This Week's Top Stories About Mesothelioma Claim Mesothelioma Claim
Mesothelioma Claims A mesothelioma lawsuit can allow victims to receive compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws called statutes of limitations limit how long a victim is required to bring a lawsuit. Personal injury or wrongful death are the most frequent types of lawsuits. Juries award monetary damages which include both economic and non-economic damages. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare condition and it can take a number of years before patients be diagnosed. In the majority of cases, patients visit their primary physician with symptoms and medical history. Doctors will perform an examination of the body and inquire about asbestos exposure. When doctors suspect mesothelioma they often request imaging tests. These include chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests provide a detailed examination of the body. They can reveal the accumulation of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a common mesothelioma symptom. These tests can be used to determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma type that is pleural is caused by cancer cells that line the lung known as the pleura. The peritoneal form is caused by cancerous cells in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will remove a small amount of tissue from the affected area or tumor and examine it under a microscope to look for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors may also perform the cytology test to look for the presence of cancerous cells in the fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach. A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount of mesothelin soluble protein (SMRP) in the body of the patient. The presence of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma. This is why biomarkers can be beneficial in diagnosing mesothelioma in its earliest stages. However, it is not a substitute for a mesothelioma biopsy, which is the only reliable method to determine if cancer is present in the body. Doctors can conduct a non-surgical biopsy to collect fluid from the pleura and the stomach using a needle. They then analyze it for mesothelioma cells. Symptoms Mesothelioma may occur in any part of the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to develop. The most frequent locations are the abdomen, lungs and heart. People who have pleural mesothelioma experience pain in the chest region, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. People who have mesothelioma of the pericardial or peritoneal region feel pain in their abdominal region as well as weight loss and fatigue. Mesothelioma symptoms can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic those of other common diseases. It could take a long time after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow. X-rays and CT scans can show changes in the lungs, such as the pleura getting thicker or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans are also used to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to detect elevated levels of certain substances that could be indicative of mesothelioma. A doctor can remove the tissue or fluid to look for cancerous cells. The doctor may also perform the procedure known as the thoracoscopic needle aspiration procedure to remove a small amount of fluid from around the lungs or thoracic cavity. This test is a less painful version of a biopsy and can be performed in the office of a doctor. If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, he or she may suggest surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to kill the cancerous cells and stop their spread. Radiation therapy can be performed in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is usually given outpatient. The use of palliative therapy is commonly to alleviate pain and other symptoms. It could include painkillers as well as regular drainage of fluids, tubes placed in the chest to help with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from becoming larger. frisco mesothelioma lawyer For people diagnosed with mesothelioma or other cancers, treatment can help alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. Treatment options vary depending on the mesothelioma's type and stage. The treatment plan will depend on the level of asbestos exposure the patient has. The symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as many other illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease early. Patients may be suffering from symptoms for months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma. To diagnose the illness, doctors will perform an examination and ask about past exposure to asbestos. They will follow up with scans of the blood and imaging to determine the extent of the cancer and the location in the body. The most common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. This affects the lungs. Most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as welders or electrician or in the auto industry. A buildup of fluid can lead to chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can help remove excess fluid, improving the quality of life of a patient. Pleurodesis is yet another procedure doctors can employ to stop future fluid accumulation in the lung. During this procedure it is the procedure of inserting a tube into the pleura to drain the fluid and then medicine is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients can also opt to use a shunt which is a device that is used to move fluid from one part of the body to another for absorption. Chemotherapy and radiation are also options. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells directly by killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy rays. Patients who aren't candidates for surgery may undergo targeted therapy, which targets the cancer-causing genes within the cancer cells. Prognosis The prognosis of mesothelioma can be affected by a variety of factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the location and general health condition of the patient. The prognosis for mesothelioma can improve when patients seek treatment from a seasoned specialist in mesothelioma treatment and follow their treatment plan. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who are part of clinical trials may be eligible for new treatments still under study. The mesothelioma symptoms are similar to many other conditions. This leads to many incorrect diagnosis. Patients may experience abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms before they are diagnosed. These symptoms are initialy mild and may be easily confused with other illnesses. Therefore, it's important to get any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma), peritoneum, or in rare instances, the testicles' lining can be affected by mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for most mesothelioma cases. It accounts for 85 percent of all diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old. The survival rates for mesothelioma differ between women and men. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women as they tend to work in industries where asbestos is prevalent. However women who have been exposed to mesothelioma have twice as likely to live beyond five years as male patients. This is probably due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis of an individual is also affected by their age, as older patients have a more difficult time recovering from illnesses. It's also important to note that some mesothelioma patients live for years or even a decade past their initial prognoses. Compensation Mesothelioma compensation is a way to help victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses related to the asbestos-related disease. Mesothelioma settlements are usually granted by amalgamating asbestos trust funds, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will help you determine what compensation is available to you in your case. Mesothelioma patients can bring a personal injury lawsuit for financial compensation from manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to while at work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed on behalf of a victim's loved one or family member, or by an appointed representative by the court. The estate of a victim's loved ones who died of mesothelioma can file a wrongful-death lawsuit to recover compensation from the parties responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure. Because it can take years from diagnosis to exposure, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma have significant financial obligations resulting from treatment. Mesothelioma settlements can help patients of the disease pay off their debts and provide for their families' future. Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate the victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma lawyer can help victims and families receive the compensation they deserve. A skilled mesothelioma law firm can handle all aspects of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim, making the process as easy as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law, our attorneys have secured over $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements for victims and their families. Contact us today for no-cost review of your mesothelioma claim. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet with you in your home or hospital. Our law firm will only be paid if we receive compensation.