sometimes there are legal avenues which patients decide to follow in an effort to hold the responsible company accountable for its neglectful attitudes on asbestos exposure.
Other patients decide that are filing Mesothelioma lawsuits are not a valuable way to spend their time. In some cases, the government has limited a Mesothelioma victim's ability to decide whether or not filing a lawsuit is in their best interest.Regardless of how a Mesothelioma victim decides to spend their time, the fact of the matter remains that it is a needless and horribly distressing disease that could by all reasonable means be prevented. There is simply no reasonable excuse for the continuation of diagnoses.
About the Author
Nick Johnson is lead counsel and founding partner of Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving all types of Mesothelioma. Call 1-888-311-5522 today or visit http://www.nickjohnsonlaw.com for a free case evaluation.
Medical Treatment If You Live in California And Were Diagnosed With Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Medical Treatment If You Live in California And Were Diagnosed With Peritoneal Mesotheliomaby nickjohnsonlaw
Mesothelioma is a tragic and deadly form of cancer, caused by exposure to asbestos, that often shows signs between ten and forty years after contraction, although a few cases have popped up as long as sixty years after the asbestos exposure. There are three main types of Mesothelioma, each named after which part of the body it attacks. Pleural Mesothelioma attacks the protective lining of the lungs, which is called the pleura. Pericardial Mesothelioma attacks the protective lining around the heart, while Peritoneal Mesothelioma is centrally focused on the abdominal cavity.
All forms of Mesothelioma are treated like cancer. Aggressive treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often used, as well as surgical options when appropriate.
Peritoneal is not the most common form of Mesothelioma, but it can certainly be equally as deadly as any other form of Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma develops in the lining of the intended target and manifests over decades before finally releasing itself on the victim. Most cases of Mesothelioma only carry a maximum of a twenty four month life span. Mesothelioma progresses quickly, and often debilitates within months or even weeks of showing initial symptoms such as weight loss and loss of appetite, bowel distress, abdominal cramping or pain, or abdominal swelling or obstruction.
Mesothelioma treatments are not easy to deal with and take quite a bit out of the body. Peritoneal Mesothelioma treatments have the best shot at directing an affected body toward health when Peritoneal Mesothelioma is diagnosed prior to the onset of symptoms. Mesothelioma doctors and Mesothelioma lawyers agree that those who know or suspect that they have been exposed to asbestos in the past should get regular Mesothelioma testing done to attempt to diagnose this deadly disease early. The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chances of surviving Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can often be treated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves either intravenously introducing cancer killing chemicals into the body or allowing the patient to ingest the chemical concoctions in pill form. Either way, the goal is to kill the cancer cells with a dictated set of chemicals that are known to kill the Mesothelioma cancer cells.
Chemotherapy comes with its share of risks and physical complications. The body does not appreciate the chemicals that are introduced to the Mesothelioma cells. A feeling of illness often accompanies chemotherapy. Weight loss, the loss of hair, the loss of appetite, the loss of taste, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting are just a few of the symptoms a Mesothelioma patient can expect to go through when undergoing chemotherapy. Chemo therapy can weaken the immune system as well as exhaust the body to the point that continuing with chemotherapy is actually just too much for the patient to handle.
When treating Peritoneal Mesothelioma with chemotherapy, radiation is often added to the treatment plan. Treating Peritoneal Mesothelioma with radiation involves introduction radiation directly into the heart of the tumor or tumors. When radiation and chemotherapy are used together to attempt to kill the Mesothelioma cancer cells, the patient tends to feel drastically ill, and treatment rounds are often scheduled with a reasonable break in between to allow the patient to recover.
Mesothelioma treatments are difficult to go through, difficult on families, expensive, and in the case of Mesothelioma, are often unsuccessful at prolonging healthy life. Mesothelioma doctors are frustrated that they do not have greater resources or advanced research at their disposal. Despite cutting edge technology, Mesothelioma is not very high on the list of cancer researchers agendas as it is still considered a rare disease.
Some Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients undergo a surgical procedure where the protective lining which encases the spleen, stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines is removed. In some Mesothelioma patients, this has proven to lead to the removal of most of the cancer, which is the only time that this procedure is really recommended.
Palliative therapies are often added to the regimen of treatments for Peritoneal Mesothelioma patients. Palliative therapies help to relieve the immense pressure which can build up inside the abdomen when dealing with Peritoneal Mesothelioma. The fluid accumulation that builds up inside the abdomen can be relieved via suction, often placing a needle or various forms of suction into the abdomen and drawing out the build up of fluids.
The earlier that treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma begins, the greater the chance the patient has at survival. Mesothelioma is highly deadly, and without early detection, the painful treatment options typically are used to extend life for as long as there is still a quality of life to extend.
About the Author
Nick Johnson is lead counsel and founding partner of Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving all types of Mesothelioma. Call 1-888-311-5522 today or visit http://www.nickjohnsonlaw.com/ for a free case evaluation.
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of a cancer that has been attributed to prolonged exposure of asbestos, a material used in many older buildings and fabrics. After exposure to asbestos, it does take some time for symptoms to appear, and often the cancer has by then done more damage that anyone would have liked. Still, knowing the symptoms that this terrible disease creates will help people infected with it to catch it fast enough for doctors to work on helping with the damage it has caused.
There are two main types of mesothelioma: pleural and peritoneal. Pleural mesothelioma affects the chest cavity and the lungs, attacking the protective membrane surrounding the two areas. Peritoneal mesothelioma, on the other hand, is a cancer of the lining of the abdominal cavity. It is much less common than the pleural form, making up only one-fifth to one-third of the mesothelioma cases. This form of cancer still takes many years to show up, but is quicker to do so than pleural mesothelioma. The symptoms begin to show 20-30 years after exposure to asbestos rather than 30-40 years.
Symptoms for peritoneal mesothelioma begin with very nondescript occurrences. This could include some cramps, coughing, fever, etc. Basically, they will be symptoms that could be contributed to a number of other, more common, ailments. However, as the cancer progresses, more pronounced symptoms will occur, mainly relating to the abdomen and stomach. These symptoms may include abdominal pain, abdominal mass, increased abdominal girth, distention of the abdomen, fluid in the abdomen, a higher fever, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, and digestive disturbances. Often, this form of cancer will be found incidentally when patients go in for gallbladder or pelvic treatments.
