We Know Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma could be mistaken for an ulcer

On Behalf of | Aug 7, 2020 | Mesothelioma |

There are multiple types of mesothelioma. One is known as peritoneal, as it forms in the abdomen’s lining, which is known as the peritoneum. This is lower than other organs which can sometimes be impacted, such as the lungs, but that does not make this cancer any less dangerous. It can still be deadly and prompt treatment is needed. 

One thing that sometimes prevents prompt treatment is when a doctor makes a mistake and believes that the patient has another condition, such as an ulcer. This can delay the treatment and allow the cancer to spread. When you look at the symptoms, though, you can see why the mistake happens. Here are the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Unexplained weight loss

And, of the sake of comparison, here are some of the symptoms of a stomach ulcer:

  • Weight loss
  • Stomach pain
  • Bloating
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting
  • Dark, tarry stools

These are not all of the potential symptoms, but you can see how closely related they are. Is bloating something that could be mistaken for swelling? Is the difference between abdominal pain and stomach pain all that great? What is really causing your vomiting or nausea? Doctors make mistakes because symptoms closely resemble each other and they may err on the side of the more common ailment, even if that is not the correct diagnosis. 

You can see how complicated these medical cases can get. If you do have mesothelioma and you believe it stems from asbestos exposure, it’s crucial that you understand all of the legal options you have