Houston Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lost a loved one to this rare asbestos cancer, contact an experienced Houston mesothelioma lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation.
A national asbestos law firm can help you receive the compensation you deserve. They are also familiar with the laws and regulations of each state.
The diagnosis of Mesothelioma
In the majority of instances, a specialist will require combination tests in order to determine if mesothelioma is present. The most important test is a biopsy, in which doctors remove an insignificant portion of the affected area to be examined. Doctors can also do an MRI or CT scan to assess how the cancer has spread within the body, and to gather other information that could be useful in the treatment process.
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since it can resemble other diseases like lung cancer and inflammatory intestinal diseases. This makes it easy for victims to get mistakenly diagnosed. As the latency period of mesothelioma can be long it can take a long time before a patient is diagnosed.
A doctor will conduct a physical exam and take blood samples to determine the presence of certain proteins in the body that indicate cancer. They will also test their heart rate and breathing. The most prevalent areas for mesothelioma to affect are the lungs and abdomen. Doctors will therefore conduct chest x-rays in order to determine if there is fluid in the lungs or abdominal lining. They may also order an positron emission (PET) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test to obtain additional information about the tumor and its site of origin.
A mesothelioma specialist will usually take a fine needle biopsy to get a small sample of cells for testing. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. In some instances it is necessary for a doctor to perform surgery on a patient in order to locate the tumor and obtain more of the sample to test. The most reliable way to diagnose Mesothelioma is through surgical biopsies.
A mesothelioma lawyer is in a position to assist victims in understanding their legal options. They can look over the medical records of a patient and determine the amount of compensation they may be entitled to. Compensation can cover travel expenses, caregiver costs and funeral costs. Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims and their family members to file mesothelioma lawsuits in the courts to get fair damages compensation.
The symptoms of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma (me-zoe-thee-lee-O-muh) is a cancer that happens in the thin layer of tissue that covers and protects most of your internal organs. This tissue is made up of two layers with tiny amounts of fluid between them, allowing your organs to move freely. Malignant mesothelioma is found in the cells of the mesothelium and can spread to other parts of the body, causing additional pain and also affecting other organs.
There are various types of mesothelioma that differ in where in the mesothelium the cancer occurs. The most common kind affects the tissue that surrounds your lungs. This is called pleural mesothelioma. Other, less well-known mesothelioma forms can occur within the tissue that surrounds your heart (pericardial mesothelioma of the peritoneal region), or in the lining around the testicles. The symptoms differ based on where the mesothelioma is situated. In general, symptoms include shortness of breath coughing or chest pain as well as weight loss, and fatigue.
Your doctor can diagnose mesothelioma through an examination and writing notes on your medical history. They will also order an imaging test, like a CT scan or an X-ray. The imaging tests are used to test for lumps and other abnormalities in the lungs and other parts of your body. They will also check for a buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall known as pleural effusion. This is the most common sign of cancer of the pleural region.
A biopsy is often required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing a small sample of tissue and examining it with a magnifying glass to determine if it is cancerous. Your doctor may perform a biopsy either by inserting an needle into the tumor or making a surgical incision on the skin.
When you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis Your doctor will discuss the options for treatment with you. There are three main mesothelioma treatments that include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Each treatment has its own benefits and dangers. Certain patients also have success with immunotherapy. This treatment uses your immune system to fight against cancer.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma or cancer of the mesothelium (a layer of tissue that lines specific cavities in the human body such as the abdomen and chest) is a form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium. Three out of four cases of mesothelioma are located in the pleura, which is the tissue that lines the space surrounding your lung. Other mesothelioma types can form in the stomach lining or around the heart.
Doctors use a combination of tests to identify mesothelioma. It starts with an examination of your body and ask about your symptoms. They will also rule out any other diseases that could be contributing to your symptoms. They may recommend imaging scans such as a CT or MRI. washington mesothelioma lawyer can identify abnormalities, like a tumor or a thickening of the mesothelium.
Blood tests can also help diagnose mesothelioma. These tests can assess the health of your blood cells, kidneys and liver are functioning. They also check for signs of mesothelioma which differ from other types of cancer. This test is not perfect and is not always able to detect mesothelioma.
If your doctor observes that there is fluid in your lungs, they'll need to perform a biopsy to identify mesothelioma. A small sample of tissue is taken and sent to a laboratory for testing. If they cannot take a biopsy, they'll need to establish other evidence of mesothelioma. This could be a case of asbestos or other health issues that are related to mesothelioma.
The results of a biopsy can help doctors decide the best treatment. They will also determine the stage of your mesothelioma or how far it has spread from its original location. The process of staging is based on the location in your body the mesothelioma is and how much is located in lymph nodes or other areas of the body.
If pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed, doctors will often undergo a procedure known as pleurodesis. The lining of the lung is made to scar and adhere to the lung using the use of a chemical. This reduces fluid buildup and improves breathing. They could also flush the fluid with the use of a catheter that you can perform at home.
Treatment of Mesothelioma
The treatment of mesothelioma depends on the location and the stage of the cancer. Doctors can choose to treat mesothelioma with radiation, surgery, and chemo therapy. Doctors can also combine these treatments.
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma since the symptoms are often similar to those of other illnesses. Tests can aid doctors in confirming the diagnosis, including a chest x-ray and CT scan. Doctors can also request an analysis of blood samples to look for elevated levels of certain substances associated with asbestos exposure, such as fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related peptides. They can also perform a thoracentesis to remove fluid from around the lungs. This helps the doctor determine if mesothelioma is the reason for the buildup of fluid in the chest.
Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma and can be used to relieve symptoms or shrink the size of tumors. In pleural pleural cancer, doctors can remove fluid from the chest or remove the tissue that connects the chest wall and lungs (pleurectomy). This won't cure mesothelioma but it can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals to destroy cancerous cells. It can be used prior to surgery to make the process easier or after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) to decrease the chance of cancer recurrence. Doctors may also use heated chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdomen (intraperitoneal chemotherapy) in patients with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region.
Radiation therapy utilizes a machine that emits radiation beams to the affected regions. This treatment can shrink mesothelioma tumours or even kill them. It is possible to combine it with surgery and chemo. Side effects of radiation therapy include skin issues, fatigue, hair loss, mouth sores and vomiting.
Contact a Houston Mesothelioma Attorney as quickly as you can if you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with the disease. A lawyer with experience will assist you in filing a suit against the company responsible for the asbestos exposure. You may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
The Houston lawyers at Sutliff & Stout are dedicated to fighting for justice for victims and their families. Contact us for a complimentary consultation today.