Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum. It makes up around 10% of mesothelioma diagnoses and has the best prognosis of all types. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and fluid buildup in the abdomen. Surgery with heated chemotherapy has helped some peritoneal mesothelioma patients survive for 5+ years.
What Is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Peritoneal mesothelioma is an asbestos-caused cancer that develops in the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a thin membrane that covers the abdominal cavity and the organs inside it, such as the stomach, liver, spleen, and intestines.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is usually caused by ingesting asbestos fibers that travel from the digestive or lymphatic systems to the peritoneum. The fibers can mutate into cancerous cells after many years.
More rare than its counterpart that develops in the lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma affects about 600 Americans each year.
Despite being the second most common type of mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma has the most favorable prognosis. Patients who undergo cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC live for 5 years or more, in many cases.
How Peritoneal Mesothelioma Develops
- Exposure: Asbestos fibers are swallowed or inhaled and become trapped in the stomach lining.
- Buildup: Over time, the fibers irritate healthy cells and damage cell DNA, causing cancer cells to grow and the peritoneum to thicken.
- Damage: Mesothelioma cells continue growing and spreading, eventually forming tumors.
- Cancer: The invasive peritoneal tumors progress rapidly until treatments help to slow their growth.
Who Is at Risk for Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
People at high risk of asbestos exposure are generally more likely to develop peritoneal mesothelioma. High-risk groups include blue-collar workers, U.S. veterans, and those who live near asbestos mines or natural deposits.
Loved ones of individuals exposed to asbestos may also be at higher risk through secondhand exposure.
“I got peritoneal mesothelioma from working with my dad. He was a subcontractor, and he used to take us with him to his job sites.”
– Brenda W., Peritoneal Mesothelioma Victim
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:
- Abdominal fluid buildup (ascites)
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating (abdominal distention)
- Fever and night sweats
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
The symptoms of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma may not appear until 20-50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. These symptoms tend to be mild and vague, so many patients aren’t diagnosed until after their cancer has spread.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Diagnosis
In order to confirm a peritoneal mesothelioma cancer diagnosis, your doctor must perform a biopsy. They may also use imaging tests to look for signs of cancer and rule out other diseases.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests are the first step in the diagnostic process for peritoneal mesothelioma. Patients who report abdominal pain and swelling may receive X-rays, a computed tomography scan (CT scan), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Biopsies
Next, if your doctor suspects cancer, they will perform a biopsy. During this procedure, your doctor will collect a fluid or tissue sample and examine it under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present.
Types of biopsies for peritoneal mesothelioma include fine-needle aspiration, core needle biopsy, or diagnostic laparoscopy. Although biopsies are more invasive than imaging tests, doctors rely on them to make a confident diagnosis.
Diagnosing Peritoneal Mesothelioma Stage
Peritoneal mesothelioma is not staged using the typical Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) cancer staging system because it advances in an unusual way, often remaining in the abdomen instead of spreading to other parts of the body.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is instead classified as early or advanced.
Getting a Second Opinion
Because peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare cancer, even an experienced oncologist can misdiagnose it — which could delay or eliminate the possibility of curative treatment.
If you have any questions about your diagnosis, it’s critical to get a second opinion from a specialized mesothelioma doctor.
We can help you find a specialist near you — call us today at (877) 449-6583 for assistance.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Prognosis
A mesothelioma prognosis describes the way the cancer is likely to progress and is dependent on factors such as age, mesothelioma cell type, cancer stage, and available treatment options.
Peritoneal mesothelioma has the best survival rate of all mesothelioma types. Patients who are treated with chemotherapy alone have an average life expectancy of 12 months. However, patients who receive surgery plus heated chemotherapy may live for 5 years or more.
In most cases, the most effective way to improve your prognosis is through early detection and prompt treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, consult your doctor and talk to them about your history of asbestos exposure.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma treatment may be used to increase survival time (curative treatment) or to decrease symptoms (palliative treatment). The standard treatment options for peritoneal mesothelioma are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Surgery
Mesothelioma surgery is generally the most effective form of treatment for increasing life expectancy. For patients who are eligible, the most common surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).
Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC has 2 parts:
- Cytoreduction: Doctors open a patient’s peritoneal cavity and surgically remove as much visible cancer as possible. This procedure is also called debulking.
- HIPEC: Before closing the abdomen, doctors apply heated chemotherapy directly to the area.
When surgeons are able to remove nearly all visible peritoneal mesothelioma tumors through cytoreduction, patients have a median survival of 56 months. Those who received a partial resection (removal) of tumors lived for an average of 7 months after surgery.
