mesothelioma lawsuitAsbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma if they irritate tissue surrounding many of your internal organs. The cancerous cells will then develop.
The lung's lining (pleura) is the most frequent site for mesothelioma. Other types are less well-known and affect the lining of the abdomen or around the testicles.
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by examining the tissue or a sample of fluid for cancerous cells. They can also order blood tests and imaging tests.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma affects the lining of organs in different parts of the body. The symptoms differ based on the location of the tumor, such as in the pleura or peritoneum (lung lining) as well as the peritoneal and pleural cancers. Unpredictable fatigue, fever and weight loss are common symptoms. Mesothelioma symptoms may also include pain and trouble breathing.
The first step to diagnose
mesothelioma claim involves a physical examination. Your doctor will ask you about your past exposure to asbestos as well as other factors that could increase your chance of developing mesothelioma. This includes any past history of asbestos exposure such as in the construction, shipbuilding or manufacturing industries.
In the majority of cases mesothelioma can be diagnosed with imaging scans of the abdomen or chest. These include X-rays, CT (computer tomography) scans, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). These tests allow doctors to see inside your body, and check for mesothelioma and other masses in the lungs or stomach.
The X-rays will reveal a thickening of the Pleura or a buildup of fluid in the space between your lungs and chest wall, which are both common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. They can also reveal any abdominal fluid which is usually associated with mesothelioma peritoneal.
Your doctor will recommend a biopsied if a mesothelioma tumor is found. When you undergo the procedure, your doctor will remove the tissue from the tumor in order to test for
mesothelioma claims tumor cells. A surgeon will insert a needle or perform a surgical operation to remove the sample.
For mesothelioma pleural, doctors will drain the fluid in the chest cavity using the procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves making a small incision on the abdomen or chest and then using a tube to drain the fluid. Fluid buildup can cause difficulty breathing in patients with mesothelioma of the pleura. Your doctor may attempt to reduce the amount of fluid in your pleura by insertion of an indwelling catheter, or using ultrasound-guided needle aspiration.
In rare cases, the cancer can be spread to other areas of the body and cause symptoms like abdominal pain as well as weight loss and breathing problems. These symptoms are referred to as metastatic signs, since they occur outside of the original tumor.
Diagnosis
In most instances, doctors will first look at symptoms like coughing and chest pains with a physical exam. They will also ask patients about their history of asbestos exposure. Then, they'll conduct imaging tests to search for tumors in the lungs and abdomen. This could include X-rays CT scans magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or the positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
Since mesothelioma is a rare cancer, it can be hard for doctors to identify it accurately. Patients with mesothelioma are often misdiagnosed for common diseases like bronchitis and pneumonia. This could delay treatment and lead to the disease to spread before it is properly diagnosed.
If doctors discover a potential mesothelioma tumor, they will require a sample of the fluid or tissue for testing. These samples can help them determine the type of mesothelioma they found and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Doctors can collect mesothelioma samples by taking a biopsy. These can be performed by removing a small amount of tissue through surgery or inserting an needle in the abdominal or chest area to remove fluid.
The samples will be examined to determine whether they have cancerous cells. The type of mesothelioma the doctor finds will help determine the most effective treatment options.
Doctors may suggest lab tests to help understand the tumor. These tests can identify specific proteins, genes or other elements that are unique to the tumor.
Doctors will also want to know whether the tumor has spread by staging. This allows them to determine the size of the tumor and whether it has gotten larger.
Once all tests are completed the doctor will discuss the results with you. They will also provide you with an estimate of your prognosis. It is based on averages of mesothelioma sufferers with similar symptoms and staging. Then, they will explain how the prognosis is likely to change as the tumor grows or shrinks and other treatments are utilized. Ask for a second doctor's opinion in case you have concerns. This is an excellent method to ensure that you receive the highest quality treatment.
Treatment
The journey to a mesothelioma diagnosis is not over once you are diagnosed. Treatment options depend on many factors, including the type and degree of mesothelioma (how quickly it develops). Doctors will also consider the patient's age, general health and other medical issues.
Mesothelioma is a rare condition and can be difficult for healthcare providers to identify. Combinations of tests, including chest CT scans and Xrays, are frequently used to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. These imaging studies may reveal changes in the lung lining or abdomen, like the thickening of the pleura and the accumulation of fluid. Blood tests can also be performed to determine the presence of specific proteins that are associated with mesothelioma.
A biopsy is typically performed when mesothelioma is suspected. This involves inserting a needle in the affected area to extract a small sample of tissue to test. A lab will examine the sample to see if it contains cancerous cells.
If a patient has pleural
mesothelioma lawyer, doctors can eliminate the excess fluid through a procedure known as thoracentesis. They can also use the procedure known as pleurodesis to help prevent fluid from building up in the future. Pleurodesis works by placing a tube in the chest to aid in draining the fluid. It can be paired with medication to reduce the chance of fluid building up again.
Radiation is another common treatment for mesothelioma, and it can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery. Doctors can choose to use traditional photon radiation or a more advanced method known as intensity-modulated therapy, which delivers radiation at different angles in order to limit healthy tissue damage.
It can be used to aid in surgery by using drugs that eliminate cancerous cells. It can be heated and directly injected into the abdomen (intraperitoneal chemotherapy) for patients suffering from mesothelioma peritoneal. Some people are eligible to participate in clinical trials of the latest mesothelioma therapies. These are usually done in larger medical facilities, and may provide the most promising results. Even after treatment, mesothelioma can occur again. If it does, the treatment options will vary depending on the location where mesothelioma developed and the previous treatments received.
Prognosis
In general the prognosis of a mesothelioma patient depends on the type of cancer they have, the stage at which they were diagnosed, as well as their overall health and age. It also depends on the extent of mesothelioma and how well the treatment can manage the symptoms.
A doctor will use several tests to determine the prognosis of a patient which include imaging tests such as an CT scan or an X-ray, blood tests, and biopsy. A biopsy is the process of removing the mesothelioma tumor or tissue and examine it under a microscope in order to check for cancer cells.