3 Potential Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms - Health - Cancer

Mesothelioma is one of the less common types of cancer affecting around 2000 people in the UK each year. It develops when the linings of the lungs or the abdomen start to grow in a rapid and uncontrollable way. This condition is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos and because of this it is often nicknamed asbestos cancer. If it affects the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum) it is referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma. In this article I will be outlining three potential symptoms for this type of cancer and discussing the steps you should take if you notice any of these.

The peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) actually has two layers; the inner (visceral) layer which is beside the abdominal organs and the outer (parietal) layer which is next to the abdominal wall. One of the functions of the peritoneum is to secrete a lubricating fluid to allow the abdominal organs to move against one another. When peritoneal mesothelioma occurs it leads to both of these layers becoming thicker. This can then lead to a number of undesirable symptoms that are discussed below:

1) ASCITES:- As the inner and outer layers of the peritoneum become thicker, lubricating fluid can become trapped in this area. This can then lead to a build up of fluid which is referred to as ascites. Ascites can lead to swelling in the abdomen and also cause abdominal pain as the build up of fluid causes the peritoneum to press against the abdominal organs.

2) ABDOMINAL PAIN:- As peritoneal mesothelioma develops and the tumour increases in size it can start to press against the abdominal organs. This often causes abdominal pain and discomfort. As discussed above ascites (another peritoneal mesothelioma symptom) can also lead to abdominal pain.

3) POOR BOWEL FUNCTIONING:- As the tumour increases in size or the ascites cause further swelling the intestines can become blocked. This can make it difficult to excrete waste from the body and also lead to further bowel problems.

If you notice any symptoms similar to those discussed above you should consult your doctor immediately. Upon seeing your doctor you should inform them of the symptoms you have experienced and also tell them if you have previously been in contact with asbestos. Once your doctor has this information they will be able to perform the required tests and determine whether you have peritoneal mesothelioma. Following this they can then discuss the relevant treatment options with you if necessary.

Mesothelioma is one of the rarest types of cancer. In most cases these symptoms will turn out to be something much less serious. However, by seeing your doctor you can get a professional opinion on whether you have mesothelioma or not. If you have had persistent abdominal pains, your abdomen has become swollen or you have had regular bowel problems go see your doctor straight away.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Mesothelioma is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

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Mesothelioma Symptom Heralds The Arrival Of A Killer Disease - Health - Cancer

Mesothelioma, the cancer of mesothelium, occurs in three forms, namely, pleural, peritoneal and pericardial. The infection occurs due to exposure to asbestos particles for long periods and is one of the most serious forms of cancer. Normally, mesothelioma symptom comes up and the infection is detected only at developed stages and this factor alone is responsible for most mesothelioma deaths.

The three types of mesothelioma throws up mostly similar symptoms and only an experienced medical practitioner can detect the exact type of infection. Wrong diagnosis has often resulted in delay in accurate treatment leading to the death of the patient. Pleural mesothelioma throws up symptoms like shortness of breath, hoarseness, difficulty while swallowing, coughing up of blood, building up of excess fluid between the pleura which is called pleural effusion, pain in the chest, abdomen, shoulder or arm, loss of weight, weakness, fever and loss of appetite.

However, symptoms may vary from patient to patient and according to the severity of the sickness. Shortness of breath and chest pain are experienced by around 90% of all patients, pleural effusion is witnessed in 84% while weight loss is observed in fewer than thirty percent of patients only. Around 3% patients remain asymptomatic.

Peritoneal mesothelioma patients experience weight loss, pain or swelling in the abdomen, obstruction of bowels, high fever etc. Here also some patients may not experience all these symptoms but some others may witness some additional mesothelioma symptom also. Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms are chest pain of varying degrees, persistent coughing, high fatigue without any physical activity etc.

