Houston Mesothelioma Lawyers

Contact an experienced Houston asbestos lawyer if you've been diagnosed or if a loved one has passed away due to this rare cancer that is caused by asbestos. You may be eligible for compensation.

A national asbestos law firm can help you receive the compensation you're due. They also understand laws and regulations of the state.

Diagnose Mesothelioma

In the majority of instances, a specialist will require combination of tests to determine if mesothelioma is present. The most important test is a biopsy in which doctors remove a small sample of the affected area to test. Doctors can also conduct an MRI or CT scan to assess how the cancer has spread in the body, and to gather other information that might be helpful to the treatment process.

Mesothelioma is difficult to recognize, because it can mimic symptoms of other illnesses, such as lung cancer or inflammatory intestinal disease. This can lead victims to get mistakenly diagnosed. Because the time of latency for mesothelioma can be long it can take a long time for a patient to be diagnosed.

A doctor will conduct a physical exam and collect blood samples to test for the presence of certain proteins in the body that could indicate cancer. They will also assess the patient's heart rate as well as breathing. Mesothelioma is more likely to affect the lungs as well as the abdomen, and doctors will typically run chest x-rays to look for fluid in the space around the lung (pleural effusion) or in the abdominal lining (ascites). They can also request a positron-emission tomography (PET), or magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI) to gather more information about the cancer.

A mesothelioma specialist will usually perform a fine needle biopsy to collect a small amount of cells to test. This procedure is carried out under local anesthesia. In certain instances doctors will have to operate in order to access the tumor and collect an additional sample of tissue to be tested for. The most reliable method to detect Mesothelioma is by surgical biopsies.

A mesothelioma lawyer is in a position to assist victims in understanding their legal options. They will be able to review the medical records of the victim and determine what compensation they might be entitled to. Compensation can be used to cover costs related to caregiver expenses, travel funeral expenses, loss of income. Mesothelioma lawyers can assist families of victims file mesothelioma lawsuits in court to get fair compensation for damages.

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. The tissue consists of two layers, with some fluid between them so your organs can move easily. The mesothelioma cancer is found in mesothelium cells. It may spread to other organs and cause pain.

There are several types of chicago mesothelioma lawyers depending on the area of the mesothelium where the cancer is located. The most common kind affects the tissue that surrounds your lungs. This is known as pleural mesothelioma. Other, less common types of mesothelioma can occur within the tissue that surrounds your heart (pericardial mesothelioma peritoneal), or in the lining surrounding the testicles. The symptoms of mesothelioma differ depending on the site of the cancer. In general, symptoms include shortness of breath coughing or chest pain and weight loss, and fatigue.

Your doctor can detect mesothelioma with an examination of your body and by examining your medical history. They may also recommend an imaging test, such as a CT scan or X-ray. The imaging tests will look for any lumps or irregularities in your lungs as well as other parts of the body. They will also look for a buildup of fluid between the chest and lung wall, known as the pleural effusion. This is the most frequent manifestation of mesothelioma of the pleura.

A biopsy is usually required to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing a tiny sample of tissue and examining it under a magnifying glass to determine if it's cancerous. Your doctor may perform a biopsy either by inserting a needle into tumor, or by creating a surgical incision through the skin.

Once you have mesothelioma-related diagnosis your doctor will discuss the options for treatment with you. There are three main mesothelioma treatment options: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Each treatment has its own advantages and dangers. In addition to these treatments, some patients have had success with immunotherapy, which uses the body's immune system to fight cancer.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the layer of tissues that line specific cavities in the body, such as the chest or abdomen. Three out of four cases of mesothelioma are located in the pleura, which is the tissue that forms the wall around your lung. Other mesothelioma types may form within the stomach lining or around the heart.

Doctors employ a variety of tests to determine mesothelioma. They begin with a physical examination and ask you about your symptoms. They will also rule out any other illnesses that might be causing your symptoms. They can order imaging scans, such as a CT or MRI. These scans can identify abnormalities, for example, an increase in the size or thickness of the mesothelium.

Blood tests can also aid in diagnosing mesothelioma. These tests will check the health of your kidneys, blood cells and liver. They can also look for markers of mesothelioma that differ from other cancers. However, this test isn't perfect and doesn't always pick up mesothelioma.

If your doctor observes that there is a lot of fluid around your lungs, they'll need to conduct an examination to diagnose mesothelioma. This involves removing a small sample of tissue and sending it to a lab for testing. If they can't perform the procedure, they will have to look for additional signs of mesothelioma, such as a history of asbestos exposure or other health issues that are related to mesothelioma.

The results of a biopsy will aid doctors in determining the best 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 process of staging depends on the location in your body is the mesothelioma and how much of it is located in lymph nodes or other areas of your body.

When pleural asbestosis is identified doctors usually perform a procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves the use of a chemical or drug to cause the lining of the lungs to be damaged and adhere to the lung. This helps reduce the buildup of fluid and improves breathing. You can drain the fluid at home by using the help of a catheter.

Treatment of Mesothelioma

The treatment for mesothelioma is dependent on the stage and location of the cancer. Doctors may decide to treat the cancer with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Doctors can also combine these treatments.

It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma due to the symptoms that are often similar to those of other illnesses. Doctors can confirm the diagnosis with tests like an CT scan and chest x-ray. Doctors may also request the collection of a blood sample to test for elevated levels of specific substances linked with asbestos exposure, including fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related proteins. They can also perform an invasive thoracentesis procedure to eliminate fluid from the lungs. This can help the doctor determine if mesothelioma is the cause of fluid buildup in the chest.

Surgery is commonly used to treat mesothelioma. It can decrease tumor size or relieve symptoms. In pleural pleural cancer, doctors can drain fluid from the chest or remove tissue that connects the chest and lungs (pleurectomy). The treatment isn't able to cure cancer, but it can lessen symptoms and improve the quality of your life.

Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals to eliminate cancerous cells. It can be used to ease the process of surgery or to lower the chance of recurrence from cancer after surgery (adjuvant therapy). Doctors can also inject heated chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdomen (intraperitoneal chemotherapy) in patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses a machine that sends radiation beams into the affected region. The treatment may reduce or eliminate mesothelioma tumors and is a good option to combine with surgery and chemotherapy. Side effects of radiation therapy include fatigue, skin issues, loss of hair, mouth sores and vomiting.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should contact a Houston Mesothelioma Lawyer as quickly as possible. A lawyer with experience will help you file a suit against the company responsible for the asbestos exposure. Compensation for medical bills as well as lost wages and other losses can be recovered.

Sutliff & Stout, Houston's lawyers are dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of families and victims. Contact us now for a free consultation.