Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is mesothelioma of the lining of the abdominal cavity, the peritoneum.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the membranes lining the body cavities (mesothelium), the pleura (in the chest) and the peritoneum (in the abdomen). It is strongly associated with exposure to and inhalation of asbestos fibers although cases without a known exposure to asbestos have been reported.

The peritoneum is a rare location for mesothelioma to develop, much less common than pleural mesothelioma. The peritoneum is a thin membrane that covers the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity. It lines many of the abdominal organs such as the intestines as well as the abdominal wall surrounding them.

How the causative asbestos fibers get to the peritoneum in the first place is not well understood. The fibers may be ingested and then pass through the intestines or may travel through lymphatics from the lungs to the peritoneum.