Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneum, after asbestos exposure. Common symptoms include abdominal swelling, pain, and appetite loss. We can help U.S. veterans with peritoneal mesothelioma access military benefits, treatment, and compensation after a diagnosis.
What Is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the abdominal lining. It accounts for 10-15% of all mesothelioma cases in the United States, making it the second-most common type of this cancer.
Veterans run the risk of peritoneal mesothelioma since all branches of the U.S. military relied on asbestos-containing products to build bases, ships, and vehicles up through the early 1980s.
Key Facts About Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- The average life expectancy is 53 months with treatment, which is the highest of any type.
- Up to 450 cases of peritoneal mesothelioma cancer are diagnosed per year in the U.S.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is more common in women than men, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center. - U.S. veterans typically develop peritoneal mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing materials during military service and civilian occupations.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has fellow veterans, VA-accredited attorneys, and registered nurses on staff ready to assist U.S. veterans and families facing peritoneal mesothelioma.
“Veterans across the country are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma every year through no fault of their own. I can help affected veterans access VA benefits and get support to cope following this diagnosis.”
— Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret), VA-accredited attorney & Marine Corps veteran
Get a Free Veterans Packet and learn how we can help you access VA benefits, treatments, and compensation for peritoneal mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms have a long latency period, typically appearing 10-50 years after exposure to asbestos fibers.
One of the most common symptoms is fluid buildup in the abdominal lining, known as peritoneal effusion or ascites. Over 60% of new peritoneal mesothelioma patients have ascites, according to The Annals of Translational Medicine.
Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling or girth
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Blood clotting issues
- Bowel changes (constipation and diarrhea)
- Breathing difficulties
- Constantly feeling full
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Lump or mass in abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
Many of these symptoms stem from ascites, including abdominal pain, swelling, weight loss, and digestive issues.
"I had a big weight loss in just a few months. After I ate, I was so uncomfortable and very bloated. I was tired all the time. I had the sweats."
– Mary Jane Williams, 15-year peritoneal mesothelioma survivor
Abdominal mesothelioma symptoms are often vague at first and could be mistaken for gastrointestinal problems like colitis, diverticulitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Due to this, it’s key to seek out a peritoneal mesothelioma specialist to avoid a delayed or inaccurate diagnosis.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Causes
Peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by breathing in or swallowing asbestos fibers. After these fibers enter the body, they can travel to the abdomen and become stuck in the peritoneum.
Asbestos fibers can remain in the lining of the abdomen for decades, causing long-term irritation. This damages the DNA of healthy mesothelial cells and causes cancer tumors to grow.
Other issues like BAP1 gene mutations or exposure to erionite, thorium dioxide, or radiation have been explored as possible causes, but there is no definitive proof for any of these. Asbestos remains the only known cause of peritoneal mesothelioma to date.
Millions of service members worked with products containing asbestos every day without knowing the risks, which the manufacturers hid. After serving, they often faced exposure in blue-collar civilian jobs like construction. This is why abdominal mesothelioma rates are high among U.S. veterans today.
Risk Factors for Mesothelioma Abdominal Cancer
Only asbestos causes peritoneal mesothelioma, but factors like when, where, and for how long someone was exposed influence the odds of getting sick.
Risk factors for developing peritoneal mesothelioma include:
- Handling asbestos at job sites: Those in the shipbuilding, mining, milling, automotive, manufacturing, construction, plumbing, and roofing industries could have been exposed to asbestos every day on worksites.
- Serving in the military before the early 1980s: All branches of the military used asbestos prior to this time in bases, vehicles, and Navy ships, making exposure likely.
- Living with someone who worked with asbestos: This could lead to secondary exposure as the worker could bring fibers home with them on hair or clothing.
If you or someone you love worked with or around asbestos, you could be in danger of peritoneal mesothelioma today. As a result, it’s important to stay on top of your health and promptly see a doctor if you’re concerned about this cancer.
Major Nelson is here to answer any questions you have about peritoneal mesothelioma, military asbestos risks, VA benefits, and more. Ask him your mesothelioma questions now.
Diagnosis of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Doctors must follow specific steps to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, starting with basic tests and studying a biopsy sample to know for sure.
Steps to make a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis include:
- Initial tests: Doctors will take note of your symptoms, overall health, and any history of asbestos exposure. They may also recommend blood tests to check for higher levels of proteins that could be signs of mesothelioma.
- Imaging scans: An X-ray, MRI, or CT scan of the abdomen may help reveal tumors or potential signs of cancer, like ascites.
