|
Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdominal Mesothelioma)
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an extremely rare cancer.
Only 100 to 500 cases are diagnosed in the US each year,
making up less than 30% of all mesothelioma cases.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the abdominal
lining, or peritoneum (paira-tin-e-um), which is why is is
sometimes referred to as abdominal mesothelioma. This membrane
supports and covers the organs of the abdomen.
The peritoneum is made of two parts, the visceral and parietal
peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum covers the internal organs
and makes up most of the outer layer of the intestinal tract.
Covering the abdominal cavity is the parietal peritoneum.
Cells in these linings secrete a fluid which allows organs to
move against one another. For instance, as the intestines move
food through the body. The cells of the mesothelium are
designed to create fluid, but the cancer can cause them to
overproduce, creating a build up of excess fluid in the
abdominal cavity.
Because pleural mesothelioma is more common and often spreads
to the peritoneal cavity, it is important to determine if
pleural mesothelioma is the primary cancer.
|
