The organs of the body are covered by connective tissue called the pleura (in the chest) or the peritoneum (in the abdomen). Sometimes this tissue can develop genetic abnormalities that cause the cells to divide more rapidly than normal and to invade the surrounding tissue, causing a condition known as malignant mesothelioma.
Peritoneum
The internal organs of the thorax and abdomen are all covered by connective tissue. In the abdomen, this tissue is called the peritoneum. It is responsible for giving the organs of the abdomen support as well as to protect the organs from rubbing against each other.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the result of the cells in the peritoneum becoming cancerous. According to Brigham and Women's hospital, peritoneal mesothelioma makes up somewhere between one fifth and one third of all cases of mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a serious cancer with a median survival time after diagnosis of less than a year.
Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, the primary symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma occur in the abdomen. They include severe abdominal pain and abdominal swelling. Peritoneal mesothelioma can also cause sudden and unexplained weight loss, which is a common symptom of cancer. In addition, patients with peritoneal mesothelioma may experience changes in their bowel movements (such as constipation or diarrhea) and may develop lumps or masses in their abdomen.
Causes
Although most cases of mesothelioma are related to asbestos exposure, only a small fraction of peritoneal mesothelioma patients have a history of exposure to asbestos. This form of peritoneal mesothelioma is sometimes called chrysotile peritoneal mesothelioma. Aside from this particular subtype of mesothelioma, it is not known what causes or is a risk factor for peritoneal mesothelioma.
Treatment
Although there are no cures for this rapidly fatal cancer, there are treatment options that can slow its progress, especially if the cancer is caught early. One option is surgery in which the physician will attempt to remove the peritoneum or, at the very least, as much of the cancer as possible. Chemotherapy, which involves the administration of toxic chemicals to kill the cancerous cells, may also be used. In the case of peritoneal mesothelioma, the chemotherapeutic compounds can be injected directly into the abdomen, which allows doctors to use higher doses of the medications.
