Developmental Theories of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Development of malignant cells in the lining of the abdomen i.e. the peritoneum is called the Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Peritoneal Mesothelioma constitutes about 10 to 20 % of the diagnosed malignant Mesothelioma cases. Mesothelioma, in general, is more common in men than in women and if a woman is diagnosed with Mesothelioma then it is more likely to be Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
The exact carcinogenic process has not been fully understood till now although asbestos exposure has been concluded to be the ultimate reason behind the development of Carcinoma. The persons working with asbestos inhale the asbestos fibers and these fibers are so durable that these cannot be eliminated or broken down by the body's immune system and are thus held back in the body. These fibers lead to chronic inflammations and fibrosis, which in turn causes calcifications and plagues in the affected tissue which hinder the proper functioning of the peritoneum. The condition becomes worse when these fibers cause malignancy in the peritoneal tissue and this becomes known by the name of Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers and the settlement of these fibers in the narrow lining of the lungs. But how can an asbestos exposure affect the peritoneum? There are three theories which support three different causes. According to the first theory, the inhaled asbestos fibers are broken down into small pieces in the lungs and are carried to the peritoneum by blood circulation. The second theory suggests the possibility of direct ingestion of asbestos fibers in food and drink by the workers of ship yards and factories. This also explains the increased number of Mesothelioma cases in the worker classes. As per the third theory, the asbestos fibers are carried via the lymphatic system to the peritoneum.
Since this disease is on the rise in US and especially in New York, so extensive researches are being conducted to stop its proliferation.