What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer that is caused by breathing in asbestos particles. In the last twenty years, cases of mesothelioma have increased, but reported cases of the cancer are still fairly rare.

Mesothelioma strikes the membrane that covers and protects our internal organs. The membrane is known as the mesothelium – hence the name. The cancer is usually detected in the most advanced stages, as it takes anywhere from ten to fifty years and more to be detected. Mesothelioma is a very difficult to diagnose. Therefore, the mortality rate of those who contact the cancer is very high. Most people with the disease usually die within two to five years.

Depending on where in the body mesothelioma strikes, it has different names. Most cases affect the pleura, which is the membrane that covers and protects the chest cavity and lungs. A lesser affected area is the peritoneum, which is the membrane that is found in the abdominal cavity. The rarest form is mesothelioma pericardium, which strikes the membrane that covers and protects the heart.

Though scientists aren’t one hundred percent sure of what causes mesothelioma, most agree that asbestos fibers become lodged in the mesothelium and cause the cells to mutate, which causes the cancer.

Those at Risk

Research shows that most people who contact mesothelioma have worked at a job where they were exposed to asbestos particles in the air for a number of years. Mesothelioma strikes those who work in asbestos fabrication plants, asbestos mines, home renovation businesses, handling asbestos insulation or cement products and construction. Seventy to eighty percent of people who have been stricken with mesothelioma report that they worked with asbestos and were exposed to particles in the air. Other victims are family members of those exposed to asbestos particles through dirty laundry and hair of individuals who were exposed to asbestos particles on a daily basis.

The longer that individuals were exposed to asbestos particles and the heavier the exposure, the more likely they are to contact mesothelioma. However, even those exposed for very short periods of time have developed the disease. Other trades people who are at risk include boilermakers, brake mechanics, insulation installers, maintenance workers, pipe fitters, ship fitters and steel workers.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are often misdiagnosed as viral pneumonia. Symptoms seldom develop until the cancer is in its final stages. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath and chest pain. This is caused by a build up of fluid between the chest cavity and the lung lining. This condition is known as pleural effusion. Other symptoms include persistent cough that may or may not contain blood, fever, hoarseness, muscle weakness, sensory loss and swelling of the arms and face.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal bloating and pain due to fluid build up in the abdominal cavity, chronic fatigue, anemia, fever, bowel obstruction, swelling of the feet and severe or rapid weight loss.

Pericardium mesothelioma symptoms include chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, heart palpitations, hypertension, hypotension, irregular heart rhythm and irregular heartbeat.

The biggest danger of mesothelioma is the likelihood that it will spread and affect other body organs. Symptoms include pain, swelling of arms, face and neck and trouble swallowing.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Since symptoms of mesothelioma are very similar to those of other conditions, the cancer is difficult to diagnose. This often causes the disease to be in the final stages before diagnosis occurs. Mesothelioma diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history. The doctor must determine if the patient has been exposed to asbestos. He will then perform a complete examination and run tests. These include lung function testing, a CAT scan, an MRI and X-rays of the abdomen or chest. Cells are often extracted with a needle from the chest cavity if pleura mesothelioma is suspected. This test is only fifteen percent accurate. Most times the tests will show a negative result even though mesothelioma is present. More accurate testing includes a needle or open biopsy of the pleural to determine the cancer’s existence. When tissue is removed and sent to a laboratory for testing, cancerous cells can be easily detected.

Once mesothelioma is found, the doctor must determine the stage it is in and if it is benign or malignant. If it is found that the cancer is malignant, the doctor then has to determine if it has spread to other parts of the body, and if so, what organs has it attacked?

If mesothelioma has only mutated on the membrane surface, it is considered localized. If it has spread from the original site, it is termed as advanced. It may be found in the abdomen cavity, chest cavity, lungs or lymph nodes. CAT scans, MRI’s and X-rays are then performed to find out exactly how far the cancer has progressed.

Treatment of Mesothelioma

The earlier that mesothelioma is diagnosed, the better it is. Prognosis of the disease is difficult to evaluate, as most doctors, surgeons and specialists have little experience treating the disease. If mesothelioma is in an advanced stage when diagnosed, treatment is usually not effective.

