Asbestos Cancer - Answers on Diagnosis, Treatment Options, Symptoms, & More.
Mesothelioma is a type of asbestos cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It usually occurs in the lining of the lungs but can also appear in linings in the abdomen or sex organs. This type of s cancer is rarely seen in persons who have not been exposed to asbestos at some point in their lives, but it does occur in some cases. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, pain in the chest area, and coughing up blood. Since these symptoms can be caused by many other illnesses and conditions, it is important to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Mesothelioma that forms in other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, heart, or the testes, may have no symptoms at all until it has progressed to a late stage and tumors have formed. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed only by a tissue sample and biopsy. Mesothelioma can resemble other types of cancer even after a biopsy is conducted--therefore, patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may want to get a second opinion.
Chemotherapy is the only known effective course of treatment available for mesothelioma. Prognosis after a person has been diagnosed with mesothelioma varies, but such factors as overall health at the time of diagnosis, stage of the disease, cell type, and access to treatment affect a patient's prognosis. This type of cancer can lay dormant for decades and remain undiagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage and spread to other organs. A discussion of statistics or survival rates with a patient's doctor can be frightening to some people, and considering the wide variety of factors, it can be difficult to predict the outcome of a particular patient's course of treatment.
There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure because the connection between asbestos exposure and development of this condition is so well-established by medical research. Even a very short-term and low level exposure can lead to mesothelioma, and the condition can arise decades later after the exposure occurred. Asbestos can remain in the flooring or insulation of buildings until they are demolished or renovated, releasing harmful asbestos particles into the air. Asbestos exposure may even occur even being exposed to the clothing of another person in the household of someone who has been around asbestos dust. Thus, it is important for all family members to get checked out when someone in their home has been diagnosed with asbestos cancer.
Compensation may be available for persons who have been exposed to asbestos in their work, home, or other environment and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma subsequent to that exposure. Fortunately, seeking legal help can help patients address costly medical treatment and the harmful effects that they and their families have suffered due to asbestos exposure. Legal compensation can help offset the cost of missed work, and patients may be compensated for the emotional pain and suffering they have experienced as a result of their diagnosis.
