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Mesothelioma Class Action
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is
almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease,
malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that
covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the
pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), but it may
also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the
pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or tunica vaginalis.
The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural
effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain,
and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis may be suspected
with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue
sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube
with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows
the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural
space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating
and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation
therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis.
Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma
is ongoing.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma is a devastating type of
cancer and the people diagnosed with this disease are often told that
the expected survival rate is only eight to twelve months. However, with
the increase in technology, there has been tremendous improvement in the
treatment program. Hence, the specialists in treating mesothelioma at
the leading cancer centers often have better statistics. The treatment
program depends on many factors like stage of the cancer, how far it has
spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope and the patient’s
age and desires. Basically there are three traditional kinds of
treatment for patients with malignant mesothelioma such as Surgery
(taking out the cancer), Chemotherapy (using drugs to fight the cancer)
and Radiation therapy (using high dose x-rays or other high energy rays
to kill cancer). Many a times two or more of these are combined in the
course of treatment.
Mesomark Blood Test was approved in the year 2007 by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), to help monitor response to treatment in malignant
mesothelioma patients. Mesothelioma cancer cells release a specific
protein or biomarker called Soluble Mesothelin Related Peptide (SMRP).
Measuring the amount of SMRP in a blood sample will help the doctors to
monitor a patient’s progress. It is essential for the physicians to
follow certain procedures to qualify their patients for testing.
Informal brochures will be sent to be distributed to each applicable
patient once the physician is certified. Patients have to provide one or
more samples of blood which will be sent to a national reference
laboratory for testing. However, the costs associated with the Mesomark
blood test may not be covered under health insurance.
Mesothelioma Class Action
You may have been recently diagnosed with the terrible and life shattering disease mesothelioma cancer. After you have spoken to your doctor and received your test results and your prognosis and diagnosis, there is another step to take that may change your life and your family’s life forever. The next crucial step to take is that you hire a mesothelioma lawyer immediately. It may even be beneficial to speak to a mesothelioma lawyer before you get confirmation from your doctor. At least you will have the groundwork in place and the mesothelioma lawyer can start to find more information about when and where you were exposed to asbestos. Most lawyers that specialize in mesothelioma work on a contingency basis. This means that there is no costly retainer fee and that the attorney works for a percentage of the settlement. If the mesothelioma lawyer does not manage to win you any compensation, he doesn’t get paid. This is what is more commonly known as a no win, no fee court case. Always read the small print when accepting the help of a mesothelioma lawyer on a no win no fee basis. You may have to pay court fees if you are on the losing side. If this is the case, you may have to find court costs and lawyer costs for the other side. This is something that rules in your favor because an attorney that works on contingency will do the best possible job when presenting your case. Many companies have been set up especially to deal with mesothelioma cancer cases. This is simply because the cases are long and drawn out and can take years to resolve. This means you need someone who is not only qualified to handle your case, but someone who is also dedicated and genuinely caring for your cause.