Recognizing the symptoms in the right perspective is the first step towards formulating a winning treatment formula. Mesothelioma symptom usually appears after the person is well past his or her prime and this is also a restricting factor in mesothelioma cure. Once the doctor recognizes the type of cancer from the symptoms and checkups, treatment procedures start in real earnest. If the tumor is just a localized growth, it can be removed by surgery. But chemotherapy and radiation also may be required to fight advanced stages of this cancer and the results are not always encouraging.

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How To Understand Mesothelioma Symptom - Health - Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which affects the mesothelium. Pleural, peritoneal and pericardial are the three forms of mesothelioma. It is a serious form of cancer and occurs due to asbestos exposure for a prolonged period of time. Mesothelioma symptom appears after many years of being infected. Most of the mesothelioma deaths occur since the infection is diagnosed at developed stages of the disease.

Similar symptoms are shown by all the three types of mesothelioma cancer and the exact diagnosis can be done only by an experienced medical practitioner. Many deaths have occurred due to the wrong diagnosis and delayed treatment due to it. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, hoarseness, building up of excess fluid between the pleura known as pleural effusion, coughing up of blood, pain in abdomen, chest, shoulder or arm, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever etc.

Depending of the seriousness of the disease, the symptoms may vary from person to person. About 90% of the patients experience chest pain and shortness of breath, 84% suffer pleural effusion and less than 30% bear weight loss. It should also be noted that around 3% of the patients remain without any symptoms.

Pain or swelling in the abdomen, high fever, problems associated with bowel movements, weight loss etc are experienced by peritoneal mesothelioma patients. A few patients may go through additional mesothelioma symptoms where as some may not witness all the above mentioned symptoms. The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma are persistent cough, pain of varying degrees, tiredness without any physical exertion etc.

Once the disease is properly identified through the tests and symptoms the first thing to do is to decide up on a winning treatment formula. Mesothelioma symptom normally appears when one has crossed his prime age. This is a serious handicap in the way for a complete cure. Once the treatment is finalized, the actual process starts in earnest. Localized tumors can be eradicated by surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation may be required if the cancer is in the advanced stages, but the results are not always positive.

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Common Mesothelioma Symptoms For People Wondering If They Have Mesothelioma - Health

This disease is very harmful to the human body and can even claim the life of the patient.

In order to extend the life span and improve the quality of life, it is suggested that the patient must follow doctor's directions.

There are various Mesothelioma Symptoms which need to be taken into consideration so that it enables you to take the right decision.

The main symptom of this disease is called pleural effusion which is a condition in which fluid gets accumulated in the lining of lungs.

This condition gives rise to pain in the chest and difficulty in breathing.

If the patients sheds blood with cough, he may be suffering from this disease as this is one of the most important signs of cancer, Mesothelioma Symptoms will cause difficulty in swallowing and result in hoarseness.

Weight loss is one of the most common symptoms and the patient may be suffering from Mesothelioma if there is an abrupt change in the weight.

In case, there is a significant weight lose, you must go and talk to your doctor as an early deyection and prompt medication will help in improving your medical condition.

If you have developed lumps around your chest and abdomen, you must seek the help of a doctor and get it diagnosed at the earliest.

There are no significant symptoms of this disease and it makes it difficult for the patients to identify the problems.

In order to bring forth positive results, it is highly recommended that you stick to the schedule as prescribed by your health care provider including the tests he may ask you to get done for right diagnoses.

Smoking cannot be associated with mesothelioma unlike lung Cancer. A person who smokes may have a higher risk. The cancer is very rare. A person will see mesothelioma symptoms only 20 - 50 years after exposure to asbestos. This makes it difficult for a doctor to cure the disease after Diagnosis..

People who work with asbestos are most commonly prone to the affliction.. They inhale asbestos during their jobs. Families of asbestos workers and washing clothes of asbestos workers can also lead to asbestos related cancer.

Mesothelioma symptoms in its early stages are non-specific.. Due to the accumulation of fluid in the area between the lung wall and the chest, a person complains of shortness of breath or chest Pain. Weight loss may also occur. These are symptoms of the first type of mesothelioma called as pleural mesothelioma in which cancer cells are found on the outer protective lining of the internal chest wall and Lungs..

