Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Peritoneal mesothelioma, the most common form beside pleural mesothelioma, originates in the abdomen and is difficult to diagnose due to a lack of distinct symptoms. Similar to the role asbestos plays in the development of pleural mesothelioma when inhaled, asbestos fibers can also be coughed up, swallowed, and settle in the stomach, leading to peritoneal mesothelioma and the symptoms specific to the abdominal area. Reported symptoms include localized abdominal pain related to a tumor, abdominal distension without pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. Fluid buildup in the abdomen, or peritoneal effusion, may also occur, as well as painful bowel obstructions. As with pleural effusions, doctors may also drain abdominal fluid buildup to lessen discomfort.

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Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, a type of mesothelioma that originates in the two layers that make up the lining of the lungs and chest wall (known as the pleura), are most often caused by the tumors that form within these layers. These tumors form, over time, after asbestos inhalation has occurred. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they make their way through the trachea or bronchi and eventually penetrate the pleural lining. These asbestos fibers may then damage the DNA of mesothelial cells, causing uncontrolled cell growth and the development of mesothelioma, which leads to the symptoms below.

Roughly 60% of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma report lower back or side chest pain. There are also frequent instances of shortness of breath. Some people may experience difficulty swallowing, a persistent cough, fever, weight loss, or fatigue. Additional symptoms include muscle weakness, loss of sensory capability, hemoptysis or coughing up blood, facial and arm swelling, and hoarseness.

Pleural mesothelioma is also the only type of mesothelioma that is formally classified into stages. The symptoms that accompany these stages depend largely on the size and location of tumors and if any form of fluid buildup is present.

Stage I Symptoms

During stage I, which also includes sub-stages Ia and Ib, the tumors are so small and localized that symptoms are rarely present. In stage Ia, the tumors form in a scattered pattern, known as diffuse mesothelioma, within the outer layer of the pleura that lines the chest wall, or the parietal pleura. In stage Ib, this diffuse mesothelioma takes place within the inner layer, or the visceral pleura. The presence of pleural effusion during these stages — the collection of fluid between the layers of the pleura — may cause some early warning signs such as fever, body aches, chest pain, and coughing. To control the effusion and these associated symptoms, the fluid may need to be drained in a relatively limited surgical procedure.

Stage II Symptoms

In stage II, the small tumors remain localized within the chest, but may begin to spread from the pleura to other lung tissues as well as the diaphragm. In addition to pleural effusion and associated symptoms from stage I, pleural thickening may occur in this stage due to scarring from asbestos inhalation and tumor growth. This causes further respiratory distress such as difficulty breathing, or dyspnea. Some patients also report symptomatic weight loss.

Stage III Symptoms

In addition to an increase in severity of the symptoms associated with the previous stages, stage III symptoms are specific to pleural mesothelioma. This is also the stage at which the majority of patients are diagnosed; at the same time, many stage III symptoms mirror those seen in lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Tumors have spread throughout the pleura and chest cavity on one side of the body as well as the lymph nodes, affecting the lining of the heart and diaphragm, the chest wall, and neighboring tissues. Depending on how the tumors spread, patients may continue or begin experiencing chest pain or tightness and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Symptoms presented at this stage can also include fever, fatigue, and weight loss.

Stage IV Symptoms

By stage IV, the most advanced stage, the cancer has metastasized and tumors have spread throughout the chest cavity, and often to organs and tissues on both sides of the body. Patients experience a range of symptoms present in the previous stages such as fever, night sweats, chest pain and tightness, shortness of breath, fatigue, and weight loss. Additionally, symptoms may include fluid buildup and pain in the abdomen, anemia, hemoptysis, and dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.

Stage IV treatments generally focus on symptom alleviation and management. Doctors may continue to drain fluid effusions to ease the discomfort of the associated symptoms. Pain medication and various respiratory therapies may also be included for pain and symptom management.

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PERICARDIAL MESOTHELIOMA

Pericardial mesothelioma originates in the pericardium, the protective membrane lining the heart. This disease accounts for approximately 1 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and has a generally poor prognosis. 

But there are surgical and chemotherapeutic options that can extend survival time.

Since it is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma, researchers have studied pericardial mesothelioma less than pleural or peritoneal types. As more cases of pericardial mesothelioma surface, however, 

researchers will develop more treatment options. These treatment options start out in clinical trials, which may be recruiting now.

