Houston Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lost a loved one to this rare asbestos-related cancer, speak with an experienced Houston mesothelioma lawyer. You may be entitled compensation.
A national asbestos law firm has the expertise to get you the money you deserve. They also understand state laws and regulations.
Diagnose Mesothelioma
In most cases, a mesothelioma specialist will require a series of tests to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. The most important test is a biopsy in which doctors remove a small sample of the affected area to be examined. Doctors can also perform an MRI scan or CT scan to determine the extent of the cancer's spread and gather additional information that could be useful in the treatment process.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because it may resemble symptoms of other diseases like lung cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. It is very easy for patients to be mistakenly diagnosed. As the latency period of mesothelioma is long it can take a long time before a patient is diagnosed.
Once a doctor suspects mesothelioma they will perform a physical exam and take blood samples to check the levels of certain proteins that can indicate cancer in the body. They will also examine the patient's heart rate and breathing. The most frequent 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 and abdominal lining. They may also order an positron-emission tomography (PET) or magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI) to gather more details about the tumor.
A mesothelioma specialist may take a fine-needle biopsy to obtain a small sample of cellular material for testing. This procedure is done under local anesthesia. In some instances, a doctor will need to operate to reach the tumor and collect a larger sample of tissue for testing. The most reliable method 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 medical records to determine if a victim is entitled to compensation. Compensation can be used to cover the cost of travel, caregiving costs and funeral costs. Mesothelioma lawyers can assist families of victims 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 made up of two layers, with some fluid between them so your organs can move easily. The mesothelioma malignancy is located in mesothelium cells. It can grow to other organs, and can cause pain.
There are several types of mesothelioma depending on the area of the mesothelium that the cancer is located. The most prevalent mesothelioma type is one that affects the tissue around the lung. This is known as pleural mesothelioma. Other, less well-known mesothelioma forms can occur in the tissue surrounding your heart (pericardial mesothelioma peritoneal) or in the lining around the testicles. The symptoms of mesothelioma vary according to the location. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath and chest pain, coughing as well as fever, weight loss and fatigue.
Your doctor will diagnose mesothelioma through physical examination as well as by examining your medical history. They may also recommend imaging tests, like CT scans or X-rays. The imaging tests will look for any lumps or irregularities in your lungs and other parts of the body. They will also check for a buildup of fluid between the chest and lung wall, known as pleural effusion. This is the most common sign of pleural cancer.
A biopsy is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing a small sample of tissue, and then looking at it with a magnifying glass to determine whether it is cancerous. The doctor can perform a biopsy by inserting needles into the tumor, or by cutting a surgical hole in the skin.
Your doctor will discuss your treatment options after you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma. There are three types of mesothelioma treatment options including surgery, chemo, and radiation. Each type of treatment comes with its own advantages and risks. In addition to these treatments, a few patients have success with immunotherapy, which uses the body's immune system to fight cancer.
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the layer of tissues that line certain cavities in the body, such as the chest or abdomen. Three out of four cases of mesothelioma can be located in the pleura, which is the tissue that lines the space surrounding your lungs. Other mesothelioma types may form in the stomach lining, or around the heart.
Doctors use a combination of tests to determine mesothelioma. They begin with a physical examination and ask you about your symptoms. They will also rule out any other diseases that could be the cause of your symptoms. They can order imaging tests such as the CT scan or MRI. These scans can reveal abnormalities such as a tumour or mesothelium thickening.
Blood tests can help diagnose mesothelioma. These tests can assess the health of your kidneys, blood cells and liver. They can also check for markers of mesothelioma that differ from other cancers. However this test isn't always perfect and it doesn't always identify mesothelioma.
If doctors discover that you have fluid in the area around your lungs, they will need to do an examination to determine a mesothelioma diagnosis. A small portion of the tissue is taken and sent to a laboratory to be tested. If they aren't able to conduct the procedure, they will have to look for additional signs of mesothelioma, such as an asbestos-related history or other health issues that are related to mesothelioma.
The results of a biopsy will help doctors determine the most effective treatment. They will also determine the stage of your mesothelioma or how far it has spread from its initial location. The stage of your mesothelioma will depend on the site of the cancer and whether it is located in lymph nodes, elsewhere of the body or elsewhere.
If asbestos cancer law lawyer mesothelioma settlement is found to be a cause doctors may undergo a procedure known as pleurodesis. The lining of the lung is formed to form scars and adhere to the lung by using a chemical. This decreases the accumulation of fluid and improves breathing. They can also drain the fluid with an instrument, which you can do at home.
Treatment of Mesothelioma
The treatment for mesothelioma is based on the stage and location of the cancer. Doctors can decide to treat the disease using surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Doctors can also combine these treatments.
It is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma due to the symptoms that are usually similar to those of other diseases. Doctors can confirm the diagnosis by tests such as the CT scan and chest x-ray. Doctors can request an analysis of blood to look for high levels associated with asbestos exposure. These include fibulin-3, mesothelin-soluble the peptides fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related. They can also perform a thoracentesis in order to remove fluid around the lungs. This helps the doctor determine whether mesothelioma caused the fluid buildup.
Surgery is frequently used to treat mesothelioma. It can reduce the size of tumors or alleviate symptoms. In the case of pleural mesothelioma doctors may drain fluid from the chest (pleurodesis) or remove the tissue that is lining the chest wall and lungs (pleurectomy). The treatment isn't able to cure cancer, but it will decrease symptoms and increase your quality of life.
Chemotherapy uses chemicals to kill cancerous cells. It can be used to make surgery easier or to decrease the risk of cancer recurrence after surgery (adjuvant therapy). For patients suffering from peritoneal msothelioma, doctors can also inject heated chemotherapy drugs directly in the abdomen.
Radiation therapy uses a machine to send radiation beams to the areas affected by. This treatment can shrink mesothelioma tumors or kill them. It can be used with surgery and chemo. Radiation therapy side effects 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 soon as you can. A lawyer with experience can assist you in filing a lawsuit against the company that is responsible for your asbestos exposure. Compensation for medical bills as well as lost wages and other losses can be recouped.
The Houston lawyers at Sutliff & Stout are dedicated to fighting for justice for victims and their families. Contact us for a no-cost consultation today.