Mesothelioma symptoms cannot be detected easily because their location is not tracked at the initial stage in the body.

It is difficult to detect the root cause since mesothelioma symptoms are similar to human disorders such as respiratory and gastric disorders.

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Mesothelioma Symptoms - Health - Cancer

Since mesothelioma is such a rare form of cancer, many people who develop mesothelioma symptoms have never even heard of this disease and are unaware of its symptoms.

Most of the body's internal organs are covered with a protective sac called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma cancer occurs when malignant or cancerous cells appear in the mesothelium. The lungs, heart, and abdominal organs are the most commonly affected organs. Of these, the lung lining (plueral mesothelioma) is most typically infected.

Exposure to asbestos is almost always the cause of mesothelioma. Prior to 1975, asbestos was one of the materials commonly used in the manufacture of building materials. In most cases, symptoms of mesothelioma do not appear for 20 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, malignant mesothelioma caused 2,704 deaths during 2005. So, even though asbestos has been used sparsely since 1975, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that deaths caused by mesothelioma will peak during 2010.

Until it reaches advanced stages, this form of cancer provides very few obvious symptoms. It remains dormant for years; however, when it becomes active it quickly attacks the mesothelium and becomes almost impossible to treat successfully. The CDC estimates that 75% of the people who discover symptoms will die within one year of being diagnosed with this cancer. The remainder will die 6 months to several years later.

Plueral mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining) represents approximately 3 out of 4 of the cases diagnosed. Typical symptoms of this type of mesothelioma include shortness of breath and or/chronic coughing. Of course, since these symptoms are similar to those of allergies or the common cold, it does not occur to most people that they are infected with this type of cancer.

Peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the stomach and intestines) also exhibits symptoms that are not obviously recognizable as cancer, such as anemia and fever.

It is important to understand that mesothelioma generally takes decades to develop, but once mesothelioma symptoms are discovered (properly diagnosed) it quickly becomes aggressive. The best course of action is to become aware of the symptoms and to immediately seek diagnosis and treatment.

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Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms and Misdiagnosis - Health - Medicine

Pericardial mesothelioma is a mesothelioma cancer that starts perilously close to the heart. Misdiagnosis is common, and treatment options are slim. The tumor can be benign, allowing for easier removal, or malignant - fast spreading and deadly. There are many cancers and diseases that affect the pericardial space around the heart, and pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest. However, it is the most common primary malignant pericardial tumor. It can also be secondary to malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Five to ten percent of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial mesothelioma, and the failure to diagnose pericardial mesothelioma early enough contributes to its low life expectancy from a few months to less than two years. The failure to detect the disease can also contribute to its statistical status. Early detection of pericardial mesothelioma provides a faint hope for prolonged survival, but only in the rarest and perhaps most medically advanced of mesothelioma cases is this possible.

Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of pericardial mesothelioma and other mesotheliomas, such as the abdominal peritoneal mesothelioma, and the more common pleural mesothelioma of the lungs. The lungs, the abdomen and the heart are surrounded by a membrane. The cancer tumors of mesothelioma attack these membranes that are made out of mesothelium cells. If you can visualize your heart hanging within a sac, you can visual the membrane that is the subject of pericardial mesothelioma.

Pericardial mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma all involve the fluid that is retained with the membrane. This fluid is necessary for proper functioning of the heart, lungs and other vital bodily systems. Excess fluid interferes, and even halts normal organ functions. The excess fluid is what is responsible for many of the mesothelioma symptoms of pain.

Chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, and severe sweating at night have all been recorded as symptoms of malignant pericardial mesothelioma. These are more likely to be symptomatic of a non-cancer pericardial disease such as an inflammation of the pericardium - which is called pericardiocentesis and has identical symptoms. There have been cases where a misdiagnosis of lupus and even tuberculosis turned up as being malignant pericardial mesothelioma. Secondary cancers from lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma and leukemia can also attack the pericardium. Malignant mesothelioma in the pericardial region is often not discovered until surgery.

