Abdominal Mesothelioma Health Information

Abdominal mesothelioma, also known as peritoneal mesothelioma, is one form of a rare asbestos-linked cancer, mesothelioma. The abdominal mesothelioma, as the name suggests, is a cancer of the tissues in the abdominal cavity. Abdominal mesothelioma generally affects men ages 50-70, although women make up about one-fifth of all abdominal mesothelioma cases.

Abdominal pains, abdominal weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling are all abdominal mesothelioma symptoms. Patients exhibiting these symptoms are usually scheduled for further examinations to search for other abdominal mesothelioma signs. If an X-ray or CT scan indicates signs that the patient indeed may have abdominal mesothelioma, a biopsy is conducted, allowing the physician to determine the malignancy level. Any abdominal mesothelioma treatment will be determined by the physician and patient, taking into account the stage of the abdominal mesothelioma, the location and sizes of any tumors, and the age and health of the patient. Abdominal mesothelioma has a very high mortality rate, and in many cases, diagnosis occurs when the abdominal mesothelioma has already progressed too far. In such cases, all actions focus on making the abdominal mesothelioma as comfortable as possible, often removing portions of the tumor to relieve pressure.

Abdominal mesothelioma patients may be able to recover part or all of the costs of treating abdominal mesothelioma, due to its strong links to asbestos exposure.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

LUNGS

The lungs are wrapped in a thin membrane called the visceral pleura. The chest wall is similarly lined (parietal pleura). These two membranes touch and slide across each other while we breathe, lubricated by a slick of fluid.

Mesothelioma usually develops in only one lung. The tumour tends to grow across the lung until the entire organ is encased. Sometimes cancer cells migrate to lymph nodes and other areas of the body (such as the unaffected lung) via the lymphatic system. Mesothelioma causes the pleura to make more fluid than necessary, which presses on the lung (pleural effusion). Symptoms includes

Breathlessness

Dry cough

Pain.

Peritoneum

About 10 per cent of mesothelioma cases involve the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal and the pelvic cavities. Swallowed asbestos fibres can move through the stomach wall and cause mesothelioma to develop in the peritoneum. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:

Painful abdomen

Swollen abdomen

High temperature

Nausea and vomiting

Bowel problems

Urinary problems.

Symptoms in the later stages

Sudden and unexplained weight loss

Spitting up sputum

Spitting up blood

Swallowing problems

Hoarseness.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

How Do Doctor's Diagnose Mesothelioma?

The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is a complete evaluation of a patient's medical history to determine symptoms and any past asbestos exposure, as well as a complete physical. In addition, physicians may request an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan or an X-ray of the abdomen or chest region to help determine the location and size of the tumor.

In cases of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, fluid (effusion) may collect in the chest or abdominal region. Physicians may use a procedure known as fine needle aspiration to obtain a sample of this fluid for further testing. In addition, this procedure can be used to drain the effusion to temporarily relieve chest pain or other symptoms.

Usually, a biopsy of the tumor is required to make a diagnosis, however, sometimes only a fluid sample is needed. Below are a number of procedures commonly used.

Peritoneoscopy

In a case of peritoneal mesothelioma a tool called a peritoneoscope is used, which will be placed inside an opening made in the patient's abdomen. If fluid is found in the abdomen it will be drained through a process called paracentesis, which requires a needle to be placed inside the abdomen in order to extract the fluid.

Thoracoscopy

In diagnosing pleural mesothelioma a special instrument called a thoracoscope is used to examine the patient's chest cavity. This requires an incision to be made in the chest wall, which will be used to place the thoracoscope between the patient's ribs. If fluid are collected in a patient's chest, it will be drained out of the chest cavity through a needle. This test commonly requires anesthetic or another form of pain suppression.

Biopsy

If cancerous tissue is found in the patient's lungs or abdomen it will be extracted and examined. This process helps determine potential ways of treatment and is usually done during the above two processes or may require additional surgery.

After Diagnosis - - Your Feelings

Shock

"I can't believe it. It can't be true."

Feeling shocked is often the first reaction when mesothelioma is diagnosed. You may

Feel numb and not believe what is happening

Be unable to express any emotion

Find you can only take in small amounts of information

Ask the same questions or need to be told the same thing over and over again

Needing to have information repeated is a common reaction to shock

Fear

"Am I going to die?" "Will I be in pain?"

The first thing people ask about having mesothelioma cancer is: "Am I going to die?"

Remember - Mesothelioma patients can live for many years.

