Skip to main content

Abdominal Asbestos Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, that thin layer of membrane that protects most of our body's internal organs. Since its first appearance, mesothelioma has been associated with exposure to the fibrous mineral used in construction, called asbestos. As a matter of fact, most cases of mesothelomia are almost always connected with previous exposure to the mineral.

In asbestos mesothelioma, the cancerous cells mostly affect the mesothelial layer of the lungs and chest cavity (called pleura). However, there are certain cases where the cancer could also occur in the peritoneum, or the lining of the abdominal cavity, as well as the pericardium, the membranous sac that surrounds the heart.

Abdominal asbestos mesothelioma is mesothelioma of the peritoneum. People who develop abdominal asbestos mesothelioma may have worked in an area where asbestos is present. Exposure to asbestos could come in many forms. A worker may inhale asbestos fibers during the course of regular duties. A person who is not a worker may be exposed to the mineral by other means, such as washing the clothes of an asbestos worker.

According to one survey, one out of seven people who came into contact with asbestos may develop any of the different types of asbestos-related cancer, including abdominal asbestos mesothelioma.

Signs and Symptoms

One of the main problems that doctors are having with abdominal asbestos mesothelioma is the fact that its symptoms are hard to identify. In fact, the first signs of abdominal asbestos mesothelioma may not be noticeable until 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Moreover, the symptoms can vary, depending on several factors, such as the specific type of mesothelioma a patient has and his length of exposure to asbestos.

For abdominal asbestos mesothelioma, the symptoms include cachexia, a condition characterized by drastic loss of weight, fatigue, muscle atrophy and anorexia (loss of appetite, as opposed to anorexia nervosa). There may also be abdominal swelling as a result of the buildup of fluids in the abdominal cavity. If the abdominal asbestos mesothelioma is in its advanced stages, pain due to the buildup may also occur.

Other symptoms of abdominal asbestos mesothelioma are anemia, fever, blood clotting abnormalities, and bowel obstruction. Additionally, if the cancer has spread to other organs, the person may suffer swelling of the neck or face or have trouble swallowing.

Treatment

Abdominal asbestos mesothelioma is not incurable. However, most of the treatment methods available at present have only been moderately successful. Doctors often use a combination of radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy in order to achieve the best results. Other types of treatment for abdominal asbestos mesothelioma are more for symptom relief than for an actual cure. A procedure known as heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy is said to help prevent the development of the cancer by removing as much of the tumor from the patient.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

An Insight Into Mesothelioma Cure

Image: mesothelioma-adviser.com The doctors and researchers are looking for answers related to Mesothelioma cure but have not found any. Before we discuss mesothelioma cure, it is necessary to know about what is mesothelioma and what are its possible causes. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen. High Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma cancers. Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral that was widely used in the construction process, building material and many manufacturing units. Asbestos breaks into minute particles that float into the air, can be easily inhaled and settle on the clothes of workmen, leaving them and their family members prone to many health hazards. Understanding Its Symptoms A Step towards Mesothelioma Cure: An understanding of mesothelioma symptoms can help in the process of mesothelioma cure. Some common symptoms of mesothelioma are difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and chronic cough. However, many tim...
1 comment
Read more

Mesothelioma Variants

Mesothelioma is a rare yet deadly cancer that almost always surfaces in a malignant form and results in tumors on significant organs of the body. Most people believe mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. So what exactly is the mesothelium? The mesothelium is a film or sac that surrounds vital organs in an attempt to protect them (such organs can include the lungs and heart). Mesothelioma can almost always be attributed to asbestos. While we might think there exists only one form of mesothelioma, there actually several. We will be talking about pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma. As unfortunate as it may be, mesothelioma's symptoms don't surface until the disease has progressed, which at times can be several years following exposure to asbestos. As one might guess, this can make diagnosis a pain and treatment a near impracticality. Pleural mesothelioma is the widely known variant of mesothelioma. In this form of mesothelioma, tumo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs in thin membranes (called the mesothelium) lining the chest, lungs, abdomen and sometimes the heart. Although quite rare, mesothelioma symptoms strike more than 200 people each year in the United States. The majority of mesothelioma cases are directly linked to asbestos exposure. Because of the long latency period of mesothelioma, the average age of patients is between 50 and 70 years. Mesothelioma affects men most due to the high exposure of asbestos in industrial typed jobs. Mesothelioma symptoms include respiratory problems, shortness of breath, continual cough and pneumonia. Other mesothelioma symptoms include weight loss, abdominal problems and swelling. In some mesothelioma patients, the mesothelioma symptoms are quite muted, making it hard for mesothelioma doctors to diagnose. Mesothelioma doctors specialize in the study, research, and treatments of Mesothelioma cancers. Mesothelioma (or the cancer of the mesothelium) is...
Post a Comment
Read more