Research Shows Why You Should Have Peritoneal Mesothelioma Surgery – Mesothelioma Guide

Researchers and medical experts often compare pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. One of the most striking differences? Prognosis, as peritoneal mesothelioma carries much better odds of prolonged survival.

Most peritoneal survival stories involve one consistency: aggressive surgery, which a recent study confirmed.

The Annals of Surgical Oncology published a report that includes analysis of peritoneal mesothelioma survival trends. The focus is on survival after aggressive, potentially life-saving surgery compared to survival without surgery.

The results showed a staggering yet unsurprising difference. Its the strongest evidence in support of newly diagnosed peritoneal mesothelioma patients undergoing surgery right away.

The primary surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is cytoreduction. This operation involves debulking, or physically removing all visible tumors from the disease area. Surgeons also perform a peritonectomy, which requires removing the thin lining where this cancer forms.

This lining, called the peritoneum, wraps around your abdominal cavity. It includes two walls of mesothelial cells. Their primary function is to protect essential cavities and organs in the abdomen. While helpful, this lining is not critical to continued good health or high quality of life.

Following cytoreduction, most peritoneal mesothelioma patients undergo hyperthermic (heated) intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This therapy, shortened to the acronym HIPEC, involves bathing the abdomen in warm liquid chemotherapy drugs. The treatment addresses remaining tumors in the abdomen and reduces the chances of mesothelioma recurrence.

Cytoreduction with HIPEC lasts 8-14 hours, depending on the extent of the cancer. Patients remain in inpatient care for 10-12 days following the procedure.

From 2003-2014, the National Cancer Database registered 2,062 malignant peritoneal mesothelioma cases. The term malignant means the case is cancerous and actively spreading.

Of those 2,062 patients:

Using systemic chemotherapy after cytoreduction with HIPEC improved the median mesothelioma survival to 41.8 months.

These statistics are not new revelations. For years, peritoneal mesothelioma specialists have vouched for cytoreduction with HIPEC. In an older study, around 55% of cytoreduction with HIPEC patients survived for at least three years.

Mesothelioma Guide has documented numerous survivor stories from peritoneal mesothelioma:

As the stats show, others have survived peritoneal mesothelioma thanks to aggressive surgery. We at Mesothelioma Guide can refer you to other mesothelioma survival stories. If you have peritoneal mesothelioma, then we can help you become the next story of hope.

Reach out to our patient advocate and registered nurse, Jenna Campagna, to get a list of all cancer centers and doctors that perform peritoneal mesothelioma surgery. Please email her at jenna@mesotheliomaguide.com whenever youre ready.

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Devin Golden is the content writer for Mesothelioma Guide. He produces mesothelioma-related content on various mediums, including the Mesothelioma Guide website and social media channels. Devin's objective is to translate complex information regarding mesothelioma into informative, easily absorbable content to help patients and their loved ones.

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