- Biopsy: During a biopsy, doctors remove a sample of tissue or fluid from a mass and check to see if cancer cells are present. Doctors can take a biopsy using different options, including a laparoscopy (a thin tube with a camera attached), guided biopsy (where a CT scan helps determine where to remove the sample), and more.
A biopsy is the only way to confirm an abdominal mesothelioma diagnosis. Once doctors know for sure that you have mesothelioma, they can then recommend treatments to help ease symptoms and potentially allow you to live longer.
“Peritoneal mesothelioma is a serious disease, but if it is diagnosed early and treated aggressively, there can be positive outcomes.”
– Dr. Daniel Labow, peritoneal mesothelioma specialist
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cell Types
There are three mesothelioma cell types, and each affects a patient’s health outlook in different ways. Doctors can determine which cell type is present when studying a biopsy.
Mesothelioma cell types are:
- Epithelioid peritoneal mesothelioma: This is the most common type. Epithelial mesothelioma cells are cube-shaped and stick together, making this type easier to treat.
- Sarcomatoid peritoneal mesothelioma: This is the rarest cell type. Spindle-shaped sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells spread quickly and respond poorly to treatment.
- Biphasic peritoneal mesothelioma: This type occurs when a patient’s tumors contain both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. Patients have better health outcomes if more epithelioid cells are in a biphasic mesothelioma tumor.
Peritoneal mesothelioma doctors can recommend the best treatments depending on which cell type you have and how far the cancer has spread at the time of diagnosis.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Staging
There is no official staging system for peritoneal mesothelioma because it’s very rare. However, doctors typically consider peritoneal mesothelioma to be in a localized or advanced stage depending on the cancer’s spread.
Some doctors have also proposed using the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) to stage this cancer. With the PCI, cancer spread is “scored.” A greater score means a higher stage.
The 4 peritoneal mesothelioma stages under the PCI are:
- Stage 1: score of 1-10, no average survival time given
- Stage 2: score of 11-20, average survival of 67 months
- Stage 3: score of 21-30, average survival of 56 months
- Stage 4: score of 31-39, average survival of 26 months
No matter how far your cancer has spread, experienced peritoneal mesothelioma doctors can recommend treatments to help you live as long as possible and relieve symptoms.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Prognosis
Peritoneal mesothelioma has a favorable prognosis (overall health outlook) compared to other types of this cancer.
The average peritoneal mesothelioma prognosis is nearly 4 and a half years if patients qualify for the most effective treatments. In some cases, peritoneal mesothelioma patients have lived for 20 years or more if diagnosed early and treated at expert cancer facilities.
“We've made a lot of progress in terms of our ability to diagnose this cancer and to put together treatments that can allow people to live with a good quality of life for an extended period of time.”
– Dr. H. Richard Alexander, peritoneal mesothelioma specialist & U.S. Navy veteran
Learn how doctors measure peritoneal mesothelioma prognosis below.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Life Expectancy
Peritoneal mesothelioma has a favorable life expectancy, with patients living for 53 months (nearly 4 and a half years) on average after receiving cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC).
In some cases, treatments like cytoreduction with HIPEC have allowed peritoneal mesothelioma patients to live for decades.
Get our Free Veterans Packet now to learn more about treatment options that may help you live longer with peritoneal mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survival Rate
Survival rate measures the percentage of patients still living after a specific time. The average 5-year peritoneal mesothelioma survival rate is 65%, according to Moffitt Cancer Center.
When patients get cytoreduction with HIPEC and additional chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rate reaches 80%, according to The Journal of Clinical Haematology.
You could even potentially outlive the average peritoneal mesothelioma survival rates with treatment.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment
Doctors use different types of treatments to help peritoneal mesothelioma patients live as long as possible, most notably cytoreduction with HIPEC. Learn about top peritoneal mesothelioma treatment options that could work for you or a loved one.
Cytoreduction With HIPEC
Cytoreduction with HIPEC is arguably the most effective treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma, allowing doctors to remove as much of the cancer as possible.
Cytoreduction with HIPEC combines:
- Surgery: Mesothelioma surgeons remove tumors from the patient’s abdominal cavity, as well as the lining of the abdomen.
- Heated chemotherapy: Doctors apply hyperthermic interthoracic chemotherapy (HIPEC) to the surgery site to kill any leftover cancer cells.
Peritoneal mesothelioma patients typically live for over 4 years with this treatment, with some living even longer.
“For patients referred very early, I would say we are successful nearly 100% of the time. We can get a complete cytoreduction with the primary cancer resection, removing the peritoneal metastases and using HIPEC. We can almost promise those patients that they will not have further peritoneal metastases.”
—Dr. Paul Sugarbaker, retired mesothelioma specialist
Other Peritoneal Mesothelioma Surgeries
If cytoreduction with HIPEC isn’t an option, doctors may still be able to use other surgeries to help patients live longer.
