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Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is classified as a carcinogen and any amount of asbestos that is inhaled into the body is dangerous. There are four types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma originates in the lining of the lungs and is by far the most common type. It affects approximately 60% to 70% of all mesothelioma victims. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of mesothelioma, affecting about 20% to 30% of all mesothelioma victims. Peritoneal mesothelioma begins in the abdominal cavity. The other two forms of mesothelioma are exceedingly rare. Pericardial mesothelioma begins in the lining of the heart and testicular mesothelioma begins in the cell layer covering the testicles.
When it comes to pathogenesis, treatment, and overall understanding of mesothelioma, the most is known about pleural mesothelioma, since it is by far the most common type. It is important that we learn more about peritoneal mesothelioma to ensure that the best possible treatment is available. The earlier the cancer is detected, the better treatment options there are, and in turn, this usually leads to a better quality of life.
Over the past couple of decades, more has been understood about peritoneal mesothelioma, leading to better prognosis.
Based on data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database, there were about 2,000 cases of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma from 1975 to 2016. Although this highlights the rarity of the disease, it is evident that people are still being diagnosed with this cancer. Also, this data conflicts with other numbers that support even more cases than this. In the United States, 200 to 400 new cases per year were reported in 2007. That number rose to 800 new cases per year in 2018. This rise in cases is most likely due to what is known as the latency period. If someone is exposed to asbestos, they do not usually recognize any symptoms until 10 to up to 70 years later. That is why we are seeing cases today, although a lot of asbestos use fizzled out in the 1980s. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma to detect it early. Some common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are:
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma usually occurs in people who are over 50 years old. It is noteworthy, however, that it usually occurs at a younger age than that of pleural mesothelioma. Also, the latency period for developing this type of mesothelioma is typically shorter than that of the latency period for developing pleural mesothelioma.
The peritoneum is defined as a thin, smooth tissue membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity that surrounds the organs of the abdomen. It functions as a form of insulation, structure, lubrication, immunity, and nerve supply. It is the largest serous membrane in the human body. It is believed that exposure to asbestos causes small fiber particles to depose, which damages the DNA and releases oxygen free radicals, causing genomic instability. As time passes, chronic inflammation begins, causing carcinogenesis of mesothelial cells. Carcinogenesis can be defined as the initiation of cancer formation.
The ultimate diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is made through multiple core biopsies. Usually, imaging takes place prior to a biopsy being taken. Things that a doctor would look for on these imaging tests would be a solid, soft tissue mass, parietal and peritoneal thickening, and thickening of the omentum. The omentum is a fold of the peritoneum that surrounds the stomach.
There are multiple treatment options for this type of mesothelioma, depending on when it is initially detected. In the past, peritoneal mesothelioma was thought to be untreatable, and management of the disease was used as a treatment option. This would come in the form of palliative systemic chemotherapy. However, in the 1990s, cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy became a regularly used form of treatment and ended up becoming the standard of care for those who were eligible. The decision to use this type of treatment is based on a variety of factors, such as the patient’s age, the subtype of mesothelioma they are experiencing, and the projected success of the surgery. There are also different types of treatment that can be utilized, such as immunotherapy.
Overall, it is vital to know the signs and symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma to get the best possible treatment and to have the best possible quality of life. No matter what form or forms of treatment are used, the importance of support from loved ones cannot go understated. It is understandably difficult to receive a cancer diagnosis that you developed through no fault of your own and it can be truly devastating. Getting support from family and friends as well as the surrounding community can make dealing with a diagnosis a little easier and it can feel good to know people care.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, please call us at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our simple contact form. Our website is filled with information on mesothelioma, and we would like to help you navigate the intricacies of the disease as well as help with the legal process of pursuing a mesothelioma case. We help mesothelioma victims in the state of Pennsylvania.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22894-peritoneum
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/19/4704
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/omentum