Abdominal Mesothelioma Cancer
Abdominal mesothelioma cancer is more commonly known as “peritoneal” mesothelioma. It's mesothelioma cancer located in the abdomen, on the surface of the abdominal organs. The peritoneum is a thin tissue that lines the abdomen, and it is the peritoneum that is attacked by the cancer in abdominal mesothelioma.
Abdominal Mesothelioma Cancer Can Spread
Abdominal mesothelioma may involve or spread to any of the following:
- stomach
- liver
- lungs
- heart
- esophagus
- intestines
- blood vessels
For about two-thirds of the patients with abdominal mesothelioma, as the tumor tissue grows, it begins to seep a fluid into the intracavitary space. This is called ascites, and it can eventually fill up the abdomen with fluid that surrounds the organs.
Symptoms of Abdominal Mesothelioma Cancer
The symptoms of abdominal or peritoneal mesothelioma and the percentage of patients that report experiencing them are as follows:
- ascites - 66%
- increased abdominal girth - 70%
- abdominal pain - 63%
- leukocytosis (elevated white blood cell count) - 50%
- abdominal mass - 40%
- digestive disturbances - 33%
- fever - 20%
- weight loss - 44%
- thrombocytosis (increased platelets in the blood) - 23%
The Rate of Abdominal Mesothelioma Cancer Cases
Between 100 and 500 cases of abdominal mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Abdominal/peritoneal mesothelioma is not as common as pleural mesothelioma(chest), and it happens to men and women with equal frequency. Abdominal mesothelioma is nearly always traceable to asbestos cancer exposure.
Treatment for Abdominal Mesothelioma Cancer
Surgery is usually considered for abdominal mesothelioma to remove the tumor tissue. However, if the tumor mass has spread (metastasized) too far or to sites such as blood vessels, it may not be possible to use a mesothelioma treatment with surgery, and other options such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be an alternative.
Further Information about Abdominal Mesothelioma Cancer
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with abdominal mesothelioma, it's in your best interest to learn all that you can about your medical and legal options. Contact mesothelioma treatment centers today for more information.
Abdominal Mesotelioma (english) / Mesotelioma Abdominal (spanish)