Additional peritoneal mesothelioma surgeries include:
- Bowel resection: This procedure removes parts of the intestines affected by advanced cancer.
- Peritonectomy: Also called debulking, this operation removes the lining of the abdomen. It’s performed as part of cytoreduction with HIPEC but can also be used by itself.
- Organ removal: This involves surgery to remove any nonessential abdominal organs affected by cancer, like the spleen and kidneys.
Doctors can determine which peritoneal mesothelioma surgeries will be best for you when developing a treatment plan.
Chemotherapy
If cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC isn’t an option, doctors may use systemic chemotherapy to treat peritoneal mesothelioma patients. Different chemotherapy drugs can be given intravenously (through an IV) or orally.
Chemotherapy drugs for peritoneal mesothelioma include:
- Alimta® (pemetrexed)
- Carboplatin
- Cisplatin
- Gemzar® (gemcitabine)
Doctors can also use additional chemotherapy treatments to boost the effectiveness of cytoreduction with HIPEC.
Patient survival times increased by 48% when they received chemotherapy after cytoreduction with HIPEC, according to The Annals of Surgical Oncology.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses beams of energy to shrink and destroy mesothelioma tumors. Doctors typically use peritoneal mesothelioma radiation as a pain-relieving option, according to The Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system find and destroy cancer tumors. It is only available to peritoneal mesothelioma patients in clinical trials, which are studying how it can improve survival.
Doctors used immunotherapy and cytoreduction with HIPEC to treat peritoneal mesothelioma in a recent trial. This combination was safe and effective, with some patients still cancer-free nearly 3 years later, according to The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
Doctors continue to study new and potentially more effective ways of treating peritoneal mesothelioma through clinical trials.
Peritoneal mesothelioma treatments being investigated include:
- Gene therapy: Modifies genes so mesothelioma can more easily be destroyed
- Photodynamic therapy: Using medications that make mesothelioma easier to kill when exposed to a light source
- Targeted therapy: Helps to destroy cancer while doing less damage to healthy parts of the body
A recent study from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center used several targeted therapies to treat peritoneal mesothelioma. Tumors shrank in 40% of patients, and 85% were still alive a year after treatment started.
Palliative Care for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Palliative care is pain-relieving treatment for mesothelioma. Doctors can use mesothelioma palliative care alongside standard treatments to help patients have a better quality of life.
Types of mesothelioma palliative care options include:
- Paracentesis (draining peritoneal effusions)
- Medications to help ease discomfort
- Minor surgeries
Palliative care may also be the main treatment a peritoneal mesothelioma patient receives, depending on how advanced the cancer is.
Get our Free Veterans Packet for more information about peritoneal mesothelioma treatments that could help you or a loved one.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Specialists
Peritoneal mesothelioma specialists across the country treat veterans and civilians every day. By working with them, you can get the expert care needed to live as long as possible.
Top peritoneal mesothelioma doctors include:
Dr. Eugene Choi
- Houston, TX
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
- Associate Professor of Surgery
Dr. Daniel Labow
- Danbury, CT
- Nuvance Health Praxair Cancer Center
- Chair of Surgical Services
Dr. James Pingpank
- Pittsburg, PA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
- Gastrointestinal Surgery Division Director
Dr. H. Richard Alexander
- New Brunswick, NJ
- Rutgers Cancer Institute
- Chief of Surgical Oncology & U.S. Navy veteran
Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler
- Chicago, IL
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Mesothelioma Program Director
Dr. Mecker Moller
- Chicago, IL
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Director, Regional Therapies Program
VA Benefits and Compensation for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Veterans with peritoneal mesothelioma often qualify for many benefits offered by the VA. They may also be able to secure additional compensation through the legal system.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center’s experienced team can help you or a loved one pursue maximum VA benefits and compensation right now. We guide you through the process, making it much easier and less stressful.
Work with our team to access:
- VA benefits: The VA offers 100% disability compensation worth $4,158.17 a month to married veterans with mesothelioma. Veterans can also get free or low-cost medical treatment through VA health care. Major Nelson can help you file for or increase your VA benefits now.
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: Asbestos legal claims award $1 million or more on average. Our peritoneal mesothelioma attorneys can help you file a lawsuit with ease, if eligible. No legal action is taken against the government or military, and you can still file for VA benefits.
- Asbestos trust funds: These funds were established by manufacturers of asbestos-containing products to avoid lawsuits. There’s over $30 billion set aside in trusts, and our partner attorneys can help you file claims right now.