Additionally, cytoreduction with HIPEC is typically most effective for patients with the epithelioid cell type. Their median survival after surgery is roughly 5 times longer than that of patients with sarcomatoid or biphasic cell type.
Chemotherapy and Radiation
Peritoneal mesothelioma patients who cannot undergo cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC may turn to traditional chemotherapy both to extend their lives and reduce their symptoms.
Radiation therapy is generally not used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma because of the many abdominal organs that could be damaged by the high-energy treatment beams.
Palliative Treatment
Palliative treatment helps decrease pain and discomfort and increase quality of life. Palliative treatment options for peritoneal mesothelioma include standard chemotherapy, alternative therapies, and paracentesis, which involves draining excess fluid from the abdomen.
Clinical Trials
Through clinical trials, patients with peritoneal mesothelioma can access emerging treatments that may help them if traditional treatment options are not effective or available.
Emerging treatments for peritoneal mesothelioma include:
- Anti-angiogenesis
- Chemotherapy drug advancements
- Gene therapy
- Immunotherapy
Talk to your mesothelioma doctor to determine your eligibility for participating in a clinical trial.
Find Support After a Peritoneal Mesothelioma Diagnosis
The total estimated cost for mesothelioma treatment is around $400,000-$600,000. That said, victims and their families have many financial support options for their treatment expenses.
Learn more about compensation options that may be available to patients with peritoneal mesothelioma by clicking the icons below.
Following a cancer diagnosis, the high costs of care shouldn’t be an additional burden. Claim Advocates at Mesothelioma Claim Center are available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide support and resources, contact us today.
Easier Than It May Seem
Your individual situation may merit an actual lawsuit. However, it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Trusts have been set up to benefit victims of mesothelioma in such a way that lawsuits and court appearances aren’t needed. Contact us today and you’ll see how easy it can be to get the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file a mesothelioma claim?
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma – as well as their spouse, child, or family member – may be able to file a claim to recover compensation from manufacturers of asbestos products. If the mesothelioma patient passes away, a family member or estate representative may also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
How much money is in the asbestos trust fund?
An estimated $30 billion has been set aside in asbestos trust funds to compensate mesothelioma patients. Many companies that made asbestos products later filed for bankruptcy, so they created these trust funds to pay out future mesothelioma claims. If the company responsible for your asbestos exposure no longer exists, you may be entitled to money from their trust fund.
How do I file a mesothelioma claim?
To file a mesothelioma claim, contact an attorney who is experienced with these types of lawsuits. They will know where and when to file your claim, how to build the strongest case possible, and the best way to maximize compensation on your behalf.
What is the statute of limitations on mesothelioma claims?
The statute of limitations (deadline to file) for mesothelioma claims will vary depending on the state in which you file. In many states, it’s 2-3 years from the date of the mesothelioma diagnosis – though it may be longer if the mesothelioma patient has passed away. A mesothelioma lawyer can make sure your claim is filed within the required time frame.
How long do mesothelioma claims take?
Every mesothelioma claim is different, with circumstances and factors that are unique to that mesothelioma patient’s story. Though there’s no way to predict exactly how long a claim will take, an experienced mesothelioma attorney will ensure the process is handled as efficiently as possible.
Many claimants start to receive compensation in as few as 90 days after settling their mesothelioma claims.
What is the average payout for mesothelioma?
There is no guarantee of compensation when you file a mesothelioma claim, and countless factors affect how much money you might be able to recover (assuming your case settles). That said, 95% of these lawsuits are settled out of court, and the average settlement amount is $1-1.4 million.
How much is my mesothelioma claim worth?
Your mesothelioma case value depends on the specifics of your situation, such as the duration of your asbestos exposure, and the total cost of your mesothelioma treatment (as well as travel expenses and other related losses). The best way to figure out how much your claim is worth is to speak with a mesothelioma lawyer.
What type of mesothelioma claim do I have?
Most mesothelioma claims fall under one of four categories:
- Personal injury: You were exposed to asbestos (often through your job, or your loved one’s), so you file a lawsuit against the company that made the asbestos products.
- Asbestos trust fund: Similar to a personal injury claim, only the company in question went bankrupt, so you can’t sue them – but you may be able to access a trust fund they set aside for mesothelioma victims.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: U.S. military veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service may qualify for related health care benefits through the VA.
- Wrongful death: When a mesothelioma patient passes away, their family member or estate representative may be able to file a lawsuit on their behalf, seeking money to pay for past medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, etc.
A mesothelioma attorney can determine which type of claim makes the most sense for you and your family. (Some clients qualify for more than one.)
