Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. During the 20th century, asbestos was widely used in a number of industries because it was a durable and fire-resistant insulator. By the 1980s, the health risks of the material began to be understood.

When asbestos-containing products are disturbed, microscopic asbestos fibers can break off and become airborne. The fibers can remain in the air for hours or even days, leading to innocent people inhaling or swallowing them.

Once in the body, the fibers cannot break down and may eventually cause serious asbestos-related illnesses, including peritoneal mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, like other types of mesothelioma, may not begin to develop until 10-50 years after initial exposure. This means that many people may be completely unaware that their symptoms could be related to asbestos exposure.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma often impact the digestive tract and include:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Anemia
• Blood in stool
• Bowel obstructions
• Change in bowel habits
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rib pain
• Upper back pain
• Vomiting up blood
• Weight loss

If you are experiencing these symptoms and may have worked in a high-risk asbestos occupation, work with your doctor to begin the diagnostic process.

It may also help your doctor if you communicate your possible history of asbestos exposure.

Receiving a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis can sometimes be a long process because the symptoms associated with this cancer are often similar to those of other, less serious conditions.

Once you detect symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, such as abdominal pain or swelling, your doctor will perform imaging tests such as X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans.

If any signs of cancer cells are visible on these scans, the doctor will order a biopsy to examine a fluid or tissue sample for cancerous cells. It is the only official way to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma.

Diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma before it spreads to other parts of the body may enable a wider range of treatment options. That is why after receiving a diagnosis it is important to find a mesothelioma specialist near you who can get you started on a treatment plan.

If you need help locating a mesothelioma specialist, contact us today. Our on-staff nurses may be able to help you find a mesothelioma doctor.

A mesothelioma prognosis is an estimate of how the disease will progress in a patient. It includes an average life expectancy and survival rate.

The average life expectancy for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma is 53 months with treatment. Additionally, peritoneal mesothelioma patients have a 5-year survival rate of 47%.

Once diagnosed, it is incredibly important to find a mesothelioma specialist. Peritoneal mesothelioma has a more positive average prognosis than other types of mesothelioma because it is receptive to treatment.

These cancer doctors, or oncologists, understand the unique characteristics of peritoneal mesothelioma and can provide the best treatment recommendations for your specific diagnosis.

There are several mesothelioma treatment options available for peritoneal mesothelioma including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

The most common peritoneal mesothelioma treatment is cytoreduction surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

This two-part treatment begins with surgery to remove any visible tumors from the abdominal cavity. After surgery, doctors then apply heated chemotherapy drugs to the surgery site to kill any remaining cancer cells.

Unfortunately, peritoneal mesothelioma treatment is expensive and can quickly exceed $400,000 annually. That’s why Simmons Hanly Conroy is committed to helping victims of peritoneal mesothelioma get the compensation they need to afford treatment and provide security for their families.

At Simmons Hanly Conroy, our peritoneal mesothelioma lawyers have been working with victims of the disease and their families for nearly a decade and have become intimately familiar with the questions and concerns patients may have.

Our national mesothelioma law firm has remained dedicated to helping clients affected by mesothelioma and their families, recovering over $9.7 billion on their behalf.

For years asbestos-product manufacturers put people at risk of their dangerous products. Through mesothelioma legal claims, we hold these companies responsible for their negligence and greed.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.