The Lungs and Pleural Regions of Pleural Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is less frequent than pleural mesothelioma, but both these typically malignant mesotheliomas can be just like tragic. Peritoneal mesothelioma begins from the abdominal cavity, rather than the lungs and pleural regions of pleural mesothelioma. "Peritoneal" means it has to do with the peritoneum, and that is a membrane that surrounds the abdominal area. "Pleural" is the pleura which is a membrane that surrounds the lungs. Also there is a "pericardial" mesothelioma which targets and also the membrane first.The lungs, abdominal area and heart all have a membrane made up of mesothelial cells, named the mesothelium. A cancerous attack of these membrane areas are mesotheliomas. Asbestos is the cause of peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma in well over 90% with the cases.

There are a few rare recorded cases of malignant mesothelioma when asbestos exposure was not identified. If you have been exposed to asbestos, there is a high chance you will experience an asbestos-caused disease just like asbestosis or pleural plaques. However, not all asbestos-caused diseases are fatal.Peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma may be fatal malignant mesotheliomas which spread uncontrollably, or they can be benign, once the tumor stays where it is and can likely be removed. Unexplainable fat loss is a mesothelioma symptom which can happens to as many as 90% of benign and malignant mesothelioma. Generally, benign mesothelioma is likely to show less symptoms than malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma for peritoneal mesothelioma almost always includes abdominal pain. This is because there is certainly excess fluid between the peritoneal membrane and the abdomen walls. Pleural mesothelioma has excess fluid inside the pleural area which causes shortness of breath and heart problems.


The mesothelioma symptoms of pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma usually are not as outwardly visible as the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. In peritoneal mesothelioma, the abdomen can be displayed larger. Tumor masses may be visible, but external tumor visibility only occur in a minority of peritoneal mesothelioma cases. Nausea the type of mesothelioma symptom with peritoneal mesothelioma, and the abdominal area can also be very tender.In the healthy peritoneal area between membrane and the wall, the peritoneal fluid helps the intestines move food. In peritoneal mesothelioma however, excess fluid causes bowel obstruction. The mesothelioma symptoms of extra fluid and bowel obstruction both contribute to abdominal pain. The bowel obstruction could also produce mesothelioma symptoms of constipation and diarrhea. Many peritoneal malignant mesothelioma patients have reported mesothelioma symptoms of a burning sensation in the abdomen. Mesothelioma symptoms for peritoneal malignant mesothelioma may not surface for 20-30 years after asbestos exposure, but it generally surfaces sooner than pleural mesothelioma.


Peritoneal mesothelioma is fortunately rare, however its rarity sometimes causes it to be harder to identify. The symptoms are similar to hernias and gall bladder problems, and identifying peritoneal mesothelioma in a CT scan is difficult. The medical industry is aware that asbestos-related diseases is going to be escalating on the upcoming years, and treatment for peritoneal malignant mesothelioma is undergoing many clinical trials. If you have been exposed to asbestos and have unexplainable abdominal pain and are experiencing unexplained weight loss, begin preliminary testing for peritoneal mesothelioma. The earlier the testing begins, the higher the chances for symptomatic relief, and hopefully today's mesothelioma many studies will lead to a mesothelioma cure in the future.