What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that usually starts in the lining in the lungs. Mesothelioma is common in people who have been in danger of being in contact with asbestos, especially in their workplace. While it is not always the cancer’s cause, there is a connection. Mesothelioma is not harmless, in fact, it can be fatal.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is mostly white because it contains magnesium and silicon. It is an irritant that is extremely hazardous because it doesn’t get filtered out by your lungs. It’s incredibly dangerous to your lungs, and sometimes these tiny fibers get stuck, forming tumors.
Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor that starts in the lining of the lungs. This cancer is the malignant cells, the cancer cells themselves, which originate in the tissue lining the lungs. Asbestos, which is commonly found at work places, has also been linked to cause mesothelioma.
The tumor usually grows quite slowly at first, with just a few cells. This can mean that the cancer is more widespread, before symptoms are noticeable. A cough, an unexplained weight loss, or the difficulty of breathing are all symptoms of mesothelioma.
How Do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?
Most people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have no known history of being exposed to asbestos. However, you may have been exposed if you: Were exposed in the past — Many people were exposed to asbestos at some point in their lives but don’t know it because they were exposed to small amounts over time.
They did not have any symptoms from the exposure until decades later when they were diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
A cough, an unexplained weight loss, or the difficulty of breathing are all symptoms of mesothelioma. The most important form of treatment for mesothelioma is chemotherapy. The chemotherapy aims to control the cells of the tumor, thereby preventing them from metastasizing.
The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma depend on which part of the body is affected.
Early stage mesothelioma signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma signs and symptoms are often vague and can occur up to 40 years after exposure to asbestos. They may include: Shortness of breath Persistent cough Chest pain Heartburn Fatigue A loss of appetite Diagnosing mesothelioma Doctors often cannot detect early-stage mesothelioma without doing a biopsy or other tests. Learn more about diagnostic tests for mesothelioma.
Late-stage mesothelioma signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma signs and symptoms may include: Coughing blood Chest or abdominal pain Weight loss Difficulty breathing General fatigue Fever Diarrhea Constant fatigue Infections in the chest area Enlarged lymph nodes in your neck A change in bowel movements Fatigue that doesn’t go away Swelling around the face, arms, legs or trunk.
You may notice some or all of these symptoms, but they can be caused by other diseases as well as mesothelioma. Your doctor will need to make a diagnosis based on your history and a physical exam. In some cases, imaging tests can help provide confirmation for your doctor’s diagnosis.
Causes of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, exposure to asbestos is when you come in contact with asbestos fibers.
History of Mesothelioma Treatment
Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, treatment and supportive care can help manage the disease. Because this disease was so rare in the past, less was known about it and it was more difficult to treat than other cancers.
There have been great advances in treatment options over the past few decades, leading to longer survival times and better quality of life for those who choose treatment. There are even treatment options available for patients with advanced-stage disease.
Treatments Listed For Mesothelioma
The treatment options for mesothelioma will depend on several factors, including the stage of your cancer and its location in your body. Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of these.
The goal of any treatment is to prolong life or improve quality of life. Some people with mesothelioma can be treated so well that they may live for years after their initial diagnosis.
The treatment of mesothelioma is split into two types. One type is the surgical removal of the tumor followed by chemotherapy. The second form of treatment is to use targeted therapies or immunotherapy, which seek to suppress the tumor cells, but not the normal cells.
The three different types of mesothelioma are:
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- Pleural Mesothelioma
- Pericardial Mesothelioma
Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma
Treatment for pleural mesothelioma begins with surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue or fluid. The goal of this surgery is to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life for the patient. Radiation therapy is used in an effort to destroy any remaining cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy is also used in an effort to shrink tumors. These treatments work to cure pleural mesothelioma in approximately 15% of patients.
Pleural mesothelioma survival rate
Pleural mesothelioma survival rate varies greatly based on many factors, including age, type of diagnosis, severity of tumor, and treatment options. Median survival time after diagnosis ranges from 6 months to 3 years; however, some patients have survived more than 30 years after diagnosis.