Once the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma have presented themselves, doctors need to actually find the cancer in order to make a proper diagnosis. ACT is performed and if cancer is present, it will come to bear in two ways. The first way is referred to as "dry", meaning the cancer has lumped itself into one large mass and there is little or no fluid to be found. The "wet" method is the opposite. Fluid can be found collected in the abdomen and the cancer has been broken up into a number of smaller masses throughout the abdominal cavity.
All of this only occurs, though, if the symptoms of the peritoneal mesothelioma are caught. Since the symptoms that do occur involve the abdominal cavity, it is easy for many people to attribute them to the more common abdominal problems. That 's why it 's important to always check with your doctor. Stomach pains could occur for many reasons, and if they do so especially with the other listed symptoms, it 's better to be safe than sorry.
The symptoms for both types of mesothelioma start off years after the cancer has begun to grow, making it a difficult to catch the disease in its early stages. This is why mesothelioma is so dangerous. It often can't be treated because, by the time it 's found, it has already become malignant. And even when the symptoms do start coming to bear, they often aren't linked with cancer right away, because they are the same symptoms that can be found tied to other, more common diseases. Coughing, fevers, and cramps aren't something most people rush to the doctor for, unless they're out of hand. Most of the times people think it 's just the flu, and it won't be until the symptoms get very bad that the doctors will come around to find it 's cancer.
If you're worried about the symptoms being part of your own life, and you know you have worked with asbestos in the past, you should get checked out just in case. Even if you only worked with asbestos twenty years ago, you still may be starting to exhibit mesothelioma symptoms. The earlier you are able to catch the tumors the better of a chance you have at removing them. Mesothelioma is a dangerous cancer, and once you know you have it you have very little time to try and stop it.
As more research is going into mesothelioma, new ways at catching the symptoms and treating the cancer itself are coming out. While there is no magic cure for mesothelioma, simply being aware of yourself, your body, and the symptoms that those who suffer from mesothelioma go through, you could be much safer in the long run.
About the Author
Nick Johnson is lead counsel with Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving Fen-Phen and PPH, Paxil, Mesothelioma and Nursing Home Abuse. Call Nick Johnson at 1-888-311-5522 or visit http://www.johnsonlawgroup.com
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Surgical Procedures
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is considerably rare, accounting for only between 10% and 20% of all Mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos exposure that affects the abdominal tissue, more specifically the lining in the abdominal wall. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is most often deadly, although treatment options are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and the survival rate is ever so slowly creeping upward.
Surgical options for a patient that has been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma include a procedure known as paracentesis and a procedure called peritonectomy. A paracentesis is a procedure that removes the fluid build up from between the lining of the abdominal cavity and the abdomen.
A paracentesis is usually opted for prior to a peritonectomy. A paracentesis may relieve the fluid pressure for awhile, although some patients get lucky and the fluid does not return to the extent of having to perform the procedure again. However, if a paracentesis is done and the fluid quickly returns, a peritonectomy is typically recommended. This means the removal of the abdominal wall lining, which will prevent future build up of fluid permanently.
Because surgical procedures are stressful even on a healthy body, some patients opt for a peritonectomy immediately and skip the more conservative procedure, the paracentesis. This means one surgery that is guaranteed to prevent the future build up of fluid, however there are risk factors with a peritonectomy.
The risk of infection in the post operative period is quite high, as the body is already in a weakened state from the cancer. Most physicians will perform a peritonectomy with the intention of making the patient more comfortable, as most cases of peritoneal mesothelioma are diagnosed well past the point that the cancer can be surgically removed. A paracentesis or a peritonectomy are purely for the sake of making the patient comfortable.
However, some patients opt for procedures like a paracentesis or a peritonectomy in the hopes of gaining a chance on the slim possibility of a cure. Peritoneal mesothelioma has a very low survival rate, and patients find themselves in the unenviable position of having to choose between procedures that will make them most comfortable and procedures that may extend their life and offer them a small chance at being cured. This of course is a very difficult place to be after being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.
The physician that a patient chooses after being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma is likely to direct their course of treatment. Some physicians opt for surgical procedures like a paracentesis or a peritonectomy while other physicians do not feel the trade off and side effects of surgery are optimal in the face of a disease like peritoneal mesothelioma.
Treatment options such as a paracentesis or a peritonectomy are intrusive procedures that will weaken the body even more. However, a paracentesis or a peritonectomy often provide relief from the painful pressure of fluid build up that prevents patients with peritoneal mesothelioma from being able to participate in life. Each case is different and each case can only be evaluated on its individual merits.
There is of course no easy answer, and a patient with peritoneal mesothelioma will require a great amount of care to retain any amount of quality of life, and the decisions regarding surgical procedures such as paracentesis and peritonectomy are not easy decisions to make. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients face many decisions along the way, and unfortunately none of them ultimately leads to a cure.
Patients of peritoneal mesothelioma do fair better when they enter cancer programs that have a mesothelioma specialty as well as an entire approach to medicine, including nutritional therapies and emotional therapies.
There are no easy answers when faced with the decision to have a paracentesis performed or the option of peritonectomy, or the alternative option of foregoing surgical procedures altogether. Of course, the stronger and more informed a peritoneal mesothelioma patient 's support system, the more equipped he or she will be to make these difficult decisions.
Unfortunately, treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma, including procedures such as peritonectomies and paracentesis are relatively expensive, and factoring the cost of the more conservative approaches to treating this form of cancer such as radiation, chemotherapy, and other therapies, treating peritoneal mesothelioma can be outrageous even with medical insurance.
There is help for those who need it, and patients and family members can be proactive in finding the help they need and deserve. This may mean asking a lot of questions until the right person for the question is found, but there is no reason for a victim of peritoneal mesothelioma or their family members to have to face this disease alone.
About the Author
Nick Johnson is lead counsel and founding partner of Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving all types of Mesothelioma. Call 1-888-311-5522 today or visit http://www.nickjohnsonlaw.com for a free case evaluation.
