The mesothelioma prognosis is determined through physical examination and the results of a number of medical tests designed to evaluate the rare asbestos cancer. Once a mesothelioma prognosis is finally determined, then treating this aggressive and rare cancer can begin. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be difficult to stage because of its rarity. The initial symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are subtle and often ignored. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdomen following asbestos exposure. Patients may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain. Peritoneal mesothelioma, like all types of mesothelioma, is caused by asbestos exposure.
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive tumor derived from the peritoneal mesothelium. Survival is poor for patients with primary peritoneal carcinoma, with 100% mortality; the median survival reported is 12-25 months. Thrombocytosis is common and is associated with a poor prognosis. The second most common form of mesothelioma cancer is peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma can spread to the lungs and when this occurs, it is considered secondary lung cancer. The type of cancer cells can affect the prognosis. It is thought that patients with biphasic mesothelioma cancer cells have a shorter life expectancy, than that for epithelioid.