It is estimated that only 20% of patients live longer than 3 years after being diagnosed with this disease.
According to the American Cancer Society, mesothelioma usually progresses from stage I to IV
Here is more information about each stage of mesothelioma.
Stage 1
In stage 1 mesothelioma, the cancer cells are only present in one area of the pleura or peritoneum and have not spread to lymph nodes or other areas of the body.
Stage 1 is divided into stages IA and IB based on whether cancer cells are present only in the lining of the lung (pleura) or if they have spread to tissues just outside the lining.
Approximately 60 percent of people with cancer will survive their disease for 1 year or longer after they are diagnosed.
Stage 2
In stage 2, cancer cells have spread into nearby tissues but not lymph nodes or other areas of the body.
Approximately 60 out of 100 people (60%) survive their cancer for a year or more after diagnosis.
Stage 3
In stage 3, cancer cells are found in nearby tissues as well as lymph nodes near the lungs and abdomen. In addition, lung function.
Stage 3 mesothelioma survival rates depend on several factors, including the cell type, tumor site and whether it has spread to other organs. A more detailed prognosis will be provided by your doctor after a thorough examination of your case and medical history.
Approximately half (50%) of cancer patients live for one year or longer after their diagnosis.
Stage 4
In Stage 4, Approximately 30% of patients who are diagnosed with cancer can survive the disease for 1 year or more.
Learn about mesothelioma compensation
Get in touch with us today to learn more about how you can file a claim for mesothelioma compensation.
The purpose of this post is to help you learn about mesothelioma compensation and how to get it. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you are probably concerned about how you are going to pay for treatment and whether or not you will be able to take care of yourself and your family.
Treatment for this type of cancer can be extremely expensive and the costs can add up quickly. Not only that, but the treatments may not always be effective. This means that many people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma end up filing bankruptcy in order to avoid financial ruin during their illness.
However, there may be an alternative explanation for how to get compensated for mesothelioma. The first thing that you need to do is talk with a lawyer who has experience dealing with mesothelioma cases.
The lawyer should know what action you need to take in order to make sure that your family’s financial needs are taken care of if something happens to you. It is important that you go through the process carefully because there are some things that can get in the way. For example, if doctors believe that there is a chance that the patient will recover from their illness, they may not approve a claim for compensation.
How to get mesothelioma compensation
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering. Many patients who have been diagnosed with this cancer can receive financial help through various types of compensation.
Workers Compensation
Some people who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace and later contracted mesothelioma may be eligible for workers compensation. Workers compensation is typically given to workers who sustained injuries while they were on the job. There are usually limits placed on how much money can be paid out, depending on the injury sustained.
Group Legal Action
Group legal actions are lawsuits that are filed on behalf of many people who were affected by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos Trust Funds
There are funds set up by companies that manufactured asbestos products and sold them into the masses. These funds can help pay for medical bills, pain and suffering and other damages caused by mesothelioma.
Insurance Claims
If you or a family member’s health insurance covered your treatments, you may be able to make an insurance claim to get some or all of those costs back from your insurance company.
How filed claims for mesothelioma compensation
Tens of thousands of people and families have filed claims for mesothelioma compensation over the past several decades, and many of them have received substantial awards. However, it’s important to understand that filing a claim does not guarantee recovery. In fact, many claims are denied.
The first step in any claim for mesothelioma compensation is to collect as much evidence as possible in support of your case. That includes any supporting documentation from your doctor, such as test results or copies of reports from specialists.
It also includes documentation of the asbestos exposure you’ve suffered through the years, including copies of old building plans, newspaper clippings and anything else that can establish that the exposure took place and led to your disease.
Once you have a complete picture of just how harmful the asbestos exposure was and how long it took to develop into mesothelioma, you’re ready to file your claim for financial compensation. Your attorney will help you prepare and submit all of the relevant information and documentation, so you don’t have to worry about missing anything important.