The Second Most Common Form of Mesothelioma: Peritoneal Mesothelioma
The Second Most Common Form of Mesothelioma: Peritoneal Mesothelioma by johnsonlawgroup
Mesothelioma is a deadly disease which in most cases is preventable. It is precisely this preventability that has raised the visibility of this disease. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is a good idea to acquire the assistance of a mesothelioma lawyer or attorney to discuss the feasibility of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit as you may be eligible to receive a mesothelioma settlement. Also, if someone you know has mesothelioma or has died of the disease, talk with them or their family and recommend that they follow-up with a mesothelioma lawyer.
Within the family of asbestos related diseases called mesothelioma, there is a particular form of cancer which attacks the abdominal lining known as peritoneal mesothelioma. The cause of peritoneal mesothelioma has been identified as exposure to asbestos and asbestos products. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen called the peritoneal and because of this, when an individual is diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, they may also have medical issues related to other organs surrounding the abdomen as well.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the body 's ability to protect the organs in this region by compromising the ability to keep the organs lubricated which enables them shift around and function appropriately. If you research peritoneal mesothelioma, you will discover that it can also be described as diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma. When you hear this term it simply means that the cancer has left the peritoneal lining of the abdomen and has affected other organs nearby. Peritoneal mesothelioma is credited to be the cause of almost ten percent of all mesothelioma cases and, because of this, it ranks second as the most common form of asbestos related mesothelioma.
The most common form is called pleural mesothelioma. The greatest problem with any form of mesothelioma is that it is infamous for having a long incubation or latency. During this period it is in the body growing unbeknownst to the individual and not affecting health and functioning.
More often than not, peritoneal mesothelioma cells lie dormant for years before they become active and create obvious symptoms. When symptoms do appear it regrettably indicates that the disease has advanced to a late stage. In most cases the delay in the appearance of symptoms and subsequent diagnosis of the disease adversely affects the prospects for the individual.
One reason for the late diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma has been given to the fact that the first or earliest symptoms of the disease are so similar to other less traumatic diseases and ailments that an individual spends a great deal of time being treated for the wrong ailment. It is a general approach for all medical situations to rule out the less virulent causes of an illness before jumping to the conclusion that a more serious situation is present.
So a physician most likely will take the approach to rule out more common reasons for symptoms and only when these don't pan out will he begin considering more serious roots for the illness. When this stage of diagnosing is reached, a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma will be considered.
Mesothelioma is rare, even though it may not feel that way if you or a loved one has been stricken by it. It is exactly this rareness that makes it a diagnosis made by ruling our more common potential illnesses. If the physician takes a comprehensive medical history and discovers an individual has worked in an occupation where they have likely been around or exposed to asbestos or related products, he will know to investigate meosthelioma as a potential cause of the illness. If an individual is aware that they have worked around asbestos, it is a good idea to bring this information up with a physician as soon as there is an illness where the cause is not known.
It is well known that all cancers, as well as other illnesses, present with a variety of symptoms that may be peculiar to that disease and/or to many other diseases. Generally speaking, though someone suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma will complain of abdominal pain, they will become frail or weak, have a loss in weight, be nauseated and vomit, have a loss of appetite, exhibit swelling of the abdomen and may have an obstruction in the bowel.
Because peritoneal mesothelioma spreads to adjoining organs, symptoms other than abdominal may be exhibited such as difficulty breathing and extreme pain.Contact a mesothelioma attorney if you have mesothelioma.
About the AuthorNick Johnson is lead counsel with Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving Fen-Phen and PPH, Paxil, Mesothelioma and Nursing Home Abuse. Call Nick Johnson at 1-888-311-5522 or visit http://www.johnsonlawgroup.com
10/18/2007
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survival Rates
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a cancer of the abdomen lining caused due to prolonged exposure to asbestos. Thousands of lawsuits are handled every year dealing with the issue of peritoneal mesothelioma and its effects. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Fluid commonly accumulates in the abdominal cavity causing the swelling and pain. The symptoms can become quite serous over time, as the swelling will exert great force on surrounding organs and lead to great pain.
If diagnosed at an early stage, than there are chances of survival, depending upon on how advanced the cancer is at the time of the diagnosis. Treatment with radiation or chemotherapy and early diagnosis can be of great help. In fact, these treatments can help a patient to survive for a long time. It is often true that if the cancer is found early and treated aggressively, almost half of the patients whose cancer is found early reach the two-year mark and about 20% survive five years. For peritoneal mesothelioma, patients are often informed that they won�t be able to live for more than one year. But peritoneal mesothelioma specialists, working in leading cancer centers throughout the world, often report better statistics than this, based upon the clinical trials that they are carrying out.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma provides detailed information on peritoneal mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers, peritoneal mesothelioma survival rates and more. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is affliated with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com
Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer of the peritoneum, or tissue lining the abdomen and some of its organs. This lining tissue provides a small amount of lubricating fluid that allows organs in the gut to move and work properly. This cancer accounts for approximately ten percent of all malignant mesotheliomas and is therefore rarer than malignant pleural mesothelioma, which affects the tissue lining the chest and lungs. Irrespective of location, the majority of malignant mesotheliomas are associated with exposure to asbestos.
A person with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma may be diagnosed because of complaints such as an abdominal lump or swelling, unexplained weight loss, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, and constipation caused by bowel obstruction. There are many other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, and in the absence of an accurate history of asbestos exposure, a diagnosis of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma may be missed.
When malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is suspected, the patient's doctor orders a CT scan or an MRI to detect the presence of any abnormality in the abdomen. If features suggesting this cancer are present, a biopsy of the potentially cancerous tissue is taken to determine the types of cells in this tissue.
Once diagnosed, the exact treatment and the eventual outcome depend on the types of cells found in the cancer. People with epithelioid cell cancers typically have the best survival, followed by those with mixed cell cancers. Sarcomatoid cell cancers carry the worst prognosis. The average survival time is approximately one year, and five-year survival is lower than ten percent. Because of this poor prognosis, the cancer is treated as aggressively as the patient�s overall physical condition allows, with some combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Surgery helps remove the bulk of the cancer. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are then used to kill the remaining cancer cells.
