Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma claim can assist victims in obtaining compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws called statutes of limitations limit the time a patient has to file a lawsuit.
Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award damages in the form of money that include economic and noneconomic damages.
Diagnosis
It can take a long time to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare condition. Patients typically visit their primary physician with complaints and a medical history. Doctors will do a physical exam and ask about the possibility of exposure to asbestos.
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 give a complete examination of the body. These tests can reveal the presence of fluid in the lungs or abdomen as a mesothelioma related symptoms.
These tests can be used to determine the kind of mesothelioma. The mesothelioma pleural type is when cancerous cells in the lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal form is caused by cancer cells that reside in the abdominal cavity. In the procedure of a surgical biopsy, doctors will remove a small piece of tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope to look for signs of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use an examination known as the cytology test to detect cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach.
A blood test, known as the MESOMARK Assay, will determine the amount soluble mesothelin related to peptide (SMRP), in the body of the patient. A high level of this biomarker can indicate the presence of mesothelioma cell lines.
These biomarkers are thus beneficial to doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma in its early stages. It is not a replacement to a mesothelioma biopsies, which is the only way to definitively determine if cancer has been detected within the body. Doctors can conduct non-surgical biopsies that remove fluid from the stomach or pleura using needles, and then analyze it for cells of mesothelioma.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma may occur in any part of the body where asbestos has caused cancerous cells to form. The most common sites are the lung. Patients with pleural mysothelioma feel pain in their chest region as well as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and a swollen throat. People with peritoneal and pericardial cancer often experience abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. The signs of mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize due to their similarity to those of other common diseases. It can take years after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to develop.
X-rays and CT scans may reveal changes in the lungs, for example, thickening of the pleura or fluid accumulation (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans may also be used to search for mesothelioma. Blood tests can be used to detect elevated levels of certain substances that may indicate mesothelioma.
A doctor can drain an amount of fluid or tissue that is accumulating to check for cancer cells. A doctor may also perform an operation called the thoracoscopic aspiration. This procedure removes a small amount fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a less-invasive alternative to a biopsy, and can be performed in a doctor's office.
If the doctor finds mesothelioma in the body, he or she might suggest surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to kill the cancerous cells and prevent the spread. The radiation can be administered in a clinic or hospital. The radiation is typically given as an outpatient. The use of palliative therapies is often to treat the symptoms of pain and other. Palliative treatment may include painkillers and regular drainage of fluids or a tube placed in the chest to help in breathing. It could also include radiation to stop the tumor from growing.
Treatment
For those diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment can alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. There are a variety of treatments available, depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma. The treatment plan will vary depending on how much asbestos exposure a patient has.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of many illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia. This makes it hard for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma before it becomes apparent. Most patients suffer for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Doctors will conduct a physical exam and inquire about prior asbestos exposure. They will then conduct imaging scans and blood tests to determine the severity of the cancer and its location within the body.
The most common mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. It affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as a construction worker, welder, plumber, electrician or autoworker are the most likely to contract this disease.
Pleural mesothelioma may cause a buildup of fluid, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can help eliminate the excess fluid and improve a patient's quality of life.
Pleurodesis is a different procedure doctors can use to prevent further accumulation of fluid in the lung. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid, and then medication is injected to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients can also opt to have a shunt installed in the body, which is a device that moves fluid from one part of the body to another to absorb.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also options. Chemotherapy kills cancerous cells directly. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy rays. Patients who are not eligible for surgery may undergo targeted therapy. This is done by attacking the cancer-causing gene within the cancerous cells.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma is affected by a variety of factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the location and the general health status of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve if patients seek treatment from a specialist who is experienced in the field of mesothelioma and follow their treatment plan. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who are part of clinical trials may have access to new treatments still under study.
Mesothelioma symptoms can be compared to the symptoms of a variety of other diseases, so they are often misdiagnosed. Patients may suffer from abdominal pain, breathing issues and other symptoms before they are diagnosed. These symptoms may be initially mild and can be easily confused with other illnesses. It is therefore essential to have any symptoms evaluated by a physician as soon as possible.
The lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or peritoneum, or in rare cases, the membrane surrounding the testicles can be affected by mesothelioma. The majority of mesothelioma diagnosis are pleural mesothelioma. 85 percent being in patients older than 75 years.
Both genders have different survival rates for mesothelioma. This is due to the fact that males are more likely than women to work in industries that expose them to asbestos. Women who are exposed to mesothelioma have twice the chance of surviving past five years than male patients. This is likely due the interaction between female hormones and mesothelioma cancer cells. The prognosis of a person is also affected by their age, since older patients have a harder to recover from illnesses. It's important to note that mesothelioma patients can live for years, or even a decade beyond their initial prognosis.
Carlsbad mesothelioma lawyer helps victims pay for their medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses related to this asbestos-related illness. Most often, this mesothelioma compensation is granted through a combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you determine what types of compensation might be available to you in your particular case.
A person who has been diagnosed mesothelioma could file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of asbestos-related products to which they were exposed while at work. They may seek financial compensation. Mesothelioma suits can be filed by someone close to the victim or a family member or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim died of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the estate of the deceased to collect compensation from those who are responsible for their loved ones' asbestos exposure.
Because it can take years from exposure to diagnosis, many people diagnosed with mesothelioma carry significant financial debts from treatment. Mesothelioma compensation can help these victims pay off their debts and provide for the future of their family members.
Mesothelioma lawsuits and settlements can also provide compensation to victims for their suffering and pain. A mesothelioma attorney can help victims and families receive the compensation they are entitled to.
A reputable mesothelioma law firm can handle all aspects of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim to make the process as stress-free as possible for their client. Our attorneys at Sokolove Law have helped families and victims members obtain more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma lawsuits. Contact us today for no-cost review of your mesothelioma lawsuit. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We are able to visit you at your home or in a hospital. Our law firm is paid only if we secure compensation for you.