Houston Mesothelioma Lawyers

Contact an experienced Houston asbestos lawyer if you've been diagnosed with asbestosis or if 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 deserve. They are also aware of the state laws and regulations.

The diagnosis of Mesothelioma

In most instances, a specialist will require combination tests in order to diagnose mesothelioma. The most important test to conduct is the biopsy. Doctors remove a small portion of tissue from the affected area and send it to testing. Doctors may also perform an MRI scan or CT scan to determine the extent of the cancer's growth and to collect other information which could be beneficial to the treatment process.

Mesothelioma is a difficult cancer to identify because it may resemble symptoms of other illnesses, such as lung cancer or inflammatory intestinal disease. This can lead patients to be mistakenly diagnosed. Since the time between diagnosis and latency of mesothelioma is lengthy it can take years before a patient is diagnosed.

If a doctor suspects mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers, they will perform a physical exam and take blood samples to check the levels of certain proteins that indicate cancer in the body. They will also check their heart rate and breathing. Mesothelioma is more likely to affect the lungs and abdomen, which is why doctors typically run chest x-rays to check for fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion) or in the abdominal lining (ascites). They can also request an positron-emission tomography (PET), or magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI) to gather more information about the cancer.

A mesothelioma doctor will usually conduct a biopsy using a fine needle to obtain a small sample of cellular tissue for testing. This procedure is carried out under local anesthesia. In certain instances doctors may have to perform surgery on a patient in order to access the tumor and take a larger sample for testing. The most reliable way to determine the presence of Mesothelioma is via surgical biopsies.

An attorney for mesothelioma will be able to assist victims understand their legal rights. They can look over medical records to determine if a patient is entitled to compensation. Compensation can help cover expenses related to caregiver expenses, travel, funeral costs, and loss of income. Mesothelioma lawyers can assist families of victims to file mesothelioma lawsuits before the court to receive 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. This tissue is made up of two layers that have a small amount fluid in between to allow your organs to move freely. The malignant mesothelioma is found in the mesothelium's cells. It can be spread to other organs and cause additional pain.

There are many types of mesothelioma depending on the region of the mesothelium in which the cancer is located. The most prevalent kind affects the tissue that surrounds the lung. This is called pleural mesothelioma. Other, more rare mesothelioma forms can occur in the tissue around your heart (pericardial peritoneal mesothelioma), or in the lining around the testicles. The symptoms differ based the location where the mesothelioma is situated. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing and fever, weight loss and fatigue.

Your doctor can detect mesothelioma with a physical examination and by taking your medical history. They may also order imaging tests, like CT scans or X-rays. Imaging tests are used to test for lumps and abnormalities in the lungs and other body parts. They will also look for a fluid buildup between the lung and the chest wall known as Pleural effusion. This is the most commonly reported symptom of pleural mesothelioma.

A biopsy is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves taking a tiny sample of tissue from the affected area and studying it under a microscope in order to determine if it is cancerous. Your doctor may perform a biopsy by inserting needles into the tumor or by making a surgical cut in the skin.

Your doctor will talk with you about your treatment options after you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma. There are three standard types of mesothelioma treatment which include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Each treatment comes with its own risks and benefits. In addition to these treatments, a few patients have had success with immunotherapy, which uses your body's own immune system to fight cancer.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the mesothelium a layer of tissues that line certain cavities of 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 surrounds your lungs. Other mesothelioma types may develop within the stomach lining or around the heart.

Doctors employ a variety of tests to determine mesothelioma. The first step is an examination of your body and ask about your symptoms. They also rule out other illnesses that might be causing your symptoms. They may order imaging tests like an CT scan or MRI. These scans can detect abnormalities, such as an increase in the size or thickness of the mesothelium.

Blood tests can help diagnose mesothelioma. They can determine how your blood cells, liver and kidneys are functioning. They can also look for mesothelioma-related markers, that are distinct from other cancer types. However, this test isn't perfect and doesn't always pick up mesothelioma.

If your doctor notices that there is fluid in the space around your lungs, they will need to perform a biopsy to make an mesothelioma diagnosis. A small amount of tissue is removed and sent to a lab for analysis. If they are unable to do a biopsy, they will need additional evidence of mesothelioma. This could be due to a history of asbestos or other health issues linked to mesothelioma.

The results of the biopsy will aid doctors in deciding on the best the best treatment. The biopsy will also determine your mesothelioma's stage, or the extent to which the cancer has spread from its initial location. The staging process depends on the location in your body is the mesothelioma and how much of it is located in lymph nodes or other areas of the body.

If pleural mesothelioma is found to be a cause, doctors will often undergo a procedure known as pleurodesis. This involves using a chemical or drug to cause the lung's lining to scar and stick to the lung. This decreases the accumulation of fluid and improves breathing. They could also flush the fluid with a catheter that can be done at home.

Treatment of Mesothelioma

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

Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often resemble those of other diseases. Tests can help doctors confirm the diagnosis, such as an x-ray of the chest and CT scan. Doctors can request a blood test to check for elevated levels that are associated with asbestos exposure. These substances include fibulin-3, mesothelin-soluble the peptides fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related. They can also conduct the thoracentesis procedure in order to eliminate fluid from around the lungs. This aids the doctor in determining whether mesothelioma caused the accumulation of fluid.

Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. It can be used to ease symptoms or reduce the size of tumors. In the case of pleural mesothelioma doctors can drain fluid from the chest (pleurodesis) or remove the tissue that lines the lung and chest wall (pleurectomy). This procedure won't cure cancer, but it will lessen symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Chemotherapy employs chemicals to kill cancer cells. It can be used to ease the process of surgery or to lower the risk of cancer recurrence after surgery (adjuvant therapy). For patients suffering from peritoneal msothelioma doctors can inject chemotherapy drugs that are heated directly in the abdomen.

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses a machine which emits radiation beams into the affected region. This treatment can shrink or kill mesothelioma cancers and can be combined with surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy can cause fatigue, skin problems and hair loss. It can also cause mouth sores, vomiting, and nausea.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should contact a Houston Mesothelioma Lawyer as quickly as you can. A lawyer with experience will assist you in filing a lawsuit against the business responsible for the asbestos exposure. You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills or lost wages, as well as other expenses.

The Houston lawyers at Sutliff & Stout are dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of victims and their families. Contact us for a complimentary consultation today.