Mesothelioma clinical trials provides new hope. Today, many things can be done to help with any pain or discomfort or to slow the cancer down.

Many people are worried about their treatment and whether it will be very unpleasant. Remember that research into making treatments easier to cope with, and reducing and controlling side effects has been going on for years and will continue. Stories you hear about people being treated years ago will be out of date. It is best to talk to your doctor about your treatment before relying on rumor or other incorrect information.

Denial

There's nothing really wrong with me. I don't have mesothelioma."

Some people choose to cope with their situation by

Not wanting to know anything about their mesothelioma cancer

Talking about it as little as possible

If that's how you feel, tell the people around you quite firmly that, for the time being, you don't want to talk about your illness.

But sometimes you may find it is the other way around. Your family and friends may

Deny your illness

Appear to ignore the fact that you have mesothelioma

Play down your anxieties and symptoms

Deliberately change the subject

These sorts of reactions may arise because people are frightened or embarrassed to talk about cancer, or because mesothelioma is such a rare form of cancer, they do not understand what it entails. Others may feel that if they don't talk about it, they can try to pretend it isn't happening. You may, however, want them to support you by sharing how you feel. If the reactions of others upset or hurt you,

Try telling them how you feel

Reassure them that you know what is happening

Explain that talking to them about your illness will help

Anger

Anger about your illness may be directed at

Those who are closest to you

The doctors and nurses who are caring for you

The companies that made the asbestos products and knew they were dangerous

God, if you are religious

You don't have to feel guilty about your angry thoughts or moods. But relatives and friends don't always realize that you are not angry with them but are angry with your illness. It may help to

Tell them this at a time when you are not feeling quite so angry

Ask them to read these pages, if talking is difficult

If you are finding it difficult to talk to your family, you may want to discuss this with a counselor.

Blame and Guilt

Sometimes in trying to find reasons why cancer has happened you may blame yourself or other people for your illness.

While asbestos exposure is the trigger, many factors must coincide to cause mesothelioma cancer. Chance plays a big part. Some people are more prone to developing a mesothelioma cancer because of their genes. Also, workers and other exposed to asbestos were never informed about the dangers; so there is no way that the average person could have avoided these dangers.

In addition, many experts believe a single tiny strand of asbestos is sufficient to trigger mesothelioma, which with the widespread use of asbestos, is impossible to avoid. Finally, you had to work to earn a living and provide for your family - that was not a choice. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to avoid blaming yourself, but talking about these feelings helps.

Why Me?

Having mesothelioma cancer can make you feel cross with people who are well. Why should this have happened to you and not to someone else? You may feel

Angry

Sad

Bad tempered

These feelings may crop up from time to time throughout your illness and treatment. Relatives may also be angry that your illness interferes with their lives.

It helps to express your feelings openly. Bottling it up may upset everyone.

Leave Me Alone

There may be times during your illness when you want to be left alone to sort out your own feelings. This can be hard for family and friends who may not understand how you feel, and want to share this difficult time with you. You can make it easier for them by telling them that

You don't feel like talking about your illness now, but you will talk to them when you do

You still care about them even if you do not want to talk about your illness

Depression

Depression is often triggered by a diagnosis of mesothelioma. You might not be able to think clearly or do things, or you might not want to get up in the morning. You may want to talk to your doctor or nurse who can

Explain to you that these feelings are common with mesothelioma patients

Prescribe a course of drugs that may help you

Refer you to a doctor or counselor who specializes in the problems of cancer patients

It is quite common for people with cancer to feel depressed, so don't feel you are different if you need to ask for help.

Positive Thinking

One of the things that people with mesothelioma are often encouraged to do is to "be positive". But that is not that easy. Living with mesothelioma and its treatment can be frightening. There will be times when you may feel low and fear for you future.

Most people with mesothelioma cancer are frightened about how they might die and what will happen to their families if they do die. There are obviously very trying emotions, and it is very difficult to "just take it your stride". Friends and family, however, may advise you to think positively. It may help to remember that being positive

Doesn't mean being cheerful and optimistic

Means recognizing some of the fearful possibilities that arise from having mesothelioma cancer

Nobody should expect you to feel good when confronting fear.

Being positive and thinking positively can even include

Feeling upset

Feeling frightened

Such feelings can be a sign of strength - and may reflect your courage in facing up to an uncertain future.

Being positive may include expressing your full range of emotions. It is, perhaps, more about being able to balance the bad with the good, and not allowing negative emotions overwhelm you.