Mesothelioma: Diagnosis and Treatment

Although the use of asbestos discontinued in the 1970s, the deadly material still continues to harm thousands of victims. Since 1979, more than 45,000 people throughout the United States have suffered fatalities resulting from asbestos-related diseases. This year alone, it is estimated over 10,000 Americans will die fighting mesothelioma. If you are trying to cope with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, the idea of filing a lawsuit may be unnerving, but both you and your family deserve compensation for the damage caused by asbestos companies neglecting to warn workers about the fatal hazards associated with their products.

Every day Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his top rated team of mesothelioma illness injury lawyers in Buffalo, New York at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. strive to provide the highest level of personal injury service to victims whose exposure to asbestos has caused mesothelioma and other illnesses in Western New York. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has witnessed the ravaging impact that a mesothelioma prognosis can have on a victim’s life, and ultimately their loved ones. In addition to suffering pain or loss of life, mesothelioma sufferers face exorbitant medical expenses. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. recognizes the impact that mesothelioma and other cancers can have on your life and we aim to help ease the financial burdens that you will face so that you can focus on your health and getting the most out of your life.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s team of Buffalo, New York asbestos exposure related mesothelioma attorneys is highly experienced, aggressive, tenacious and hardworking. Our firm is recognized as an American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Personal Injury Law Firm because of our dedication to fighting to obtaining winning results for your injury or asbestos-related diseases. Insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. at least $1,000,000.00, or more, 44 separate times to compensate his clients for their personal injuries and illnesses. Contact us today at 716-839-3939 for your free consultation.

If you exhibit symptoms of mesothelioma, you should seek a medical professional’s evaluation immediately. A doctor will perform necessary physical examinations and review your medical history. Any history of exposure to asbestos can help doctors establish a mesothelioma diagnosis and should be brought to their attention without delay.

Step one in the diagnostic process is to scan for tumors and other abnormalities in the body. Blood tests examine biomarkers to help diagnose mesothelioma, uncover symptoms and reveal past exposure to asbestos. Nevertheless, a biopsy to analyze fluid or tissue from an individual is often necessary to definitively diagnose mesothelioma, determine the cell type and help identify the stage of cancer.

The diagnosing doctor will typically establish a mesothelioma prognosis, which is an estimate of illness’s expected outcome and overall life expectancy.

The principal factors that impact an individual’s prognosis include his or her:

1. Overall health;
2. Type of mesothelioma; and
3. Stage of the cancer.

Additional factors such as cell type, position of the tumor(s) and the individual’s age and gender also influence prognosis.

Malignant mesothelioma has a long latency time and is an extremely aggressive form of cancer, which often allows it to remain hidden until advanced stages. Unfortunately, the average life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient is only 12 to 21 months, with many sufferers surviving less than one year. Various treatments like radiation, chemotherapy and surgery may help increase life expectancy and improve quality of life, but is greatly dependent on each individual’s unique circumstances. Further, clinical trials for those who are eligible may constitute a viable option to help increase their life expectancy.

If you, or a loved one, are suffering from mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos, contact our team of mesothelioma illness injury lawyers in Buffalo, New York today. We will take immediate action to investigate your illness, determine who is liable to you and file a claim to preserve your rights. Insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. over $175,000,000.00 in verdicts and settlements to resolve personal injury and illness claims. Contact us today so that we can help you! We are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week at 716-839-3939.

In cases where the mesothelioma is discovered early on, aggressive treatments may be able to enhance prognosis. Although there is still no cure, in recent years, advanced treatments have been greatly improving patient prognosis. Improved prognosis is mainly a result of new diagnostic procedures, advancements in clinical trials and various experimental treatments.

Once a diagnosis of mesothelioma has been properly verified, patients begin working closely with a mesothelioma specialist to establish a treatment program that will help combat and remove the greatest amount of cancer possible, while providing symptomatic treatment and improving the overall quality of life. When deciding which type of treatment is most appropriate, doctors often take into account the individual’s age, health, overall condition, mesothelioma and cell types. The most influential factors are the stage of the mesothelioma and whether the cancer is localized or spreading.

Surgery can be utilized to remove most or all of the tumor(s), for those with an early stage diagnosis. Individuals with tumors that are unable to be removed by surgery may improve from chemotherapy. Chemotherapy medications attack rapidly growing cancer cells. Research has shown that chemotherapy lengthens life expectancy by several months or even years in some instances. With immunotherapy treatments the average survival expectancy has been shown to be two years or longer. Doctor’s often use targeted radiation therapy, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy and external beam radiation therapy to combat mesothelioma. In a majority of instances, doctors recommend a multimodal course which encompasses surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Multimodal treatment has been proven to increase effectiveness when compared to lone treatment methods.

Additionally, various clinical trials are offered as a last resort for lengthening prognosis in individuals that meet certain criterions. A majority of clinical trials are intended for those in the late stages and/or if the mesothelioma has not reacted positively to standard treatments. Clinical trials often include experimental treatments like gene therapy, immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!