Peritoneal Mesothelioma Prognosis
More than 2,500 cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year, and only about 20% are peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen, also known as the peritoneum. This lining is divided into two parts, the visceral peritoneum that covers the internal organs and the intestinal tract, and the parietal peritoneum that lines the abdominal cavity. Either or both linings can be invaded by cancerous mesothelioma when asbestos fibers become lodged in the spaces between the cells.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is one of four types of malignant mesothelioma, the other three being pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma. After peritoneal mesothelioma is diagnosed, the doctor renders a prognosis. The prognosis is designed to deliver information to the patient about the stage of the disease, available treatment options, and life expectancy. The doctor will also typically detail how far the cancer has spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body.
If peritoneal mesothelioma is detected early, many treatment options are available for this asbestos cancer. If it is caught early enough, although there is no cure, there is a chance that surgeons can remove the cancer and use a chemotherapy technique to kill any stray cancer cells. Early detection is rare, however, since there is no screening method to find and identify peritoneal mesothelioma. The cancer is usually found when the patient visits the doctor complaining of symptoms. The manifestation of symptoms indicates late-stage peritoneal mesothelioma.
Factors Influencing a Peritoneal Mesothelioma Prognosis
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops 15 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos, so the average age of patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma is over the age of 55. Age affects the prognosis, along with the overall health, history, and lifestyle of the patient. Young, active, healthy patients have a much better survival rate. Malignant mesothelioma treatments are difficult, debilitating, and often painful. Some people are unable to withstand the rigors of treatment, both mentally and physically, and are not good candidates for the more aggressive life-saving treatments.
How a Peritoneal Mesothelioma Prognosis is Determined
Most often, the patient visits his doctor complaining of symptoms like abdominal pain or swelling, diarrhea or constipation, development of lumps under the skin on the abdomen, night sweats or fever, unexplained weight loss, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, or anemia. The doctor asks questions and performs a series of tests to rule out possible causes until he narrows the diagnosis to cancer. At this point, patients are most often referred to a cancer specialist, or oncologist, who runs additional tests until he is confident of a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis.
Information Provided During the Prognosis
In a peritoneal mesothelioma prognosis, information is offered about treatment, care and therapy options, life expectancy, and about the disease itself. The oncologist will be prepared to answer typical questions and offer practical advice.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survival Rate
According to Cancer Research UK, only about four people in ten who are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma will survive for a full year. Two of 10 will survive for two years, and only one will live three years and beyond. Of 100 people, only eight will survive for five years or longer. Low survival rates for peritoneal mesothelioma patients are largely due to late stage diagnosis of this asbestos cancer. Few people are diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, but there is cause for hope. New research already in clinical trials holds promise for an early detection method that could be on the market within a few years.
