Peritoneal mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma, also known as cancer of the peritoneum, is a cancer of the abdominal lining. The disease is not nearly as common as pleural mesothelioma; only 25 to 30 percent of mesothelioma cases originate in the peritoneum. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are caused when the peritoneal membrane thickens and fluid builds up between membrane layers. The thickening and excess fluid put pressure on the entire abdominal region and organs.


Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms commonly include:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation
• Lumps of tissue under the skin in the abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood clotting abnormalities
• Anemia
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hernia