Houston Mesothelioma Lawyers
Contact an experienced Houston asbestos lawyer if you've been diagnosed or if you know a loved one has died from this rare cancer that is caused by asbestos. You may be entitled to compensation.
A national asbestos law firm can assist you in getting the compensation you're entitled to. They also know the laws and regulations of the state.
The diagnosis of Mesothelioma
In the majority of instances, the doctor will require combination of tests to diagnose mesothelioma. The most crucial test to perform is the biopsy. Doctors remove a small piece of tissue from the affected region and send it to testing. Doctors can also perform an MRI scan or CT scan in order to determine the extent of the cancer's spread and gather other data that could prove useful in the treatment process.
Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize, because it can mimic symptoms of other illnesses, such as lung cancer or inflammatory colon disease. This can lead victims to get misdiagnosed. In some cases patients, they may wait for a long time before being diagnosed with mesothelioma because the condition has a lengthy time of latency.
Once a doctor suspects mesothelioma they will perform an examination and collect blood samples to determine the levels of certain proteins that suggest cancer in the body. They will also check the patient's heart rate as well as breathing. The most prevalent areas for mesothelioma to affect are the lungs and the abdomen. Doctors therefore will perform chest x-rays to look for fluid around the lungs or abdominal lining. They may also order the positron emission tomography (PET) or magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI) to obtain more information on the cancer.
A mesothelioma specialist will typically take a fine-needle biopsy to obtain a small sample of cellular material to test. This procedure is done under local anesthesia. In some instances the doctor may need to operate in order to access the tumor and collect a larger sample of tissue to test. Surgical biopsies are usually the most reliable method to detect mesothelioma.
A mesothelioma lawyer will be in a position to assist victims in understanding their legal options. They can look over medical records to determine if the victim is entitled to compensation. Compensation can be used to cover travel expenses, caregiver costs and funeral expenses. Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims and their families file mesothelioma suits in the court system to obtain fair damages compensation.
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 composed of two layers, with tiny amounts of fluid between them, so that your organs can move easily. The mesothelioma cancer is found in mesothelium cells. It may spread to other organs and cause discomfort.
There are a variety of mesothelioma based on the area of the mesothelium in which the cancer is situated. The most common type affects the tissues that surrounds your lungs. It is referred to as pleural mesothelioma. Other, less common mesothelioma types can be found within the tissue that surrounds your heart (pericardial mesothelioma of the peritoneal region) or in the lining surrounding the testicles. The symptoms differ based the location where the mesothelioma is located. Symptoms include shortness in breath, coughing, chest pain, fatigue and weight loss.
Your doctor will detect mesothelioma with an examination of your body and by examining your medical history. They will also request an imaging test, like a CT scan or X-ray. Imaging tests are used to look for abnormalities and lumps in the lungs and other body parts. They will also check for a buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall, known as Pleural effusion. This is the most frequent indication of pleural cancer.
A biopsy is often required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing a tiny portion of tissue from the affected area, and then studying it under a microscope to see whether it is cancerous. The doctor can perform a biopsy by inserting an instrument into the tumor, or by cutting a surgical hole in the skin.
Once mesothelioma military lawyer have mesothelioma-related diagnosis Your doctor will discuss the options for treatment with you. There are three kinds of mesothelioma treatments that are standard that include surgery, chemo and radiation. Each treatment has its own benefits and dangers. Certain patients also have good results from immunotherapy. This treatment relies on your immune system to fight against cancer.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, or mesothelium cancer (a layer of tissue that lines specific spaces within the human body such as the chest and abdomen) is a form of cancer that develops within the mesothelium. Three out of four cases of mesothelioma are found in the pleura which is the tissue that lines the space surrounding your lung. Other types of mesothelioma form in the stomach lining as well as around the heart.
Doctors use a combination of tests to diagnose mesothelioma. They begin with a physical examination and ask you to describe your symptoms. They will also rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. They may order imaging tests like a CT scan or MRI. These scans may reveal abnormalities, such as a tumor or mesothelium that has thickened.
Blood tests can help identify mesothelioma. They can determine the health of your blood cells, kidneys and liver are working. They also can look for mesothelioma markers that differ from other cancers. However, this test isn't perfect and doesn't always pick up mesothelioma.
If doctors discover that you have fluid in the area around your lungs, they will need to perform an examination to determine an mesothelioma diagnosis. This involves removing a small sample of tissue and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. If they are unable to perform the procedure, they will need to look for other evidence of mesothelioma such as a history of asbestos exposure or other health issues that are associated with mesothelioma.
The results of a biopsy will help doctors determine the most effective treatment. The biopsy can also determine the stage of your mesothelioma or how far the cancer has spread from its original site. The stage of your mesothelioma will depend on the location of the cancer as well as whether it is in lymph nodes, elsewhere of the body, or elsewhere.
When pleural asbestosis is diagnosed doctors usually perform a procedure referred to as pleurodesis. This involves using drugs or chemicals to cause the lining of the lungs to be damaged and adhere to the lung. This reduces fluid buildup and improves breathing. You can drain the fluid at home with the help of a catheter.
Treatment of Mesothelioma
The treatment of mesothelioma depends on the stage and location of the cancer. Doctors may decide to treat the disease using surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Doctors may also combine these treatments.
Mesothelioma is a difficult diagnosis because the symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases. Tests can aid in confirming the diagnosis, including chest x-rays and CT scan. Doctors can request a blood test to check for elevated levels of asbestos exposure. These substances include fibulin-3, soluble mesothelin related peptides and fibulin-3. They can also perform an invasive thoracentesis procedure to eliminate the lungs of fluid. This aids the doctor in determining whether mesothelioma is the cause of the accumulation of fluid.
Surgery is a standard treatment for mesothelioma. It can be used to ease symptoms or shrink the size of tumors. In pleural pleural cancer, doctors can drain fluid from the chest or remove the tissue that forms the lungs and chest wall (pleurectomy). The procedure won't cure mesothelioma however it can relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Chemotherapy is the process of using chemicals to eliminate cancerous cells. It can be used to make surgery easier or to lower the chance of recurrence from cancer after surgery (adjuvant therapy). In patients with peritoneal msothelioma, doctors can also inject heated chemotherapy drugs directly in the abdomen.
Radiation therapy uses a machine that emits radiation beams to the affected areas. The treatment can reduce or eliminate mesothelioma tumors and is often combined with surgery and chemotherapy. The side effects of radiation therapy include skin issues, fatigue, hair loss, mouth sores and vomiting.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other cancer, consult a Houston Mesothelioma Lawyer as quickly as possible. An experienced lawyer can help you file a suit against the business responsible for your exposure to asbestos. You could be awarded compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses.
Sutliff & Stout, Houston's lawyers are committed to fighting for justice on behalf of families and victims. Contact us for a free consultation today.