Peritoneal Cancer

Peritoneal Cancer

Peritoneal cancer is a rare disease that sneaks up and hangs around unnoticed by most people until it is a well-developed cancer, when the symptoms begin to show up. The peritoneal cancer is starts in the peritoneum. Peritoneum is the membrane which lines the inside of the abdomen and also all the organs in the abdomen. The organs in the abdomen include the stomach, intestines and the liver.

There is no known cause, although a history of breast cancer in the family may be a warning sign. It is rare in young people and even more rare in men. Certain risk factor such as age is estimated to increase the chance of developing the disease. In some cases peritoneal cancer is predicted to be due to the genetic factor although no evidence is available.

Symptoms

The peritoneal cancer symptoms are general abdominal discomfort and pain, such as gas, indigestion, pressure, swelling, bloating or cramps. Another symptoms may include loss of appetite, feeling full even after a light meal, weight gain or loss with no known reason, abnormal bleeding from the vagina, general abdominal discomfort and pain, such as gas, indigestion, pressure, swelling, bloating or cramps.

If you have one of these symptoms, but have not been diagnosed with this cancer, remember that peritoneal cancer is rare, and your symptom is likely to be due to something else. See your doctor if any symptom persists for more than two weeks.

Prognosis and treatment

Diagnosis of the peritoneal cancer is much the same as with pleural mesothelioma. Your doctor may order such tests as a traditional x-ray or perhaps a more sophisticated test, such as an MRI or CT scan. While the x-rays can provide some answers the doctor may be seeking, he or she will usually order a tissue biopsy in order to make a conclusive diagnosis.

These biopsies take a sample of the tissue around the abdominal cavity, which is then analyzed to determine whether tumors are present. The biopsy can be uncomfortable but is quick and over in just a few minutes.

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