Houston Mesothelioma Lawyers

If you have 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 can assist you in getting the compensation you're entitled to. They are also familiar with state laws and regulations.

Diagnose Mesothelioma

In most cases, a mesothelioma specialist will use a variety of tests to arrive at a diagnosis. The most crucial test to be performed is the biopsy. Doctors will remove a tiny piece of tissue from the affected region and send it to examination. Doctors can also conduct an MRI or CT scan to assess how the cancer has spread in the body and for other information that could be useful to the treatment process.

It is difficult to identify mesothelioma because it can mimic other diseases like lung cancer and inflammatory intestinal diseases. It is very easy for patients to be misdiagnosed. As the latency period of mesothelioma can be long it can take a long time before a patient is diagnosed.

A doctor will conduct a physical examination and take blood samples to check for the presence of certain proteins in the body that could indicate cancer. They will also assess the patient's heart rate and breathing. Mesothelioma is most likely to affect the lungs as well as the abdomen, so doctors will generally run chest xrays to look for fluid in the space around the lungs (pleural effusion) or in the abdominal lining (ascites). They may also order a positron-emission tomography (PET), or magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI), to get more details about the cancer.

A mesothelioma specialist may conduct a biopsy using a fine needle to obtain a small sample of cellular material to test. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia. In certain instances, a doctor will need to perform surgery to access the tumor and obtain more of the tissue to test. The surgical biopsy is usually the most reliable way to diagnose mesothelioma.

A mesothelioma lawyer will be in a position to assist victims in understanding their legal options. They can review medical records to determine if a patient is entitled to compensation. Compensation can help cover expenses related to travel, caregiver costs, funeral costs, and loss of income. Mesothelioma lawyers are also able to 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. The tissue is comprised of two layers, with some fluid between them to allow your organs to move freely. Malignant mesothelioma is found in mesothelium cells and can spread to other areas of the body, causing additional discomfort and affecting other organs.

There are many types of mesothelioma based on the area of the mesothelium where the cancer is located. The most common type affects the tissue that surrounds your lung. This is called pleural msothelioma. Other, less well-known mesothelioma types are found in the tissue surrounding your heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or within the lining of the testicles (peritoneal mesothelioma). The symptoms of mesothelioma differ depending on the location. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath and chest pain, coughing, weight loss, and fatigue.

Your doctor can diagnose mesothelioma by a physical examination and by taking a medical history. They will also order an imaging test, like a CT scan or X-ray. The imaging tests will search for any lumps or abnormalities in your lungs and other parts of the body. They will also look for a buildup of fluid between the chest and lung wall, referred to as the pleural effusion. This is the most common symptom of mesothelioma of the pleura.

A biopsy is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. This involves removing a tiny sample of tissue, and then looking at it with a magnifying lens to determine if it's cancerous. The doctor can perform a biopsy by inserting needles into the tumor, or by cutting a surgical hole in the skin.

If you've been given mesothelioma-related diagnosis, your doctor will discuss the options for treatment with you. There are three mesothelioma treatment options that include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Each type of treatment has its own advantages and risks. Some patients also have positive results with immunotherapy. This treatment utilizes your immune system to fight cancer.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma, a type of cancer, is found in the mesothelium, the layer of tissues that line certain cavities in the body, like the abdomen or chest. Three out of four mesothelioma cases originate in the pleura which lines the space around your lung. Other mesothelioma types may develop in the stomach lining, or around the heart.

Doctors utilize a combination of tests to diagnose mesothelioma. The first step is an examination and inquire about your symptoms. They will also rule out any other illnesses that might be contributing to your symptoms. They can order imaging tests like a CT scan or MRI. These scans can reveal abnormalities such as a tumour or mesothelium thickening.

Blood tests can help identify mesothelioma. These tests can assess how your blood cells, liver and kidneys are working. They also check for markers of mesothelioma, which differ from other types of cancer. However, this test isn't perfect and does not always detect mesothelioma.

If your doctor notices that there is a lot of fluid around your lungs, they'll need to conduct a biopsy in order to diagnose mesothelioma. A small portion of the tissue is removed and sent to a lab to be tested. If they aren't able to conduct the procedure, they will have to look for additional evidence of mesothelioma like the history of exposure to asbestos or other health issues associated with mesothelioma.

The results of the biopsy can aid doctors in making decisions about the best treatment. The biopsy can also determine your mesothelioma's stage, or the extent to which the cancer has spread from its initial site. The process of staging is based on where in your body mesothelioma has been found and how much of it is found 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. The lining of the lung is created to be scarred and stick to the lung with a chemical. This decreases the accumulation of fluid and improves breathing. They might also drain the fluid by using the use of a catheter, which you can do 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 through radiation, surgery, and chemo therapy. Doctors may also combine these treatments.

It can be difficult to identify mesothelioma because the symptoms are often similar to those of other diseases. Doctors can confirm the diagnosis by tests such as the CT scan and chest x-ray. Doctors can also order the collection of a blood sample to test for high levels of certain substances that are linked to asbestos exposure, like fibulin-3 and soluble mesothelin-related proteins. They can also perform a thoracentesis order to drain the fluid from the lungs. This helps the doctor determine if texas mesothelioma lawyer is a reason for the buildup of fluid in the chest.

Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma and can be used to alleviate symptoms or reduce the size of tumors. In pleural pleural cancer, doctors can drain fluid from the chest or remove the tissue that lines the chest and lungs (pleurectomy). This procedure won't cure the cancer, but it can decrease symptoms and increase the quality of your life.

Chemotherapy involves the use of chemicals to kill cancerous cells. It can be utilized to facilitate surgery or to reduce the chance of recurrence of cancer after surgery (adjuvant therapy). Doctors may also use heated chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdomen (intraperitoneal chemotherapy) in patients with mesothelioma of the peritoneal region.

Radiation therapy utilizes a machine to send radiation beams to the affected areas. The treatment can shrink or kill mesothelioma cancers and is a good option to combine with surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy can cause skin problems, fatigue 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 knowledgeable lawyer can assist you bring a suit against the company responsible for your exposure to asbestos. You could be awarded compensation for medical expenses 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 today to schedule a no-cost consultation.