To further complicate matters, a CT scan can be interpreted as fluid, rather than the malignant tumor it is. This happened in 1979 with a 17 year old boy. Computed tomography has fortunately made significant advances since 1979, but CTs, MRIs and PETs must be done quickly. Poor detection and recognition still exist, and a second and third opinion should always be pursued. A patient should persist to find the source of pain and mesothelioma symptoms whenever a physician suggests an unknown etymology.

Pericardial mesothelioma treatment is in its infancy. Research continues in the areas of combination chemotherapies to reduce mass, intracavitary chemotherapy and irradiation, vaccines, molecular therapy and other mesothelioma treatment and preventative measures. As mesothelioma cases increase, so will effective mesothelioma treatments. It may be a long time before a cure for pericardial mesothelioma and other mesotheliomas are discovered. For now, advocacy work to ban asbestos use world wide is one of the best preventative medicines for the future that even a non-scientist can pursue.

Pericardial mesothelioma is often underdiagnosed in traditional tests and not found until heart surgery. The pain of pericardial mesothelioma and other malignant mesothelioma cancers can be quite severe. If a patient has pericardial mesothelioma with severe pain, the chances of survival and mesothelioma life expectancy is under two years. In 2004 a pericardiectomy was performed on a 19 year old boy and he died soon after surgery. A case study on a 54 year old man reported in the 2008 publication of the Annals of Thoracic Cardiovacular Surgery concluded that pain been shown to be reduced with resectioning the tumor and a pericardiectomy, which removes the pericardium, or a section of the pericardium.

Pericardiectomies are used more frequently to reduce constriction. However this barely touches the surface of the disease. The surgery is risky, but as knowledge of the cancer increases, so does the effectiveness of surgery. The earlier the pericardial mesothelioma tumor is found, the less risky the surgery. Pericardial mesothelioma does not respond to radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is used to reduce the cancerous mass.

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mesothelioma symptom - Health - Cancer

A mesothelioma symptom might not appear until between twenty and fifty years prior to the exposure to asbestos, which makes the disease difficult to diagnose or screen for, although there are some screening procedures which show some degree of effectiveness.

Symptoms of mesothelioma can include coughing, shortness of breath, pain in the chest, weight loss, swelling and pain of the abdomen, bowel obstruction, blood clotting problems, anemia, fever, general pain, difficulty swallowing, blood in the fluid coughed up, jaundice, low blood sugar level, swelling of the neck and/or face. Different symptoms might occur at different stages of the disease, and with different variations on the disease such as peritoneal mesothelioma or the more common pleural mesothelioma.

However, diagnosis of mesothelioma is often very difficult because any or all these symptoms can be caused by a variety of other less serious medical problems other than mesothelioma. If one has been exposed to asbestos (or other mesothelioma-causing chemicals, asbestos is not the only one), mesothelioma maybe suspected. The patient is usually examined physically first, then chest X-ray and lung function tests. After that, any fluid building up in the chest cavity can be tested, and a biopsy done, which involves taking a small sample of relevant bodily tissue (such as from chest or abdomen) for examination under a microscope by a pathologist.

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer. It is found in only about one per million people, compared to a lung cancer incidence of one thousand per million people exposed to smoking. A combination of asbestos exposure and smoking can increase a person's likelihood of getting the mesothelioma, although smoking on its own has not been show to cause the disease.

When diagnosed, mesothelioma can be treated by surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, often in a combination. Large legal settlements are often obtained by people with the disease. It is important to remember that what might appear to be a mesothelioma symptom is much more likely to be an indication of a less dangerous problem.

For more relevant information see our Blog Post Mesothelioma Symptom

For more relevant information see our Blog Mesothelioma Reports

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