Asbestos Cancer Diagnosis
Cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos is somewhat rare, although not limited to those who actually mined this substance or worked in close proximity to it. And the number of cases that were diagnosed increased during the latter third of the 20th century, namely because the disease manifests after a long period of latency. Asbestos was used more extensively in the industrial sector prior to the 1980s, therefore many are only now being diagnosed with this malignant disease, known as mesothelioma.
Early Stage Diagnosis Nearly Impossible
Mesothelioma presents a difficult challenge to the medical community primarily because the early stages of the disease are difficult to detect. When a person accumulates asbestos fibers in the pleural lining surrounding the lungs, the body generally does not react and the fibers lay dormant for as many as 40 years. A routine chest x-ray will not show this accumulation of microscopic fibers and the individual will show no outward symptoms at this time. Only much later, after the surrounding mesothelial tissue becomes altered and the tumors are already developed, will the natural defense mechanisms of the body notice the change. At this point the pleural lining may fill with fluid, the tissue may tighten and there will be chest pains, a good deal of coughing by the individual and difficulty breathing normally.
Locating The Cancerous Growth
Mesothelioma becomes easy to diagnose once the tumors are numerous. Even though they are usually quite small, many of them have formed and they have a particular shape that makes a positive identification simple. Unfortunately these tumors may contain cancerous cells that have already broken off and are free-floating in the lymphatic fluid. Known as metastasis, this separation of cells from the parent tumor means that the disease is now being carried to other mesothelial tissues surrounding the heart, gut area and abdomen; the patient most likely has other tumors in these areas by the time a positive diagnosis is made.
Stage 3 Diagnosis and Patient Prognosis
Because mesothelioma spreads very quickly once metastasis has occurred, the diagnosis of the disease includes a quite dim prognosis for survival. The usual chemotherapy treatments are not considered an option because the original tumors are no long the main problem for the patient. The tumors in other parts of the body are too numerous to remove surgically, therefore palliative care may be the only option available. Most victims of mesothelioma are diagnosed in Stage 3 of the disease, and are given a life expectancy of between six months and one year.
Information And Legal Advice
Asbestos cancer patients often have few options open to them in terms of treatment of the disease, but there are legal considerations for the family of these individuals. Mesothelioma can afflict persons exposed to asbestos in a secondary manner as well as through the negligence of companies using this material.
If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos or has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease linked to asbestos, find out about your legal recourse and what compensations you may be eligible for. Fill out the form above or call the number listed to connect with a legal advisor specializing in the rights of cancer patients.
