The Challenges of Diagnosing Mesothelioma
The case of a 67-year-old man complaining of abdominal pain is a sobering example of the challenges of diagnosing malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the body’s internal organs. When mesothelioma grows in the lining of the abdomen, it’s called malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma is generally caused by exposure to asbestos. This exposure usually happens on the job, and it can take years for symptoms to appear. In this case, the elderly man went to the emergency room for help with abdominal pain. This pain had been getting worse over the last month. He was also experiencing shortness of breath and fatigue. After…