Houston Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or lost a loved one to this rare asbestos cancer, speak with an experienced Houston mesothelioma lawyer. You could be entitled to compensation.
A national asbestos law firm can assist you in getting the compensation you're entitled to. They are also familiar with the state laws and regulations.
The diagnosis of Mesothelioma
In the majority of cases, a mesothelioma specialist will use a variety of tests to determine a diagnosis. The most important test is a biopsy in which doctors remove an insignificant portion of the affected area for testing. Doctors may also conduct an MRI scan or CT scan in order to determine the extent of cancer's growth and to collect additional information that could be useful for the treatment process.
It is difficult to identify mesothelioma due to the fact that it can be a symptom other illnesses such as lung cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases. It is very easy for patients to be mistakenly diagnosed. Since the time between diagnosis and latency of mesothelioma is long, it can take years for a patient to be diagnosed.
A doctor will conduct a physical exam and take blood samples to check for the presence of certain proteins in the body that indicate cancer. They will also examine their heart rate and breathing. Mesothelioma is most likely to affect the lungs as well as the abdomen, so doctors will typically run chest x-rays to look for fluid in the space around the lungs (pleural effusion) or in the abdominal lining (ascites). They may also order an positron-emission tomography (PET), or magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI), to get more information about the cancer.
A mesothelioma doctor will usually take a fine needle biopsy to obtain a small amount of cells to be tested. This procedure is done under local anesthesia. In certain instances doctors may have to perform surgery on a patient in order to reach the tumor and collect a larger sample for testing. The surgical biopsy is usually the most reliable method to diagnose mesothelioma.
A mesothelioma lawyer can be in a position to assist victims in understanding their legal options. They will be able to look over the medical records of a victim and determine the amount of compensation they may be entitled to. Compensation can be used to cover the cost of travel, caregiving costs and funeral costs. Mesothelioma lawyers can help victims and their families bring mesothelioma lawsuits to court to get fair compensation for damages.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
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 a small amount fluid between them, allowing your organs to move freely. Malignant mesothelioma can be found in the cells of the mesothelium and can spread to other areas of the body, causing pain and affecting other organs.
There are various types of mesothelioma based on the location in the mesothelium where the cancer is found. The most common mesothelioma is the one that affects the tissue surrounding the lung. This is known as pleural mesothelioma. Other, more rare 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 the area where the mesothelioma has been located. Symptoms include shortness in breath as well as chest pain, coughing, fatigue and weight loss.
The doctor can detect mesothelioma with physical examination as well as by examining your medical history. They may also recommend an imaging test, such as an CT scan or an X-ray. The imaging tests will look for any lumps or anomalies in your lungs and other parts of the body. They will also check for a buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall, known as Pleural effusion. This is the most frequent manifestation of pleural mesothelioma.
A biopsy is typically required to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing a small sample of tissue and examining it with a magnifying lens to determine if it is cancerous. Your doctor can perform a biopsy by inserting an needle into the tumor or making a surgical cut on the skin.
Your doctor will talk with you about your treatment options once you've been diagnosed mesothelioma. There are three kinds of mesothelioma treatments that are standard that include surgery, chemo and radiation. Each treatment type has its own benefits and risks. Some patients also have success with immunotherapy. This treatment uses your immune system to fight cancer.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is cancer that is found in the mesothelium, an underlying layer of tissue that line specific cavities in the body such as the abdomen or chest. Three out of four cases of mesothelioma can be located in the pleura, which is the tissue that forms the wall around your lung. Other mesothelioma forms in the stomach lining and around the heart.
Doctors use a combination tests to diagnose mesothelioma. They start with a physical exam and ask you to describe your symptoms. They will also rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. They can order imaging tests, such as the CT scan or MRI. These scans may reveal abnormalities such as a tumour or mesothelium thickening.
Blood tests can help identify mesothelioma. These tests can assess the health of your blood cells, kidneys and liver. They also check for signs of mesothelioma which are different from other types of cancer. However this test isn't 100% accurate and it doesn't always identify mesothelioma.
If your doctor notices that there is fluid around your lungs they will need to perform a biopsy to determine if mesothelioma is present. This involves removing a tiny sample of tissue and transferring it to a lab for testing. If they are unable to perform an actual biopsy, they'll have to look for additional evidence of mesothelioma like an asbestos-related history or other health issues that are that are related to mesothelioma.
The results of a biopsy can help doctors determine the most effective treatment. The biopsy can also determine the stage of your mesothelioma or the extent to which the cancer has spread from its original location. The stage of your mesothelioma is based on the site of the cancer and whether it is located in lymph nodes, in other parts of the body, or elsewhere.
If pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed doctors may undergo a procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves using drugs or chemicals to cause the lung's lining to become scarred and stick to the lung. This decreases the accumulation of fluid and improves breathing. You can flush the fluid at home with a catheter.
Treatment of Mesothelioma
The treatment of mesothelioma is dependent on the stage and the location of the cancer. Doctors can decide to treat the disease using surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. columbia mesothelioma lawyer may also combine these treatments.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to those of other diseases. Doctors can confirm the diagnosis by tests such as the CT scan or chest x-ray. Doctors can order tests in the blood to check for elevated levels that are associated with asbestos exposure. These include fibulin-3, mesothelin-soluble to peptides, and fibulin-3. They can also perform a thoracentesis in order to remove fluid 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. It can be used to ease symptoms or reduce the size of tumors. In pleural mesothelioma, physicians may drain fluid from the chest (pleurodesis) or remove the tissue that is lining the chest wall and lungs (pleurectomy). This procedure won't cure the cancer, but it can lessen symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Chemotherapy is the process of using chemicals to destroy cancerous cells. It can be used to make surgery easier or to lower the chance of recurrence of cancer after surgery (adjuvant therapy). In patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma, doctors can also inject heated chemotherapy drugs directly in the abdomen.
Radiation therapy utilizes a machine to send radiation beams to the affected regions. The treatment can shrink or kill mesothelioma tumors and is often combined with surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy side effects include fatigue, skin issues loss of hair, mouth sores and vomiting.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact a Houston Mesothelioma Lawyer as quickly as you are able. A lawyer with experience can assist you in filing a suit against the business responsible for your exposure to asbestos. You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
Sutliff & Stout, Houston's lawyers are dedicated to fighting for justice in behalf of families and victims. Contact us today for a free consultation.