Malignant Mesothelioma Lawyer provides detailed information on malignant mesothelioma, diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma, malignant mesothelioma diagnosis, malignant mesothelioma lawyer and more. Malignant Mesothelioma Lawyer is affiliated with Malignant Mesothelioma.
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com
A Guide To Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Approximately 10-20 percent of the cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesotheliomas). This type of mesothelioma does not respond well to treatment, but is less common than pleural mesothelioma, which affects the membrane covering the lungs.
Since it is difficult to treat, peritoneal mesothelioma often results in an early death. The disease attacks and destroys soft tissue and nearby nerves, causing intense pain to the patient.
The first symptom is abdominal pain. At the initial stage, pain can be eased with analgesics, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Treatment can include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, which are aimed at stopping the spread of the disease and at alleviating the pain.
Another reason why this form of mesothelioma is so hard to treat is that the symptoms are often dormant and surface only after 35-40 years of exposure to asbestos. Peritoneal mesothelioma, like all forms of mesothelioma, is mainly caused by exposure to asbestos over a period of time. Construction workers, their families, and people who live in asbestos-insulated buildings where the asbestos fibers are exposed, are most at risk of contacting mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms may include bowel obstruction; blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
Mesothelioma provides detailed information on malignant mesothelioma, asbestos and mesothelioma, mesothelioma, mesothelioma research and more. Mesothelioma is affliated with Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosis.
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. The cancer envelops many of the organs in the abdomen by a thin membrane of mesothelial cells, known as the peritoneum. Its only known cause in the U.S. is previous exposure to asbestos, and in most of the cases, the disease appears after many years of the exposure to the asbestos. Peritoneal mesotheliomas account for about one-fifth of all mesotheliomas. It affects the lining that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.
This type asbestos-related cancer is the second most common after Pleural Mesothelioma. Just like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma can be either benign or malignant. There are a number of symptoms for this disease. These symptoms typically include abdominal pains, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Depending on the location of the tumor, additional problems such as breathing problems and severe pains can be experienced. Fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space, a condition known as ascites. Over time the wasting symptoms can become more and more severe.
X-rays and CT scans are, typically, the first step towards detecting peritoneal mesothelioma. Though the actual diagnosis is achieved by obtaining a piece of tissue from the victim�s body. Presently, there are treatments, but no for sure known cure, for peritoneal mesothelioma. The prognosis depends on various factors, including the size and stage of the tumor, its extent, the cell type, and whether or not the tumor responds to treatment. However, the options for relief and treatment of people with peritoneal mesothelioma have opened up, especially for those whose cancer is diagnosed early and treated vigorously.
Specific types of treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma include:
1-Surgery
2-Radiation Therapy
3-Chemotherapy
Peritoneal Mesothelioma causes many deaths each year. Although it is not the most common form of this cancer, many new cases come to light each year. However, with continued research and clinical trials, it may be possible to one day make this a curable disease and save the life of people who have fallen victim to this dreadful disease.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment provides detailed information on peritoneal mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers, peritoneal mesothelioma survival rates and more. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment is affiliated with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com
A Guide To Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma is neoplasm arising from the serosal lining of the peritoneal and pericardial cavities. Primary tumors arising from the peritoneal mesothelioma are extremely rare. The accurate diagnosis of the diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma is important because it almost invariably has a fatal outcome. In many cases, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is not diagnosed until after surgery or autopsy. The distinction of the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma from tumors metastatic to the serosal membranes can often be made based on the results of histochemical studies.
The most common symptoms of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma are difficulty in breathing, chest pain, or both. Other symptoms include weight loss, fever, night sweats, cough, and a general feeling of not being well, although these symptoms are not as common.
The standard treatment for the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is not curative. Aggressive treatment will enable some patients to experience long-term survival, but it is still unclear whether overall survival rates would be significantly changed by different treatments or combinations of treatments. There are different treatments available for the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, depending upon the state of its diagnosis. For stage one, that is localized malignant peritoneal Mesothelioma, standard treatments are malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, intracavitary mesothelioma, intracavitary chemotherapy following resection.
For stages 2 to 4, that is advanced malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, treatments available are symptomatic treatment to include drainage of effusions, chest tube pleurodesis, or thoracoscopic pleurodesis, palliative surgical resection in selected patients, palliative radiation therapy, single-agent chemotherapy, and multimodality clinical trials.
To date, there are no treatment approaches that have been shown to improve survival or control symptoms for a prolonged period of time. But with the advancement in the field of technology and medicine, there is hope that some day, doctors will be able to defeat the tumor and come out with some life-saving treatment against this dreadful tumor.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment provides detailed information on peritoneal mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers, peritoneal mesothelioma survival rates and more. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment is affiliated with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment Costs
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen, enveloping many of the organs in the abdomen by a thin membrane of mesothelial cells, known as the peritoneum. It is caused due to exposure to asbestos. This tumor as a long lactation period and is often diagnosed 30-50 years after the exposure. Though currently no treatment is available for curing this disease, a timely diagnosis (depending upon the size of the tumor), may in improve the patients� quality of life. In some cases of early diagnosis, the treatments can result in extending the life of victim up to five years, in comparison to the normal lifespan of one year for a peritoneal mesothelioma patient. While the current survival rate for peritoneal mesothelioma patients is low, new peritoneal mesothelioma treatments are in development, and some show great promise. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery are the most common options available today for the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma.
The cost incurred in overall treatment of this tumor is almost the same as the cost involved in the treatment of other tumors. It is difficult to determine exact figures as there is variability in treatment plans, but cancer treatments can cost many thousands of dollars per month. Overall, cancer treatment, including peritoneal mesothelioma treatment, costs over $40 billion in the US each year. For a typical individual, who already has been victimized by this dreadful disease, the treatment costs can prove to very expensive and unaffordable. If you have been diagnosed and are suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma, it is advisable to consult a peritoneal mesothelioma lawyer, who can guide you as to your legal rights and how you can recover compensation from the party responsible for your exposure to asbestos. An expert lawyer can help you recover compensation for bills, lost wages, and punitive damages, which can go up to millions of dollars.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma provides detailed information on peritoneal mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers, peritoneal mesothelioma survival rates and more. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is affliated with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a dreadful and life-threatening cancer, caused by continuous and long exposure to asbestos. It is a tumor that affects the lining of the abdomen that protects the contents of the abdomen and provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.