The chance of survival for patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma depends on the patient’s age, the appearance of the cancer under a microscope, the location and size of the cancer and how far the cancer has spread. There are only three treatments to force mesothelioma into remission; chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is medication that is used to stop types of cancer by the use of strong medication. It is usually given intravenously after surgery to kill cancerous cells that remain in the body. Medications used to treat mesothelioma are Altima, Adriamycin, Gemcitabine, Oconase and Taxol. A combination of more than one of these medications seems to be most effective in the treatment of mesothelioma. At present, new medications are being developed for all types of the disease.

Surgery

Surgery is not a cure for mesothelioma. However, it can control the spread of the cancer, give the patient relief from symptoms and prolong life. Before surgery can be performed, the patient must undergo tests to evaluate heart function and lung performance.

Aggressive Surgery

Aggressive surgery in the form of lung, diaphragm or pericardium removal is common. This surgery is highly specialized and carries a very high risk. Many patients die within a four week period. Many others are so high risk that aggressive surgery is impossible.

Palliative Surgery

Palliative surgery is performed to control symptoms and relieve pain.

Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis is the use of a needle to draw excess fluid from the chest to relieve pain and breathlessness.

Pleurectomy

Pleurectomy is the removal of the pleura to reduce pain and to prevent excess fluid build up.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy has not proven successful in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. The reason for this is that it virtually impossible to give sufficient doses of radiation to kill a mesothelioma mass without doing extensive damage to body organs. Radiation therapy helps to improve quality of life, but there’s no evidence that it prolongs life. Radiation treatment is often given after surgery to kill any cancerous cells that remain at the original mesothelioma site. Radiation is most often used to control symptoms and relieve pain.

Compensation

If you or someone you know has mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation. If a diagnosis is made, contact a lawyer that specializes in mesothelioma litigation. Compensation is based on a number of factors, including loss of income as well as loss of future income; the parties that are responsible for the asbestos exposure and the laws in the area where the victim lives. The amount of compensation varies from several thousand to millions. Be sure to document all relative facts and information quickly, as mesothelioma is a very aggressive form of cancer.

Things You Should Know about Mesothelioma

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there are some common facts you should know about the cancer, questions you should ask your doctor and you should definitely know your rights. After the receiving the diagnosis of mesothelioma, you will be shocked, confused and scared. Here is some information that will guide you through the process.

Facts about Mesothelioma

• Mesothelioma is a cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos particles in the air.

• Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor of the mesothelium, which is the protective lining of the abdominal organs, the heart and the lungs.

• The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mestothelioma. It strikes the pleural membrane between the chest cavity and the lungs.

• Family members of laborers who are exposed to asbestos can contact mesothelioma if exposed to a worker’s clothing.

• Workers most at risk are those who come into contact with asbestos, such as ship fitters, asbestos fabrication plants workers, insulation installers and home renovators.

• Mesothelioma spreads rapidly through the mesothelial cells to other organs in the body.

• Smokers are more at risk of contacting pleural mesothelioma.

• Constant chest pain is usually the first symptom of mesothelioma. Others include persistent cough, fever, and swelling of the arms and face.

• After the initial diagnosis patients usually succumb to the disease within two years. This depends on the overall health of the individual and the stage the cancer is in when it is diagnosed. Other factors are also involved, but these are the most predominant.

• Mesothelioma victims can put in a claim against both the asbestos manufacturer and workman’s compensation.

• Some law firms specialize in mesothelioma litigation.

Questions to Ask your Doctor

• Which type of mesothelioma have you diagnosed?

• Has the mesothelioma spread outside of the original site?

• What stage is the cancer in and how will it affect me?

• Do I have treatments options; if so, what are they?

• What type of treatment do you recommend and for why have you chosen it?

• What is my prognosis based on what you have learned at this point in time?

• What side effects and risks can I expect during and after treatment?

• Will the mesothelioma be put into remission and if so how long before it could reoccur?

• When will treatment begin?

• How do I prepare for treatment?

Mesothelioma and your Rights

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with any type of mesothelioma, you are entitled to be compensated. This also extends to family members who have contacted the disease through contaminated clothing. Though amounts awarded vary from one case to another, you could be looking at an amount with six or seven figures.

Being awarded thousands of dollars for asbestos poisoning is not like winning the lottery. Mesothelioma is most often fatal and the symptoms include excruciating pain, among others. Medical costs for treating mesothelioma can be hundreds of thousands of dollars. Legal compensation usually is the means by which the victim pays these bills and assures that his family will be properly provided for.

