Peritoneal Mesothelioma Causes And Sypmtoms

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare disease. Because of the frequent dissemination of pleural mesothelioma to the peritoneal cavity, one must rule out spread from a primary pleural malignancy as the cause of peritoneal disease.

The widespread progression of malignant cells on peritoneal surfaces results in copious fluid production. The fluid production can be attributed to the retention of a functional property of normal mesothelial cells. In these patients the peritoneal space becomes a free conduit for mesothelioma cells to migrate from place to place. In the production of ascites fluid, the cancer cells provide themselves with a carrier solution to disseminate throughout the abdominal and pelvic spaces.

Clinical symptoms at the time of presentation may include abdominal pain, abdominal mass, increased abdominal girth, distention of the abdomen, ascites (fluid in the abdomen), fever, weight loss, fatigue, anemia and digestive disturbances. Some patients complain of more non-specific symptoms for a number of months prior to a confirmed diagnosis. In a percentage of cases, peritoneal mesothelioma is found incidentally when the patient has sought help for another health problem such as gallbladder, hernia or pelvic mass.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the lining of the lung, known as the pleura) may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1) shortness of breath (dyspnea) - hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and/or coughing up of blood.

2) pleural effusion - a build up of too much fluid between the pleura (linings of the lungs and chest); a pleural effusion may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing (dyspnea), however, many cause no symptoms and are first discovered during the physical examination or seen on a chest x-ray.

3) pain in the chest - may sometimes be felt in upper abdomen, shoulder, or arm.