Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Cancer of the peritoneum, also called peritoneal mesothelioma, is a cancer of the abdominal lining. The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include hernia, fluid in the abdominal cavity, stomach pain, nausea, weight loss, vomiting or a mass in the abdomen.

One of the common ways doctors diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma is by investigating within the abdominal cavity, using an instrument called a peritoneoscope. During this procedure, an incision is made through the abdomen wall and the peritoneoscope is placed within the abdomen. This is called a peritoneoscopy and is usually performed in the hospital.

For more information about the diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma, click here.

Some patients may develop excessive fluid within the abdomen. This is known as an effusion or ascites. A doctor may obtain a sample of this fluid to diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma. Fluid in the abdomen may also be drained to relieve the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. The procedure for drawing out this fluid is known as “paracentesis.”