Presently there are few treatments, but no specific known cure, for peritoneal mesothelioma. However, the options for relief and treatment of people with peritoneal mesothelioma have improved tremendously with ongoing research, especially if the cancer is diagnosed early and treated vigorously. Specific types of treatment include traditional chemotherapy: This traditional approach uses special anti-cancer (cytotoxic) medicines and chemicals to try to kill the malignant cells. Often, it is offered as an additional therapy alongside radical surgery or in combination with radiation therapy or immunotherapy, particularly when the cancer has spread beyond an operable area. The chemotherapeutic agents can be administered by mouth in tablet form or intravenously via needle into a vein or a muscle.
Another treatment option is surgery. Surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma entails cutting out part of the affected lining and tissue from the abdomen in order to remove the tumor. Whether or not surgery is performed and how much tissue is removed depends on how far the cancer has spread and how big the tumor is. Sometimes it becomes necessary to remove a lung or part of the diaphragm in order for surgery to succeed in removal of the tumor.
Yet another option is radiation therapy. In radiation therapy, high energy x-rays are used to shrink tumors and kill off cancerous cells in the affected area. There are two ways to administer radiation therapy, either externally where a machine is placed outside the body and emits radiation through the body, or through plastic tubes that enable radiation to be placed directly to the affected area.
There are also clinical trials and various experimental treatments, like gene therapy and immunotherapy, and antiangiogenesis drugs for the treatment of this life-threatening cancer. Research is being done vigorously, and doctors are continuously striving to achieve success in curing this disease so as to ensure that no one else falls prey to this dangerous cancer.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma provides detailed information on peritoneal mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers, peritoneal mesothelioma survival rates and more. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is affliated with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com
10/17/2007
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Litigation
Peritoneal mesothelioma litigation allows a victim of this dreadful disease to seek compensation from their employer (if they were exposed to asbestos on the job) or from the manufacturer of asbestos-containing products. Through peritoneal mesothelioma litigation, a peritoneal mesothelioma victim may be able to recover damages associated with medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
If you have been exposed to asbestos in the work place in the last 50 years, you may be at risk for developing mesothelioma. Medical professionals are able to measure the amount of asbestos fibers that are present in your body. If you have developed peritoneal mesothelioma as a result of this exposure, you may wish to contact a qualified attorney about peritoneal mesothelioma litigation. Peritoneal mesothelioma litigation attorneys can help maximize and protect your interests in a case. An experienced peritoneal mesothelioma lawyer can help you seek millions as compensation from your employer or from the asbestos manufacturing companies, who even being aware of the fact that asbestos exposure was hazardous, suppressed that medical knowledge and made billions of dollars in profits from the sale of asbestos-containing products.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment provides detailed information on peritoneal mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers, peritoneal mesothelioma survival rates and more. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment is affiliated with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a family member is unfortunate enough to suffer from peritoneal mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you are advised to contact a peritoneal mesothelioma lawyer. The suffering and loss inherent in this type of cancer can be extensive and a lawyer who specializes in litigating this type of case will be aggressive and will help you to seek compensation for the damages you are entitled to. Most reputable lawyers will be able to provide you with information on previous cases including how many mesothelioma lawsuits they've handled, how quickly the cases were resolved, and how much compensation was obtained.
Peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers specialize in fighting the case for peritoneal mesothelioma victims. An expert and reputable mesothelioma lawyer will be able to guide you if a strong case exists and obtain compensation for you from the responsible company. A knowledgeable and understanding mesothelioma lawyer will help you fight for justice and the financial compensation to offset those spiraling medical expenses and to provide financial security for your family's future. If the case is presented through the right lawyer, he can get thousands of dollars to millions of dollars as compensation.
Most mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency basis, that is, for a percentage of the amount of the compensation claimed; therefore you won't have to pay legal fees unless you win compensation. Although there is no guarantee that your claim will be successful, if you are awarded damages you may be able to secure your family's financial future if your claim is successful.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment provides detailed information on peritoneal mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma treatment, peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers, peritoneal mesothelioma survival rates and more. Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment is affiliated with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.
To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com
The Facts about Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Currently, only one cause of peritoneal mesothelioma is known and this is exposure to asbestos dust and fibres. Only a couple of months of exposure to asbestos without sufficient protection can lead to peritoneal mesothelioma thirty to fifty years later. Those suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma are mostly elderly men who worked amongst asbestos decades ago when workers were not protected from asbestos dust. Many of these men are currently lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the companies who exposed them to asbestos. Asbestos fibres can get into the peritoneum in two different ways. The most common way they reach the peritoneum is by them getting trapped in the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (inside the lungs) by mucus and end up being swallowed. From here they can pass through the intestine wall into the peritoneum. The second way in which asbestos fibres can reach the peritoneum is by them lodging inside the lungs. They then move into the lymphatic system and get transported to the peritoneum. Constant exposure to asbestos leads to a great number of fibres being built up in the peritoneum.
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are generally only felt when the cancer has developed greatly. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, weight loss, abdominal pains and loss of appetite. As the cancer matures, the symptoms will become more pronounced and severe. To learn more about the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma go to http://www.1-mesothelioma.co.uk/
There are several treatments for peritoneal mesothelioma although all of them have a poor success rate. The likelihood of a patient surviving depends on how early and aggressively the cancer is treated. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery are the most commonly used methods of treatment. Research into the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma is being conducted in research stations in the United States and by many pharmaceutical companies.
About the Author
All the detailed information you need on the symptoms, treatment, risks, science and more about mesothelioma can be found at: http://www.1-mesothelioma.co.uk/
What is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
What is Peritoneal Mesothelioma? by Michael Kralj
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a tumor of the membrane Peritoneum. The peritoneum is a thin membrane in the organs in the abdomen consisting of mesothelial cells.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is associated to coming about from having previous exposure to asbestos, and in many cases is found through routine abdominal xrays and CT scans showing something different than normal.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can stay dormant in your body for many years, before it will be seen, and for this reason many people years after they have been exposed to asbestos will be diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma. About 20% of all mesotheliomas are Peritoneal Mesothelioma, and they can be of two types: malignant and benign.