Identify your Exposure

In order to receive compensation, the mesothelioma victim must be able to prove where, when and for how long he was exposed to asbestos. He must provide the names of distributors, contractors or manufacturers. The onus is on the victim to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that he was exposed to asbestos by a specific asbestos product and also pinpoint the exact location where the exposure took place.

Statute of Limitations

As soon as a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made, the victim should check on the statutory deadlines in his area and file a claim immediately. If a person is only diagnosed during an autopsy, family members may be able to file a claim. This should be done immediately upon receipt of the death certificate that states that the cause of death was mesothelioma. Those who have contacted the cancer through secondary methods may also be eligible for compensation and should look into the matter as soon as they are diagnosed.

A victim must be able to identify the parties responsible for their exposure to asbestos when the claim is filed.

Types of Information Needed

You will need to document the following in order for a mesothelioma claim to have a chance of being successful.

• Work history.
• Work locations
• Brands and types of asbestos that the victim was exposed to.
• Where and when exposure occurred.
• Co-workers names and contact information.

If the mesothelioma patient is not mobile, he will be allowed to conduct depositions either at home or from a hospital. If the victim is terminally ill, required proof of exposure can be provided by a spouse, a close relative or an executor.

The largest amount of compensation usually comes from the manufacturers of asbestos products. Courts tend to award millions of dollars to family members of those who have succumbed to mesothelioma after working in an asbestos factory. Law firms that handle lawsuits for mesothelioma victims work on a contingency basis. This means there is no retainer fee needed and the firm’s payment is a percentage of the mesothelioma compensation award that they win for the victim.

Another compensation source is disability insurance that the victim claims either from a private policy or one that he had through his place of employment. If asbestos exposure can be pin pointed to a specific job location and work site, the victim should then file a claim against his employer.

Most importantly, seek out a law firm immediately upon diagnosis of mesothelioma to ensure the victim’s rights are protected.

Finding the Right Mesothelioma Attorney

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important that you hire an attorney immediately. Most lawyers that specialize in mesothelioma work on a contingency basis. This means that there is no costly retainer fee and that the attorney works for a percentage of the settlement. If he doesn’t win you any compensation, he doesn’t get paid. This is something that rules in your favor because an attorney that works on contingency will do the best possible job It is important that you find a mesothelioma attorney that you trust and have a good working relationship with. Filing a mesothelioma claim can be a lengthy process because there’s a lot of information that must be compiled in the shortest possible time.

Never hire the first mesothelioma attorney that you contact. Shop around. Phone the offices of mesothelioma attorneys and ask if the initial consultation is free. Meet with every mesothelioma lawyer that offers a free consultation before making your choice. Ask bar associations for referrals and check the library. They often have lists of lawyers that deal with certain types of litigation.

Meeting with Prospective Attorneys

When you consult with mesothelioma attorneys, describe your issues in depth, then ask if they are able to take your case. If they agree, ask about fees and if they’re willing to work on a contingency basis. Ask these questions to each attorney you meet with and note his response. This is the time for you and your attorney to build good communication skills. After your attorney listens to your case, ask him to tell you your rights and provide ou with all courses of action that might be taken.

The mesothelioma attorney should take the opportunity during the initial consultation to inform you of how he plans to present your case. It is at this time that you should receive an estimate of his fees. Ask the attorney what experience he’s had in mesothelioma litigation, what the results are and if he can refer you to mesothelioma clients or their families that he has represented previously.

The Final Decision

When you’ve met with three to five mesothelioma attorneys, it’s time to make a decision. Use the notes you’ve made and ask yourself the following questions

• Did the attorney seem genuinely interested in my case?

• Did he listen to me and respond appropriately?

• Did the attorney explain alternate courses of action if there were any?

• Did the attorney explain how he would present your case?

• Which attorney did you feel most comfortable with and did he seem trustworthy?

• Did the attorney seem to care about you and the implications that the mesothelioma will have on your life?

After reviewing these questions, choose the lawyer that is right for you. Visit his office again, ask him to take the case and get a written agreement or a legal contract.

Now that you have the best mesothelioma attorney, it’s time to proceed with your claim. If you have any questions during the filing and presentation of your case, contact your attorney. It’s important that you have peace of mind with all that’s going on in your life.

Source : www.GoogoBits.com