Mesothelioma Claims A mesothelioma suit can assist victims to receive compensation for treatment and other costs. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, restrict the amount of time a patient can file a lawsuit. The most common form of lawsuits is of personal injury or wrongful death claims. The jury awards money damages, which may include economic and noneconomic damage. Diagnosis Mesothelioma is a rare disease and it can take many years for patients to be diagnosed. Most patients go to their primary care physician with complaints and medical history. Doctors will do an examination of the body and inquire about exposure to asbestos. Imaging tests are often requested by doctors when they suspect mesothelioma. This includes chest X-rays (CT scans) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. These tests provide a detailed examination of the body. They can show a build-up of fluid around the abdomen or lungs, which is a typical mesothelioma sign. These tests can be used to determine the type mesothelioma. The pleural form of mesothelioma occurs when cancer cells in lung lining (pleura) cause the disease. The peritoneal type is caused by cancerous cells within the abdominal cavity. In a surgical biopsies doctors will remove a sample of tissue from a tumor or affected area and examine it under a microscope to look for indications of mesothelioma. Doctors may also use a test called the cytology test to detect cancerous cells in fluid samples taken from the lungs or stomach. A blood test referred to as the MESOMARK test can determine the amount of soluble mesothelin related peptide (SMRP) in the patient's body. The presence of this biomarker can be a sign of mesothelioma. This is why these biomarkers can be helpful for doctors who are trying to detect mesothelioma at its earliest stages. However, they are not an alternative to mesothelioma biopsies which is the sole reliable method to determine if cancer is present in the body. Doctors can perform non-surgical biopsies to remove fluid from the stomach or pleura using a needle, and analyze it for mesothelioma cells. Symptoms Mesothelioma can occur anywhere in the body where asbestos-induced cancerous cells have developed. The most frequent sites are the abdomen, lungs and heart. Patients with pleural mesothelioma experience pain in the chest region and have difficulty swallowing as well as hoarseness. Patients with pericardial and peritoneal cancer often experience abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to diagnose because the signs are similar to the symptoms of a variety of common illnesses. It could take a long time after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma grow. CT scans and X-rays may detect changes in the lungs, such as fluid buildup or thickening of the pleura (pleural effusion). MRI and PET scans can also be used to identify mesothelioma. Blood tests can be utilized to check for elevated levels of certain substances that may be indicative of mesothelioma. A doctor can drain an amount of fluid or tissue that has accumulated to determine if it contains cancer cells. Doctors can also perform an operation, known as thoracoscopic aspiration, which removes a small amount of fluid from the thoracic cavity or lungs. This test is a less invasive alternative to a biopsy, and is performed in the office of a doctor. If a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma he or she will likely recommend radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to stop cancer cells from spreading. The surgery and chemotherapy typically take place in an outpatient setting and the radiation is delivered in a hospital or clinic. Palliative treatments are often used to control the symptoms of pain and other. It could include painkillers, regular draining of fluids or tubes that are placed inside the chest to assist with breathing, and radiation to keep the tumor from expanding. Treatment For patients diagnosed with mesothelioma or other cancers, treatment can help alleviate symptoms and prolong the life. Treatment options vary based on the mesothelioma type and stage. The treatment plan will also vary depending on how much asbestos exposure a patient has. Mesothelioma symptoms are comparable to those of many diseases like the flu and pneumonia. This makes it difficult for doctors to identify the disease early. Most patients experience symptoms for several months before being diagnosed with mesothelioma. To determine the cause of the illness, doctors will perform an examination of the body and inquire about any exposure to asbestos in the past. They will then perform blood tests and imaging scanners to determine the size and extent of the cancer's presence in the body. The most common mesothelioma type affects the lungs. People who have been exposed to asbestos in the course of their work as workers in the construction industry, welding plumber, electrician, or autoworker are more likely to develop this disease. Pleural mesothelioma may cause an accumulation of fluid, creating chest pain and difficulty breathing. Surgery can remove the excess fluid and improve the quality of life. Doctors can also utilize pleurodesis, a procedure that helps stop the buildup of fluid in the lung. During this procedure, a tube is inserted into the pleura to drain fluid, and then the medicine is injected into the pleura to prevent the buildup of further fluids. Patients can also opt to receive a shunt which is a device to move fluid from one part of the body to the next to absorb. Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly. Radiation therapy shrinks tumors using high-energy radiation. Patients who are not eligible for surgery may opt for targeted therapy. This involves targeting the cancer-causing gene inside the cancerous cells. Prognosis The prognosis of mesothelioma is based on a variety of factors including the type and location of the cancer as well as the stage at which it was diagnosed and general health of the patient. A mesothelioma prognosis can improve by seeking treatment from a specialist who is experienced in mesothelioma treatment and follow their treatment regimen. Additionally, mesothelioma patients who participate in a clinical trial may be able to access new treatments that are still being studied. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other conditions which is why they are often not diagnosed. Patients may experience breathing difficulties, abdominal pain and other symptoms for several months before being diagnosed. Because these symptoms are mild at first, people can easily confuse them with other conditions. It's therefore important to have any symptoms evaluated by a doctor as soon as is possible. Mesothelioma can affect the tissue lining the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma) or, in rare cases the membrane that surrounds the testicles (pericardial mesothelioma). Pleural mesothelioma is the most common cause of mesothelioma cases, with 85 percent of all diagnosed cases occurring in patients who are over 75 years old. Survival rates for mesothelioma can differ between women and men. Men are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than women because they are more likely to work in industries where asbestos is prevalent. However females who have been exposed to mesothelioma are twice as likely to survive past five years than male patients. This is likely due to the hormonal interactions between female hormones and mesothelioma tumor cells. The prognosis of an individual is also influenced by their age, since older patients have a harder time recovering from disease. It's also worth noting that some mesothelioma patients live years or even a decade or more over their initial prognoses. Compensation Mesothelioma compensation helps victims pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses related to the asbestos-related disease. Most often, this mesothelioma compensation is granted through the combination of asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in determining what compensation is available in your case. Mesothelioma patients can make a personal injury claim to receive financial compensation from asbestos-related manufacturers they were exposed to during their work. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by a loved one or a family member or an appointed representative of the court on behalf of the victim. If a victim has died of mesothelioma, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the estate of the victim's deceased loved ones to recover compensation from those responsible for their loved one's asbestos exposure. Many people with mesothelioma are in debt as it can take years from exposure to diagnosis. Mesothelioma compensation may help victims pay off their debts and pay for the future of their families. Mesothelioma settlements and lawsuits can also compensate the victims for their pain and suffering. A mesothelioma lawyer can help victims and families receive the compensation that they deserve. A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled can handle every aspect of a mesothelioma lawsuit for a victim and make the process as painless as possible for their client. At Sokolove Law our lawyers have secured more than $4.7 billion in mesothelioma settlements to help victims and their families. Contact us now to get started with a free mesothelioma review. Our lawyers serve clients nationwide. We can meet you at your home or at the hospital. Our law firm only gets paid if we secure compensation for you.
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