Peritoneal mesothelioma develops after a person is exposed to asbestos and the fibers are either inhaled or swallowed. The cancer grows in the thin membranes around that person’s abdomen, called the peritoneum.
The prognosis typically is not optimistic with this aggressive type of cancer. Below are four things you should know about the disease:
- The total amount of people who are diagnosed with it annually comes in under 500.
- Even so, this is the second most-common type of cancer in the United States that is linked to asbestos. Since asbestos has largely been outlawed in most applications today, exposure is far lower than it used to be. However, people can still encounter it in older homes and structures where it was used in pipe insulation, tile and many similar applications.
- One of the most effective strategies for treating the disease is to first do cytoreductive surgery and then to compliment that with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, commonly known as HIPEC. Researchers say that this combination can “significantly improve survival” odds.
- Treatments that are used for peritoneal mesothelioma include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and debulking surgery.
Naturally, every case is unique. Different people respond to treatments differently. There are also a few factors to consider, such as how early the cancer was detected, if the patient has any other health complications and how advanced the disease has become. As with any cancer, the sooner it can be detected and treated, the better.
Have you developed peritoneal mesothelioma? As you look into your treatment options and plan for the future, be sure you also consider your potential legal rights to compensation.
Source: Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, “Peritoneal Mesothelioma,” accessed May 03, 2018