PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA & PATIENTS IN NEW YORK

The term “Mesothelioma” is coined for cancerous tumor which involves the mesothelial cells of an organ caused due to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is increasingly becoming a common problem of people in New York. The two most prevalent forms are pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer is caused due to asbestos fibers reaching the lining of the abdomen called peritoneum.

Though it is less common compared to pleural mesothelioma but it tends to be more invasive, and may thus result in a shorter life expectancy for the patient.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

Though peritoneal mesothelioma does not manifest itself significantly in its early stages but as the cancerous cells continue to divide over time, tumors start to form and the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer become much more conspicuous and evident.

Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Changes in bowel habits (such as diarrhea or constipation)
• Development of lumps under the skin on the abdomen
• Night sweats or fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea or vomiting
• Anemia

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment

Though there is no complete cure available for this aggressive abdominal carcinoma but still the options for relief and survival of peritoneal mesothelioma patients have improved tremendously with ongoing research. The most recommended treatments to combat this life -threatening cancer are:

• Cytoreductive Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
• Intraoperative photodynamic therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Gene therapy

Since the devastating effects of the disease are increasing day by day recently combination of various modes of mesothelioma treatment have become popular. The role of systemic chemotherapy with Pemetrexed and cisplatin is still under research after the combined treatment. A number of cancer centers in New York have equipped themselves to take care of patients suffering with the disease. There are a number of patients in New York who are fighting the disease with the help of these centers. Besides, there are various organizations in New York who are aggressively researching to find a cure of the lethal disease.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Prognosis

To understand anyone’s chances of getting mesothelioma first thing is to check the possibility of asbestos exposure. In New York, one could have been exposed to asbestos in power-plants, shipyards or near construction sites. But as even housing material used asbestos in New York earlier, there could be exposure due to fire damage in your home, school etc.

As the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma tumor are not so unique and due to its rare occurrence mesothelioma prognosis is a real challenge for the doctors. Various physical examination and the results of a number of medical tests can help to determine the mesothelioma prognosis. It has several important factors like:

• The patient’s overall health and fitness at the time of diagnosis
• Type of mesothelioma tumor
• Size of the tumor
• Stage of the cancer

Proper mesothelioma prognosis can lead to better treatment and longer survival periods.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survival

The survivability of a mesothelioma patient depends on a number of factors including patient’s physical stamina, type of mesothelioma, mode of treatment chosen, severity of the disease and even a patient’s morale. If the disease is diagnosed at its early stages as benign peritoneal mesothelioma then it is fully curable by surgical removal of the tumor. But when diagnosed as malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, only 4-24 months is the expected survival time.

For more important information on peritoneal mesothelioma medicine and attorneys in New York be sure to visit www.newyorkmesothelioma.org