What treatments work? Treatments like the pericardiectomy and chemothearpy can improve a patient’s quality of life. There are some notable cases of treatments managing the spread of this cancer for 

significant lengths of time.

What’s the prognosis for this disease? Most pericardial mesothelioma patients have a prognosis of 6 months. Yet, there are always exceptions to the rule. Talk to someone who can help you 

explore potential treatment options.

http://www.mesotheliomagroup.com/mesothelioma/pericardial

PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen and is the second most common type of mesothelioma. It makes up about 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases.

Just like pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. When someone ingests microscopic asbestos fibers, the tiny sharp particles get embedded in the lining 

of the abdomen (peritoneum). Over a course of 20 to 50 years, the fibers in the peritoneum cause mutations in the surrounding healthy mesothelial cells. Constant genetic damage makes these 

cells cancerous, forming tumors on the peritoneum.

What does your diagnosis mean? Once doctors obtain a diagnosis, they can determine a treatment plan based on the cell type and how advanced the disease is. Peritoneal mesothelioma doesn’t 

have a standard staging system, so doctors classify the disease as either localized or advanced. Those with localized mesothelioma can generally handle more aggressive treatments.

What treatments work? Surgery offers the best chances for long-term survival. The cytoreduction with HIPEC has become the standard of care for peritoneal mesothelioma patients. 

The procedure removes tumors from the abdomen and treats the affected area with heated chemotherapy.

What’s the prognosis for this disease? Thanks in part to HIPEC, peritoneal mesothelioma patients have a higher survival rate than those diagnosed with either pleural or pericardial mesothelioma. 

The survival time of some patients treated with this procedure has even reached beyond 5 years.

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PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA

Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. These fibers get lodged into the protective lining of the lungs (the pleura), causing genetic mutations in the surrounding cells. 

In some cases, this leads to pleural mesothelioma.

About 75 percent of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed each year are pleural mesothelioma. Being one the most common type of mesothelioma means specialists have more opportunities to develop 

new treatments — and hopefully a one day, a cure — for the disease. There are many promising new pleural mesothelioma treatments being tested every day. Getting involved in a clinical trial can open up 

your treatment options and chances for survival.

Why does your diagnosis matter? Aside from telling patients what is causing their symptoms, an accurate diagnosis is important when considering treatment options. Pleural mesothelioma can vary by stage 

and cell type, both of which affect treatment options.

What treatments are available? Most pleural mesothelioma patients are prescribed chemotherapy and/or radiation. These therapies help slow down the spread of aggressive mesothelioma cells. 

But surgical options like the the pleurectomy offer the best chances for a longer survival time.

What is the prognosis for this disease? The prognosis for pleural mesothelioma depends heavily on factors like the stage the disease was diagnosed and the patient’s overall health. 

Most patients live just over a year after being diagnosed, but there are patients living for years with the disease thanks to novel treatments.

http://www.mesotheliomagroup.com/mesothelioma/pleural

WHAT IS MESOTHELIOMA?

Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the thin membrane protecting several of the body’s most important organs, including the lungs, abdomen and heart. Treatment for this disease includes surgery, 

chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

There are roughly 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma in the United States every year. It’s caused by asbestos, a natural, fire-resistant mineral. Many industries, such as construction, manufacturing, 

and the military, have used asbestos in a variety of materials. It takes decades from the time of asbestos exposure for mesothelioma to develop.

Types of Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma affects the protective lining of the lungs, the pleura. It’s the most common location where the disease occurs — about 75 percent of all diagnosed cases are pleural. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, you’ve got the most treatment options available, and the highest life expectancy.

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the protective lining of the abdominal cavity, the area of your body containing several organs, including the stomach, intestines, kidneys, and liver.

 It’s the second most common location where mesothelioma grows—about 20 to 24 percent of all mesotheliomas occur here.

Pericardial mesothelioma affects the protective lining of the heart. It’s the rarest location where mesothelioma occurs, and accounts for about 1 percent of all cases. 

Because it’s rare, doctors don’t get to treat many patients with mesothelioma in this location, and haven’t had many chances to create effective treatments. As more cases appear, however, they’ll be able to do so.

http://www.mesotheliomagroup.com/mesothelioma