Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Last time, I've already discussed you the common type of Mesothelioma disease, the Pleural Mesothelioma. We all know that its a type of cancer that is located around the lining of the lungs, and begins when a membranous cell attempts to consume an asbestos fiber that has become lodged in the lung membrane. 

In this article, I will discuss you the other type of Mesothelioma cancer, the peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common than pleural, but both of these are  typically malignant mesothelioma's that can be just as tragic as it can be. Peritoneal mesothelioma begins in the abdominal cavity, as opposed to the lungs and pleural areas of pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal means it has to do with the peritoneum, which is a membrane that surrounds the abdominal area. 

The abdominal area has a membrane made up of mesothelial cells, named the mesothelium. A cancerous attack of these membrane areas are mesotheliomas. Asbestos is also the main cause of peritoneal mesothelioma in well over 90% of the cases. There are a few rare recorded cases of malignant mesothelioma when asbestos exposure was not identified. If you have been exposed to asbestos, there is a high chance you will suffer from an asbestos-caused disease such as asbestosis or pleural plaques. However, not all asbestos-caused diseases are fatal. 

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a malignant mesotheliomas which spread uncontrollably, or they can be benign, when the tumor stays where it is and can likely be removed. Unexplainable weight loss is a mesothelioma symptom which may occur in as many as 90% of benign and malignant mesothelioma. Generally, benign mesothelioma tends to show less symptoms than malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma symptoms for peritoneal mesothelioma almost always includes abdominal pain. 

Pleural Mesothelioma

We all know that mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops from the mesothelium - the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs, which is usually caused by exposure to asbestos.

There are three different types of Mesothelioma Cancer, the Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Pericardial Mesothelioma and the most common type is the Pleural Mesothelioma. This type of cancer is located around the lining of the lungs, and begins when a membranous cell attempts to consume an asbestos fiber that has become lodged in the lung membrane. When this occurs, other cells rush to help, but cannot do so as the fiber is too long and too thin for the body to achieve the removal on its own. As more cells pile up, inflammation results, leading to the growth of a tumor. Once a tumor has begun to grow around the lungs, patients will typically begin to experience a shortness of breath, a feeling of pressure, and often severe coughing. When these symptoms are examined by a doctor, they will often mistake them for a severe flu or buildup of fluid in the lungs from another source. 

Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of pleural mesothelioma. Used in many industries throughout the 20th century, asbestos was found in thousands of products and those who worked with the material in an occupational setting are most at risk for developing pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma research is exploring other risk factors, but none have been proven like the link between asbestos and pleural mesothelioma.