Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer affects the
peritoneum.
The
peritoneum is also known as the lining of the abdomen.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second
most common form of all the mesothelioma cancers, accounting
for only 10% - 20% of all cases. It is also the most painful
form of all three. Other parts that get affected are the
pleura and the pericardium. Peritoneal
mesothelioma can also spread to the lungs. When this happens is
is also known as secondary lung cancer (but
technically, it isn't lung cancer). Some people think
mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer, and this is incorrect.
The cancer doesn't originate in the lungs.
Doctors sometimes call it 'mesothelioma of the
peritoneum'.
How peritoneal
mesothelioma comes about is not clearly understood but
it is widely believed that the asbestos fibres lodge themselves
in the peritoneum. (The way pleural mesothelioma occurs is
better understood and that is further explained in the
pleural mesothelioma page). Another belief is
that the fibres entered the body via the oral route. Most
workplaces (asbestos mines & processing facilities) had
'clouds' of asbestos fibres which could have settled onto
the workers' food and clothing. The fibres that lodged
themselves onto the clothing could've ended up being inhaled
by whoever did the laundry or the cooking (most likely the
wife). These asbestos fibres lead to chronic inflammation
and cancerous tumors begin to grow. In some cases this leads
to a condition we call asbestosis. This is a type
of lung disease which originates in the lungs. It is
often confused with mesothelioma. This is probably the
manner in which family members could also get mesothelioma.
Men
should definately read this ! Most people
are unaware of this but peritoneal mesothelioma can also
affect a man's testicles. However, this is an extremely rare
form of the disease. Surgery is also performed just as with
other organs that are located within the abdomen. The section
of the mesothelium is removed, and sometimes the organ (in this
case, the testicles) that is infected. The latter procedure is
known as an orchidectomy or orchiectomy (the surgical
removal of the testes). The layer that covers the scrotum is
actually an outpouching of the peritoneum. The asbestos fibres
may well move form the abdomen onto the peritoneum that
surrounds the scrotum.
A person exhibiting
the first signs of mesothelioma will normally experience
upper abdominal pain. This is caused by the accumulation of
fluid which causes swelling and discomfort. As with the
majority of mesothelioma patients, all three kinds of cancer
(mesothelioma) cells are exhibited; epitheloid, sarcomatoid,
and biphasic. Those with the biphasic type usually have the
shortest life expectancy.
|