What are the Symptons of Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
- abdominal pains - weakness - weight loss - loss of appetite - nausea - abdominal swelling
The symptoms become more severe over time and should be checked out by a doctor. If they do not, they will cause increasing pressure on your abdomen organs, causing much discomfort, and will lead to bowel obstruction and distention.
How is peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosed?
A peritoneoscopy is performed, and if there is a reason to be concerned, a biopsy is performed. A biopsy is the process of taking a piece of tissue to be given to a pathologist for analysis. The pathologist uses a microscope to analyse the tissue and make the actual diagnosis.
Currently, it is still unknown why Asbestos causes the mesothelial cells to be cancerous, and it is unsure how many fibers are needed for the tumor to occur. Many treatments exist for peritoneal mesothelioma, however a cure has yet to be found.
What are some of the treatments available for Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
- chemotherapy - radiation therapy - surgery.
If you are feeling any of the symptoms noted above, ensure you have it checked out early. The earlier the diagnosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma, the better chance the treatments will be effective.
About the Author
Michael Kralj is author of the Blog Mesothelioma Info and Updates found at http://mesotheliomainfoupdates.blogspot.com/. Learn more about Peritoneal Mesothelioma and its treatments.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma - The cancer of abdominal lining
Major symptoms
Though Mesothelioma is neither age nor sex specific, peritoneal Mesothelioma is mostly seen in men who are in the age group of 50-70 years. There are a number of symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma most of which start appearing after 20, 30 or 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. These symptoms may include weight loss (however, waist line may increase), pain or swelling in the abdomen, weakness, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, anemia, nausea and fever. Also, fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space leading to a condition called Ascites.
Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma
The initial step towards detection of peritoneal mesothelioma includes X-rays and CT scans. For confirmed diagnosis, however the doctor needs to do biopsy whereby a piece of tissue is cut from the affected part of the victim's body and is placed under microscope for examination. If the disease is detected at an early stage it stands better chance of getting cured than the state of diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, where the cancer has already spread to various parts.
The cure
It's true that peritoneal mesothelioma is fatal and leads to several deaths every year. However, with continued researches, several modes of treatments have been embarked upon and in the future there is a fair chance of the disease becoming absolutely curable. The types of treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
In surgery a part of the abdominal tissue is cut out to remove the tumor. At times the doctor may also need to remove a lung or a portion of the diaphragm as per the requirement of the surgery. Radiation therapy, the second method, requires the application of high energy X-rays to shrink the tumor and kill the malignant cells. The rays may be applied from an external machine or by placing the radiation source directly to the affected part of the body, by means of plastic tubes. Last treatment type is the chemotherapy whereby a combination of drugs is applied to kill the cancer cells. The drugs may be administered by mouth in the capsule form or may be applied intravenously via needle.
However, it is essential to mention that cost of treating any form of cancer is extravagant and you may consult a mesothelioma lawyer to earn you a handsome compensation from the authority who was responsible for your prior exposure to asbestos.
So learn more about peritoneal mesothelioma so that you can initiate the treatment at the very early stage and get cured.
About the Author
Fred Lindell is a successful writer and publisher of health related issues, for more informative articles go to http://www.mesotheliomaplaza.com/
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Information by christian louis
But before seeing more about peritoneal mesothelioma, let us first take a look at the classifications and functions of the peritoneum membrane.
Peritoneum is classified into visceral and parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum envelops the abdominal organs and forms the periphery of the intestinal tract. On the other hand, parietal peritoneum covers the abdominal cavity. The purpose of these layers is to protect the internal organs and to secrete a lubricating fluid that eases the movement of internal organs in the abdominal cavity.
Causes of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Even though not a definitive explanation, it is widely considered that asbestos is the main cause for peritoneal mesothelioma. According to medical experts, in two ways asbestos dust could reach the intestine lining one through involuntary ingestion during working long hours and days amid asbestos, and secondly, through the lungs while breathing and hence along the lymph nodes to the peritoneal cavity. Either way, it is injurious to the human body, and may invariably lead to this cancerous condition if exposed to for a longer period of time.
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma, like the other forms of mesothelioma, shows a very long latency period and it wont be until 20-30 years since the asbestos-exposure days before any typical symptoms becomes apparent. But by then it will be too late to check the disease or provide any constructive medication or treatment. Further, a delay in diagnosing the disease can happen due to the fact that most of the symptoms of mesothelioma is not-specific and may resemble that of some other common and less serious diseases. For example, the common mesothelioma symptoms include anemia, fever, weight loss, abdominal pain, and bowel obstruction, and it is highly likely that the doctor initially may consider other options than contemplating cancer. Therefore, the patient telling the doctor about any previous asbestos exposure in the first one-to-one interaction itself is very crucial, and that helps the doctor to think of a possible mesothelioma threat even before considering other possibilities.
Treatments
Once the disease has been diagnosed, the doctor recommends the treatments based on several factors such as the extent of the damage, age and medical history of the person and overall health. The traditional treatments for mesothelioma include surgery if the tumor has spread out and is beyond radiation-curable radiation therapy, external and internal radiation, and chemotherapy, which includes using a pill or needle to insert anti-carcinogen drugs into the body.
With the advancement in science and technology, newer treatment techniques have been introduced, and some of it is looking promising as well.
Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is one such newer method that uses special drugs and light to destroy cancer cells. This method is used to study the earlier phases of mesothelioma in the chest.
Further, Immunotherapy is a way of boosting the immunity of ones own body against the spread of cancer. Also, recently, researches have found that Gene Therapy is effective in correcting the faulty genes causing mesothelioma. But these two methods are still in the clinical trials and are yet to be implemented in hospitals.
Even though a wide range of treatments are available for mesothelioma, clinical experiences reveals that none of this alone is capable of checking the disease effectively. Therefore, it is a selected combination of some of these treatments called the "multimodality approach" that is commonly followed and the different modes of treatments to be used are decided by the doctor based on the given medical condition of the patient and his/her age.
Tail Piece Passive exposure to asbestos can also lead to mesothelioma. This happens when asbestos fibers reach the domestic setup through clothes dirties with asbestos dust. Therefore it is advisable that those handling asbestos may change their clothes before returning home or going to any public place.