It’s important for veterans with peritoneal mesothelioma to explore their financial options. Treating this disease can cost $400,000 or more, which may be overwhelming for many families. The options outlined above can offset these costs.
“My dad died unlawfully due to peritoneal mesothelioma. I appreciate what our law firm was able to do for us, and that they help those diagnosed to gain more life with their loved ones.”
– Jeff Ambrose, son of an Army veteran & peritoneal mesothelioma patient
Contact us now for help pursuing VA benefits and compensation after a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis.
We’re Here to Help Veterans With Peritoneal Mesothelioma
U.S. veterans were put at risk of peritoneal mesothelioma through no fault of their own. While peritoneal mesothelioma is devastating, it’s possible for you or a veteran you love to fight back.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is ready to assist veterans and their families in securing the VA benefits, compensation, and justice they deserve.
Work with our team to:
- Access maximum VA benefits
- Find top doctors and treatments
- Pursue legal compensation worth $1 million+
- Receive support as you navigate a diagnosis
Our veterans advocates will do all they can to help you and your loved ones.
Call (877) 450-8973 now or request a Free Veterans Packet, shipped overnight to your door, to get started.
Abdominal Mesothelioma FAQs
What is the survival rate for peritoneal mesothelioma?
The 5-year survival rate for peritoneal mesothelioma is 65%, as noted by Moffitt Cancer Center. This means that more than 6 out of 10 patients are still living 5 years later.
When peritoneal mesothelioma patients are treated using cytoreduction with HIPEC and additional chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rate can be as high as 80%.
What is HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma?
HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma involves applying heated chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery. It washes through the surgery site to kill microscopic cancer cells. This helps doctors to ensure that as much of the cancer as possible is destroyed.
Patients typically live 4 and a half years when they undergo cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC. Veterans with peritoneal mesothelioma can access this treatment from both veteran and civilian specialists across the country.
How do people get peritoneal mesothelioma?
People get peritoneal mesothelioma from breathing in or swallowing asbestos fibers. The fibers get trapped in the body and trigger the growth of cancer tumors. Veterans run a high risk of peritoneal mesothelioma due to widespread military asbestos use.
“When a veteran has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, they need to know there is support for them,” says Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret), a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and VA-accredited attorney. “We’re able to provide them with medical information, file for VA disability benefits, and make sure their family is taken care of.”
Contact us now for help pursuing VA benefits, treatments, and compensation if you or a veteran you love has peritoneal mesothelioma.
How long do peritoneal mesothelioma patients live?
Patients with mesothelioma of the peritoneum live for 53 months on average when treated using cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC. Some patients could live even longer.
Julie Gundlach reached 20 years of survivorship in 2026. She underwent multiple cytoreduction with HIPEC treatments, and today her cancer is considered stable. “A mesothelioma diagnosis is something that you carry, and I’ve tried to not let it make me bitter,” she says.
What are five signs and symptoms of mesothelioma?
Five common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are:
- Peritoneal effusion (ascites)
- Abdomen swelling
- Appetite loss
- Constipation
- Weight loss
If you or a U.S. veteran you love was ever exposed to asbestos and now has these symptoms, see a specialist immediately. Experienced mesothelioma doctors can determine if these symptoms are related to this cancer.
What causes peritoneal mesothelioma?
The only known cause of peritoneal mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Other factors could increase your risk of mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos.
For example, if there is a family history of mutations to the BAP1 gene, you’re more likely to develop peritoneal mesothelioma – but only if you're exposed to asbestos.
Other possible causes, like radiation and erionite exposure, have been debunked and do not actually lead to peritoneal mesothelioma.
What are the final stages of peritoneal mesothelioma?
In the final stages of a peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis, tumors have spread through the abdominal cavity. Symptoms such as nausea, pain, and weight loss can all worsen in the later stages.
Doctors may not be able to use major life-extending surgeries to treat late-stage peritoneal mesothelioma. Still, options like chemotherapy and pain-relieving options may help patients have a better quality of life.
Call (877) 450-8973 now for help getting treatments and other resources if you or a veteran you love is facing late-stage peritoneal mesothelioma.
Is peritoneal mesothelioma curable?
There is no known cure for peritoneal mesothelioma at this time, but treatments like cytoreduction with HIPEC can help patients live longer.
In some cases, patients may live for 20 years or more with the right treatments. These patients are known as mesothelioma survivors.
How do I find a peritoneal mesothelioma attorney?
Contact us now to find a peritoneal mesothelioma lawyer near you. We have VA-accredited mesothelioma lawyers in our network who can help you file for VA benefits and access additional compensation through the legal system.
There is no upfront cost to work with our lawyers, and no legal action is taken against any military branches or the government.
