Mesothelioma Claims After Death
The disease kills more than 3,000 people every year. Families of the victims can claim compensation by filing a wrongful-death lawsuit or making an asbestos trust fund claim.
Lawyers who have experience with mesothelioma help families prove and identify the losses that are due. Compensation can help pay expenses and provide financial security.
The diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the lining in the chest cavity and lungs called the pleura. This can result in the development of cancerous cells. Mesothelioma may also develop in the peritoneum lining the abdomen, as well as in tissues surrounding the heart. These cancerous cells can grow out of control and eventually cause a tumor or tumors that can push against vital organs or restrict their movement.
The first symptoms of mesothelioma usually include a persistent cough and difficulty breathing that can worsen with time. Doctors will conduct a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam to find out the source of these symptoms. If they suspect mesothelioma they will suggest a variety of imaging scans and tests to determine the diagnosis.
It can take a long time for symptoms to become apparent. The majority of patients are not diagnosed until mesothelioma has spread to other parts. Patients with late-stage mesothelioma often suffer from fatigue, weight loss, and pain.
Due to the complexity of mesothelioma doctors employ multiple methods and imaging scans to search for signs of the disease. The most common test is an X-ray of the chest, which uses an extremely low amount of radiation to create a two-dimensional image of the internal structures of the abdomen and chest. If the test shows an abnormal growth of fluid around the lungs, doctors can move on to more advanced tests such as the CT or MRI scan.
These tests will provide doctors with more information about the mesothelioma’s location as well as its size and whether it has spread to other regions of the body. They will need to perform a biopsy of the region in which the cancer is located to confirm that it is mesothelioma. They will also need to identify the type of cell.
The most commonly encountered mesothelioma type is epithelioid cancer, which is easier to remove by surgery and has a better prognosis. However, between 20 and 30 percent of mesothelioma cases are Sarcomatoid cells that are more difficult to treat and have poorer prognoses.
Signs and symptoms
Patients can experience different symptoms when cancer has spread to other parts of their bodies. These symptoms could include chest pain, fatigue or coughing. The symptoms of mesothelioma are different from patient to patient and vary depending on the type and stage.
People who suffer from pleural mesothelioma generally suffer from dry cough, chest or abdominal pain and breathing difficulties. They may also experience fatigue and fever. Patients with peritoneal msothelioma can have similar symptoms, but they could also develop vomiting or hernias. People with pericardial or testicular mesothelioma experience different symptoms, depending on the area of their cancer.
The majority of mesothelioma patients are in the first or second stages of the disease at the time they are diagnosed. The tumors are still in the initial stages and aren’t spreading. The symptoms are mild and generally do not affect daily activities.
In the third and fourth or the late-stages of mesothelioma the tumors grow deeper into the tissues. The mesothelioma tumors can penetrate the linings of organs like the diaphragm, or the esophagus.
At this point most patients will already be experiencing numerous of the severe symptoms that are associated with mesothelioma in its later stages. The patients are usually weak and may require assistance with daily activities. The cancerous cells can get into the lymphatic system, creating more symptoms and preventing the immune system from fighting them.
There are many options for mesothelioma patients in order to lessen their symptoms and enhance the quality of their lives. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the three main methods. Surgery is the most commonly used treatment for mesothelioma. Doctors may perform procedures like pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy along with decortication.
For patients with pleural mesothelioma doctors may also prescribe chemotherapy drugs, such as carboplatin, pemetrexed and cisplatin to kill cancerous cells and ease symptoms. However, the medications may cause adverse reactions such as fever, nausea and a weakened immune system that leave patients vulnerable to infections. Therefore, patients must follow their doctors’ instructions when receiving mesothelioma treatment.
Diagnosis Procedures
For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, the first step in a treatment plan generally to determine if cancer has spread. Doctors do this through the use of imaging tests and blood tests.
The symptoms of mesothelioma differ depending on where the disease has taken hold. For example, pleural mesothelioma usually causes pain in the chest, and lung damage from mesothelioma could cause breathing difficulty or an ongoing cough. Mesothelioma of the abdomen typically results in weight loss and abdominal pain.
Diagnostic tools such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to determine the cause of these symptoms. Imaging tests can reveal changes in the tissues or fluid of certain body parts, such as the chest wall or lungs.
A needle biopsy is another test to detect mesothelioma. A needle is inserted under the skin to extract a small sample of mesothelioma’s tumor. The doctors use imaging tests to guide the collection of the right tissue sample. This procedure does require an incision surgically made or an overnight stay at the hospital.
Doctors will perform tests on blood if they suspect mesothelioma. These tests measure the levels and determine the aggressiveness of the cancer. The complete blood count (CBC) is a standard blood test, determines the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. It can also tell whether mesothelioma has spread into other organs.
Other tests can be performed to determine the type of cell and stage of mesothelioma. A mesothelioma biopsy can, for example, determine whether the tumor is epithelioid or sarcomatoid cells. Epithelioid tumors are less difficult to remove via surgery and are generally more likely to be successful than sarcomatoid cells.
Doctors will usually perform a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test or computed tomography (CT) scan to help confirm the mesothelioma diagnosis. An MRI uses a magnet and radio waves to create detailed, three-dimensional pictures of structures inside the body. A CT scan can also reveal the extent of any mesothelioma tumors and show the areas where they’ve spread. Other imaging tests include positron emission tomography (FDG PET) or mediastinoscopy. They involve making a small cut and inserting a tube with a camera in the abdomen or chest.
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When malignant mesothelioma reaches the advanced stages the treatment options are limited. The cancer has spread into other parts of the human body. It is also sometimes difficult to detect. Mesothelioma can be found in the lung linings or abdomen, as well as the heart.
Treatment is often based on the location where the tumor is situated. If mesothelioma only affected one area, doctors can remove it through surgery or other procedures. They can also treat signs like breathing difficulties by using medications and painkillers.
A person who has mesothelioma that is a terminal disease requires care from family members and friends. Caregivers who are worried about the prognosis of their loved ones and are struggling to cope can find it difficult emotionally.
Mesothelioma has a myriad of complications. Patients suffering from the disease may require hospitalization or long-term treatment in a hospice setting.
Patients with mesothelioma can suffer from respiratory failure, lung infections or other symptoms in advanced stages. Doctors can manage these symptoms with medications or by performing lung function tests.
Another option is to use radiation to kill mesothelioma cancer cells and shrink tumors. Doctors may use chemotherapy to treat mesothelioma either in conjunction with radiation treatment or alone.
A mesothelioma lawyer can assist families file a wrongful-death lawsuit against asbestos-related companies that are responsible for their loved ones’ asbestos exposure. This lawsuit could provide compensation for funeral expenses, medical bills, and other losses associated with mesothelioma diagnosis.
Typically, a mesothelioma victim chooses an estate representative to make legal decisions on their behalf if they die in the course of filing a lawsuit. It is typically an adult or spouse however, the deceased can name anyone as an estate representative. If the victim fails to nominate an agent and the court orders it the same. The estate representative must be a reliable, trustworthy person who is knowledgeable of the financial affairs of the plaintiff as well as obligations. A mesothelioma attorney with experience will know how to determine a fair amount for the losses of the victim and create a strong case.
PHOENIX GAMING PC