About the Author
Christian Louis. Webmaster of several sites around the internet. Copy and paste the below link into your browser to learn more about mesothelioma http://www.online-mesothelioma-information.com/
A Brief Overview On Peritoneal Mesothelioma
We are mainly aware of three types of Mesothelioma - pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. Among them the majority of the Mesothelioma patients suffers from Pleural Mesothelioma. Followed by the Pleural Mesothelioma is the numbers of the Peritoneal Mesothelioma and then the rare type Pericardial Mesothelioma comes into the picture.
In this article let's concentrate more on the Peritoneal Mesothelioma and how does a person get infected by this disease.
The spread out
Like all other types of Mesothelioma, the Peritoneal Mesothelioma is also caused due to the inhalation of asbestos dust. In other words it is always stated that over exposure of the human body in an environment filled with asbestos fibers can become risky for life because the entry of the asbestos fibers in the body reacts with the Mesothelium cells and takes the cancerous shape.
The diagnosis
You will begin to face the problem with some abdominal pain. The peritoneal Mesothelioma is actually the cancerous attack on the abdominal cavity. Swelling of the region around the abdomen with gastric disorders and weight loss are the common symptoms. In many cases the loss of appetite has been found to be very dominating. But when all these start making troubles in your body there is a common tendency to put them off with general gastric and stomach disorders medicines.
The biggest problem with Peritoneal Mesothelioma is that the accurate diagnosis cannot be done at an early stage. Ultimately when the doctor is able to make it out that you are a victim of a lethal disease, all hopes of your survival have already come to an end.
The treatment
The final stage treatment cannot cure you but help you to reduce the pains and pangs in your body and resist any further damage. The doctors often prescribe chemotherapy. Surgical treatment is another common way to remove the tumors that grow around the abdominal cavity by damaging the Mesothelium layer. But this treatment is suggested by checking the patient's condition whether he/she will be able to resist the surgical pains. Yet no complete treatment for total cure is possible.
About the Author
Find more Mesothelioma and asbestos info online. For Credit repair related articles: http://www.credit-repair-fyi.info/
Asbestos, Abdominal Mesothelioma and What are Your legal Options
The peritoneum is the specific mesothelioma of the abdomen. It has two types known as parietal and visceral peritoneum. The latter covers the abdominal cavity while the former is found in the intestinal tract's outer layer and covers the internal organs.
The cells of peritoneum secrete a certain fluid which permits the movement of the organs against one another, often touching the surface of the other tissues. These cells are designed to create the fluid but an abnormal reaction by the uncontrollable cell division of malignant cells builds up unnecessary fluids in the abdominal cavity.
Like other types of mesothelioma cancer, abdominal mesothelioma normally occurs among people aged 50 to 70 years old. Maybe because the latency period of the disease needs some decades from the onset of the disease towards its maturation. Which means that the person having the disease possibly does not know that he is becoming ill already.
Common symptoms of abdominal mesothelioma are the following:
- Loss of appetite and consequent weight loss - Swelling of the abdomen - Abdominal weakness - Abdominal and chest pains, - Shortness of breath and - Nausea
While there may not be sufficient information as to why asbestos causes abdominal mesothelioma, there are still some explanations to make things a bit clearer. It is widely known that peritoneal mesothelium is caused by asbestos by two main reasons. First, asbestos fiber could either be inhaled or ingested. When it is ingested, the fiber will obviously go down to the peritoneal and will remain there until the body dies. Second, it could be inhaled and pass down to the lymph node towards the abdomen.
Peritoneal mesothelioma therefore is caused by asbestos fiber that drifts in the air. This could be gathered in workplaces, industrial sites and even homes. Before it begins destroying your body, there are certain degrees of exposure that must be met. Asbestos diseases such as that of abdominal mesothelioma is dose-responsive, meaning with large doses come greater risk of contracting a disease.
Peritoneal mesothelioma and asbestos patients are not only entitled to medical attention, legal help are also available. Because these are considered as occupational diseases, companies are often liable for the diseases of their workmen. In this case, the victim is entitled to some compensation.
Normally, people who were exposed to asbestos due to work file their lawsuits. While many o not reach full trial, still plenty of mesothelioma cases are fairly compensated through settlement.
All victims of asbestos exposure due to the negligence of the company they have worked for often have good chances of establishing a strong case. However, there are a few things that must be observed.
For example, certain courts protect certain company from individual lawsuits. In this case, the best thing one can do is to file a case as a class where many complainants are involved. This will establish the case so strongly and would normally yield better compensation.
Also, each state has its own regulations when filing and handling claims involving asbestos. There are time limits and this varies depending on the law being observed in a certain state. Meaning, the best course of action after the diagnosis of the disease, more specifically peritoneal mesothelium, is to seek legal advice right ahead and file the case according to the victim's personal interests and the advices of the attorney or law firm. As we have said partially a while back, some asbestos lawsuits do not reach trail, most of them end up on settlement.
So even if you want to extend your case for a full trial, there could be some variations along the way. For one, settlement could give a fair compensation but of course not as high as with a full trial, which of course is not always guaranteed. Second, settlement is very convenient for both parties since full trial is a very long process and could be very exhausting. If the trial is cut short, both parties do not have to waste time going mulling over the taxing details of a full trial. But the great disadvantage with settlement is that some people feel that the justice wasn't met for the victim. Well, this view will largely depend on the parties involved. It is best to discuss this issue with your asbestos attorney.
If you think you got your disease from working for a company which made use of asbestos materials without practicing protective measures, it is wise that you seek legal counsel and do the best things you can do.
About the Author
For more information on ADD and ADDHD please go to: http://mymesotheliomacancer.com/?page_id=627 http://mymesotheliomacancer.com/ http://www.drnathaliefiset.com/
9/30/2007
Treatment Options for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is directly linked to asbestos exposure. By the time this cancer is diagnosed the disease is usually well advanced. Signs and symptoms may not appear until 20 to 60 years after being exposed to asbestos. If diagnosed with Mesothelioma, it is imperative to become informed about the different forms of Mesothelioma treatment due to the aggressive form of this disease.
