Why Peritoneal Mesothelioma Is Different Than Other Cancers

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Peritoneal mesothelioma is technically a form of cancer – and a particularly deadly, aggressive one. However, in some ways, it's misleading to group this type of cancer with other cancers, since its origins and symptoms are so unique.

What exactly is peritoneal mesothelioma? What are the most important facts to know about it? And did you know that asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit can lead to a multi-million dollar jury verdict or a lucrative settlement from an asbestos trust fund? Let's explore this in this article.

The Basics of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the peritoneum, which is a thin membrane that surrounds your abdominal cavity. While it's possible to develop mesothelioma without exposure to asbestos, the overwhelming majority of mesothelioma cases were caused by direct exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, in case you aren't familiar, is a type of material that was once considered to be highly valuable for construction projects, as it was both inexpensive and flame resistant.

This material is now known to be extremely dangerous, due to the sharp, jagged microscopic fibers that make it up. People who have breathed in these asbestos fibers may have them lodged in their lungs, eventually causing cell damage that can lead to the development of cancer. If you ingest asbestos fibers, or if asbestos fibers somehow make their way to your digestive system, those same jagged fibers can affect your peritoneum.

As this type of cancer affects your abdominal cavity, it's very common for people to have abdominal and digestive symptoms associated with this disease.

Additionally, peritoneal mesothelioma tends to be highly aggressive, spreading to other areas of the body quickly.

Why Peritoneal Mesothelioma Is Unique

Why is this type of cancer unique among other cancers?

· Rarity. Part of the answer derives from this cancer’s rarity. Mesothelioma itself is a rare type of cancer, and the most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Of all mesothelioma cases, only between 10 and 15 percent are peritoneal mesothelioma, affecting a mere 3,000 people every year. This doesn't make the disease any less scary or deadly, but it's exceptionally rare compared to some of its counterparts.

· Cause. This type of cancer is also unique because it's almost exclusively associated with a single cause: exposure to asbestos. With most other types of cancer, there are a variety of risk factors that must enter the risk equation, including things like family history, diet, environmental exposures, lifestyle habits, and previous medical history. While some of these factors can play a role in how your peritoneal mesothelioma develops and is treated, you can't get this specific type of cancer from activities like excessive drinking or a family history of mesothelioma.

· Aggressiveness. It’s possible for mesothelioma to be benign, which means the cancer isn't spreading. But it's much more common for mesothelioma to spread aggressively. In fact, mesothelioma is one of the fastest spreading and most aggressive types of cancer, making it especially deadly and intimidating.

· Treatment options. To make matters worse, there aren't many effective treatment methods available for peritoneal mesothelioma. Some treatment strategies simply aren't effective, and others are only marginally effective. Early treatment can extend your lifespan, but the prognosis is still grim; surgery and chemotherapy are by far the best available methods we have for treating this type of mesothelioma.

· Outlook. Survival rates of peritoneal mesothelioma are not favorable. Depending on when the cancer is caught, you may be able to survive for several more years, or you may have only a low risk of surviving the next couple of years. It all depends on the unique factors associated with you and your case.

Common Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

These are some of the most common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. If you've been in an environment associated with asbestos exposure, take action if you notice any of the following symptoms:

· Abdominal pain. Occasional, mild abdominal pain is probably no cause for concern, but consistent or severe abdominal pain should prompt you to take action.

· Bowel/digestive issues. Constipation and other bowel and digestive issues can also be an early sign of peritoneal mesothelioma.

· Nausea and vomiting. The development of abdominal cancers like peritoneal mesothelioma may cause nausea and vomiting, even in the absence of other stimuli.

· Fever and/or sweating. Early peritoneal mesothelioma can also be associated with fever or sweating.

· Lumps. Some people develop abdominal lumps, which may or may not be associated with abdominal pain.

Are You at Risk of Developing Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a deadly and rare type of cancer, but it's not something that most people have to worry about. Unless you have been exposed to asbestos, your risk of developing this deadly disease is quite low. That said, if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, and you notice any symptoms associated with mesothelioma, it's important to talk to a doctor right away.