The Cancer Center at Creighton University Medical Center specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Peritoneal Mesothelioma. In fact, 10-25% of all patients in the United States diagnosed with this disease are treated at Creighton University Medical Center.
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Malignant cells develop in the protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Only 100 to 500 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. Symptoms may not appear until 20-30 years after exposure. By the time symptoms do appear and cancer is diagnosed, the disease is often advanced. Many times a patient is given a dismal prognosis by a non-specialist. In general, long term survival has improved during the past decade with earlier detection, enhanced education of health care providers, including radiologists and pathologists, followed by referrals to specialists and improved methods of treatment.
In the United States:
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma is rare and the rate of diagnosis increases with age. Cases diagnosed over the age of 60 years are more severe than those diagnosed at an earlier age.
- Pleural Mesothelioma affects five times more men than women, while peritoneal mesothelioma is equally prevalent in both sexes.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma is less common in African Americans than in White Americans.
- Those who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed have a good chance to continue living a productive life for many additional years. As treatment therapies continue to advance for mesothelioma, we can expect survival rates to continue to improve as well for those recently diagnosed.
Our Expertise
- Our surgical oncologists, oncologists and surgeons are nationally and internationally recognized for their work in developing treatment options for rare cancers
- Dr. Loggie is one of the only physicians in the region to offer Intraperitoneal Hyperthermic Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
- We specialize in the treatment of rare abdominal cancers, including cancers of the appendix (including pseudomyxoma peritonei), lining surface (malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, peritoneal carcinomatosis), liver and pancreas
- Patients travel from nearly every state in the U.S. and around the world to see our specialists
SymptomsSymptoms of Mesothelioma are not necessarily unique to the disease, so diagnosing peritoneal mesothelioma requires more than observation of symptoms. The symptoms are usually not specific and often accompany other less serious medical issues. Most common symptoms may include:
- Ascites (Fluid in the abdomen)
- Pain or swelling in the abdomen
- Weight Loss
- Digestive Disturbances
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Anemia
- Bowel Obstruction
Risk Factors
- Exposure to Asbestos
- History of Pleural Mesothelioma
- Exposure to large doses of radiation
- The combination of tobacco smoking and exposure to asbestos
- In the past, certain x-rays used a material called thorium dioxide. It was later found to cause mesothelioma. Fortunately, it is no longer in use. Zeolite. Zeolite is a natural occurring mineral in the Turkish region, Anatolia. Zeolite is found in the soil and is very similar to asbestos.