Mesothelioma attacks the mesothelium or the protective lining that covers and protects many of the body's internal organs. One form of this deadly cancer is Peritoneal Mesothelioma. It invades the peritoneum or the membranous lining that houses the stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas and intestines.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma accounts for less than a quarter of all Mesothelioma cases. It is the second most common form of Mesothelioma after Pleural Mesothelioma. Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma include, but are not limited to, abdominal pain, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal swelling and bowel obstruction.
In order for proper Mesothelioma treatment to begin, several factors must first be taken into consideration. Details such as the extent of the cancer, the patient's overall health, past medical history and age, should be evaluated. These details need to be taken into account to determine the best Mesothelioma treatment for an individual diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
The most common forms of treatment for an individual diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and palliative therapies. Surgery may be performed to remove part of the lining and tissue from the abdomen, depending on the advancement of the cancer and the size and location of the tumor(s).
Another form of Mesothelioma treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma is radiation therapy. Immense energy x-rays are used for the purpose of shrinking tumors. Radiation can be administered either externally or internally. Externally, a machine is placed outside the body to emit radiation to the source of the cancer. A source of radiation can also be internally placed on the affected area in the hope of destroying cancerous tissue.
Chemotherapy is another type of Mesothelioma treatment used to combat Peritoneal Mesothelioma. This type of treatment uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. These can be given either in tablet form or intravenously. The chemotherapy drugs enter the blood stream and kill off cancerous cells as it makes its way through the body.
Palliative therapy is also used as a form of Mesothelioma treatment. Ascites, or fluid accumulation, often takes place in the abdomen when an individual suffers from Peritoneal Mesothelioma. To relieve pressure and to make the patient more comfortable fluid is extracted by use of needles and suction.
Once your diagnosis is confirmed and you have begun treatment, it is imperative that you seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in asbestos-related illness. If a past employer negligently exposed you to asbestos, you are most likely to be entitled to a monetary award to cover your medical bills, your pain and suffering, and even punitive damages against a negligent employer. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a very difficult cancer to treat; you can rely on your attorney to act in your best interests.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is attributed to asbestos exposure. If diagnosed, it is imperative to be informed of all treatment options. As more research is performed in the area of Mesothelioma treatment, other ways to combat this deadly disease will become available.
About the Author
Nick Johnson serves as lead counsel with Johnson Law Group, a prominent personal injury law firm with principal offices located in Houston, Texas. Johnson represents plaintiffs with injury cases involving Mesothelioma, Nursing Home Abuse, Defective Drugs, and Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH). Contact Nick Johnson at 1-888-311-5522 or visit http://www.johnsonlawgroup.com/ for a free case evaluation.
9/27/2007
A Closer Look at Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer
A Closer Look at Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer by Nathalie Fiset
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that commonly occurs due to increased exposure to asbestos for a long period of time. There are findings that this cancer develops even without asbestos exposure. This type of cancer affects the peritoneum, which is the lining that protects the internal organs of the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum is made up of mesothilial cells which are the cells affected by cancer. It is a rare form of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the cancer of the mesothelial cells of the covering of the lungs, is the more common form than the peritoneal mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a material used for insulation, which is resistant to heat and fire. It is used in the construction or engineering of buildings, ships, household appliances and motors. It has been reported that there is a higher incidence of mesothelioma in males because this type of caner is work related. Males are commonly hired for the construction or engineering of buildings, ships, motors and household appliances which causes the increased incidence of mesothelioma in males.
THE CULPRITS
There are three types of asbestos namely the blue, white and brown. These are all linked to cancer which caused asbestos to be banned in many countries such as the UK. Asbestos is made up of tiny fibers that can be breathed into the lung. It then works its way to the pleura irritating and damaging the mesothilial cell. Some asbestos might be coughed up as a defense of the body to get rid of the irritating foreign body that has entered the lung. When this happens the asbestos goes to the mouth and is then swallowed. It then works its way to the internal organs of the abdominal cavity irritating and damaging the peritoneum or the mesothilium, which the tissue made up of mesothelial cells that covers the internal organs. Upon exposure to asbestos, the fibers are deposited in the clothing of the worker. The worker exposed to asbestos spreads it to his family when he gets home through his clothing. This puts the family at high risk to developing mesothelioma since they are also exposed through asbestos.
There are also less common causes of mesothelioma. It has been found out that exposure to radiation can also cause pleural and peritonieal mesothelioma. Thoratast or thorioum dioxide was used in x-ray tests in the 1950s. Exposure to a mineral in turkey, which is called the Zeolite can also cause the cancer mesothelioma. The virus SV40 also known as the simian virus increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. It acts as a co-factor when the person is exposed to another risk factor, amplifying the possibility of developing mesothelioma.
GETTING CHECKED It is not easy to diagnose mesothelioma. There is no specific screening for mesothelioma. People who are high risk to develop mesothelioma should be checked periodically in order to spot mesothelioma at the earliest stage possible so prompt treatment may be done. There are some signs and symptoms the doctors watch out to get further tests to confirm mesothelioma. Pain, swelling tenderness to any area and a possible lump are the common complaints that are considered.
Blood test is then done to evaluate the person's general health. If doctor suspects that the person may have peritoneal mesothelioma, the person may have abdominal x-ray, abdominal CT scan or abdominal MRI scan to check and confirm for swelling and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Abdoparacentsis or fluid drainage from the abdomen may be done to relieve the swelling and pain around the abdomen and to see if there are malignant or cancerous cells in the fluid. Laparoscopy or biopsy of the abdominal lining or peritoneum may be done, wherein they get a tissue sample of the abdominal lining and check if the mesothelial cells are damaged by cancer.
If these tests confirm that one has peritoneal mesothelioma, it is then evaluated if it has spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging or determining the gravity of the cancer itself. This process is very important to determine what action or treatment will be done. A PET scan may be done to see how the cells are working. PET stands for positron emission tomography. This is done if the peritoneal mesothelioma cancer is treatable through surgery. This shows the extent of spread of the cancer cells to the other parts of the body like the lymph nodes and other organs.
For more information on mesothelioma and lung cancer, please go to: http://mymesotheliomacancer.com/?page_id=620 http://mymesotheliomacancer.com/ http://www.drnathaliefiset.com/