Approximately 10-20 percent of the cases of mesothelioma begin in the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesotheliomas). This type of mesothelioma does not respond well to treatment, but is less common than pleural mesothelioma, which affects the membrane covering the lungs.

Since it is difficult to treat, peritoneal mesothelioma often results in an early death. The disease attacks and destroys soft tissue and nearby nerves, causing intense pain to the patient.

The first symptom is abdominal pain. At the initial stage, pain can be eased with analgesics, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Treatment can include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, which are aimed at stopping the spread of the disease and at alleviating the pain.

Another reason why this form of mesothelioma is so hard to treat is that the symptoms are often dormant and surface only after 35-40 years of exposure to asbestos. Peritoneal mesothelioma, like all forms of mesothelioma, is mainly caused by exposure to asbestos over a period of time. Construction workers, their families, and people who live in asbestos-insulated buildings where the asbestos fibers are exposed, are most at risk of contacting mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms may include bowel obstruction; blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.