This Week's Top Stories About Mesothelioma Claim
Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma lawsuit can aid victims in receiving compensation for their treatment as well as other costs. State laws, called statutes or limitations, restrict the amount of time a patient can make a claim.
Personal injury or wrongful deaths are the most common types of lawsuits. The jury awards monetary damages, which can include economic and noneconomic damage.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare illness and it may take several years before patients be diagnosed. In the majority of cases, patients go to their primary care doctor with complaints and medical history. Doctors will conduct an examination of the body and ask about asbestos exposure.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they will often order imaging tests. This can include chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests provide a detailed analysis of the body. They may show the accumulation of fluid around the lungs or abdomen, which is a typical mesothelioma sign.
These tests can also help determine the type of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type occurs when cancer cells in lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells in the abdominal cavity. In a biopsies performed surgically, doctors will take a sample of tissue from a tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope in order to check for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors will also use the cytology test to look for the presence of cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the stomach or lungs.
A blood test called the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of mesothelin-soluble peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. A high level of this biomarker may indicate the presence of mesothelioma cells.
As a result, biomarkers can be beneficial for doctors trying to diagnose mesothelioma at its earliest stages. However, it is not a substitute for mesothelioma biopsies which is the only definitive way to determine if cancer is present in the body. Doctors can conduct a non-surgical biopsy to extract fluid from the pleura and the stomach with a needle and look it up for mesothelioma cancer cells.
Symptoms
Mesothelioma can occur anywhere on the body in which asbestos-induced cancerous cells have formed. The most common sites are the lungs. People who have pleural mesothelioma suffer from pain in the chest area and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. People suffering from pericardial and peritoneal cancer typically experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to identify because the signs are similar to the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. It can take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma develop.
CT scans and Xrays can detect changes in the lungs, such as the accumulation of fluid or thickening of the pleura (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 indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can take the fluid or tissue that has accumulated to check for cancer cells. The doctor may also perform an operation known as thoracoscopic needle aspiration to remove a small amount of fluid from the lungs or the thoracic cavity. This test is a less invasive version of a biopsy that is performed in the office of a doctor.
If a doctor diagnoses mesothelioma it is likely that they will suggest chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. Radiation can be administered in a hospital or clinic. The radiation is usually administered as an outpatient. Palliative treatments are often used to control discomfort and other symptoms. Palliative treatment may include painkillers, regular drainage of fluids, or a tube inserted in the chest to help with breathing. It could also involve radiation to stop the tumor from advancing.
Treatment
Treatment can ease symptoms and extend the life of those suffering from mesothelioma. There are many options available, depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma. The treatment plan will also depend on the level of asbestos exposure the patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to the symptoms of a variety of illnesses, including the flu or pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease early. Patients may experience symptoms for months before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about any prior asbestos exposure. They will then perform scans and blood tests to determine the severity and extent of the cancer's presence in the body.
The most frequent mesothelioma type is a lung cancer. Most likely to develop the disease are those who have worked as a welding technician, plumber or electrician or in the automotive industry.
A buildup of fluid can lead to chest pain and breathing problems. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve a person's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can utilize to prevent further accumulation of fluid in the lung. During the procedure, a tube will be inserted into pleura in order to drain fluid. Then, medication will be injected to prevent further accumulation. Patients may also choose to have a shunt installed on their body. It is a device that moves fluid from one part of the body to another to absorb.
The treatment of chemotherapy and radiation are both options. Chemotherapy fights cancer cells directly by killing them. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors by using high-energy radiation. Patients who aren't eligible for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. This is done by targeting the cancer-causing gene inside the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis of mesothelioma is dependent on a variety of factors such as the stage and type of cancer, the site and general health condition of the patient. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could improve their prognosis if they seek treatment from a specialist for mesothelioma, and adhere to their treatment regimen. Patients with mesothelioma who are taking part in clinical trials could also be able to access new treatments that are still being investigated.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar those of many other conditions which is why they are often not diagnosed. Patients may have abdominal pain, breathing problems and other symptoms before being diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be confused with other ailments. Therefore, it is important to get any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as quickly as you can.
Mesothelioma can affect the chest cavity's lining (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare cases the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma, with 85 percent being diagnosed in patients who are older than 75 years old.
Women and men may have different rates of survival for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in areas that expose them to asbestos. Females exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis for a patient is also affected by their age, as older patients have a more difficult time recovering from illness. It is important to remember that some patients with mesothelioma endure for a long time, or even a decade after their initial prognosis.
Denver mesothelioma attorneys helps victims pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses associated with this asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma settlements are usually granted by amalgamating asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining the amount of compensation that is available in your particular case.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may make a personal injury claim for financial compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-related products they were exposed to at work. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by family members or a family member or a court appointed representative on behalf of the victim. The estate of a victim's family who has died from mesothelioma is able to file a wrongful-dea lawsuit to recover compensation from the parties responsible for the victim's asbestos exposure.
Because it can take decades from exposure to diagnosis many patients diagnosed with mesothelioma carry significant financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help victims pay off their debts and pay for the future of their families.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements may also provide compensation to victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist victims and their families get the money they deserve.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm can handle all aspects of a patient's mesothelioma case and make the process as painless as they can 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 to begin with a free mesothelioma review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to meet you at your home or at the hospital. Our law firm is paid only when we receive compensation for you.