Diseases Cancer

Symptoms And Treatments Of Peritoneal Cancer

Published at 03/12/2012 12:52:26

Introduction

People are having different medical conditions and knowledge of the particulars is not known to a great majority. It is not surprising to find that someone is critically ill of a condition he is not aware of as some of these cases have been reported before. Peritoneal cancer is a condition characterized by the growth of cancerous cells that line the peritoneum. This part of the body is whose reported cases are not very common but they do exist. Peritoneal cancer can also be confused to be peritoneal mesothelioma that affects thin cells of the abdominal cavity.

History

This medical condition referred to as peritoneal cancer is mostly considered to be in its mild form as primary peritoneal cancer, PPC. The cells that are associated with this cancer have genetic origin related to the ovary and show a trend that is linked to the mesonephric endothelium. Ovarian cancer is therefore quite similar to this condition and in both cases the diagnosis and treatment are done in the same manner. Another similarity of this condition is found in the study of Mullerian epithelium and has a lot to do with the genetic factors. People who have a family history of the disease are at more risk of the disease a compared to those who don’t.

Features

Peritoneal cancer as said before is a disease form that can go unnoticed for a long time being in the asymptomatic mild form. This occurs when this condition is localized at the pelvis on the lower end of the abdomen lining. Cells of the epithelium are thin and it is these cells that charged with lubrication aided by mucosal surface. Sign sand symptoms may be clinically apparent when in the advanced stages of the disease after it has metastasized to other parts of the system. Diagnosis of peritoneal cancer is done by physical examination of the suspected patient and confirmatory tests done by CT scan which is computerized tomography other than other tests like ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, pelvic ultrasound and chest x-ray for general health assessment. When all these have been ascertained and the patient turns positive for peritoneal cancer, appropriate and immediate launch of treatment is recommended. The signs may include pain that is felt more so in the lower part of the abdomen, bloated feeling with general sickness mood, lack of a consistency in the defecation and frequent passing of urine may be realized. There may be sudden body weight gain or loss which is strange to the body owing to the prevailing situation of the patient condition, a feeling of vomiting, loss of appetite and an extended abdomen. Obstruction of the digestive system due to constipation, vaginal bleeding, a feeling of being full in the stomach even with consumption of small amounts of food and passing of watery stool may also be registered. Treatment forms that are available for peritoneal cancer are done by management of the disease, medical intervention and habitual safety measures. Clinically, this situation can be handled by surgically removing the affected part, use of anti cancer drugs as a form of chemotherapy to fight the cancer cells. The other option is the use of high energy radiation to kill cancerous growth in the affected area selectively singling out the body cells.

Tips and comments

Practicing of safe habits to curb cancer like refraining from habits like smoking, overindulgence in alcoholism and other hard drugs is important. Nutrition and proper diet is also advised for an individual recovering from peritoneal cancer.

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