Atlanta Mesothelioma Lawyers

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you must seek immediate treatment and legal advice. Mesothelioma victims and their families may be entitled to compensation. A qualified Atlanta mesothelioma lawyer will advise upon the best course of action for possible lawsuit and litigation actions.

Who is at risk for developing Mesothelioma?

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. An increased risk for developing mesothelioma was found amount people who work in asbestos mines and mills, shipyards, workers in the heating and construction industries, automobile mechanics, and other trades people. People who knowingly work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk to exposure. In other cases, companies are negligent and don’t provide protective measures. This is why these companies need to be brought to justice and you need to get the compensation you deserve.

Symptoms and Treatment of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The symptoms of mesothelioma may take years to appear. Some common symptoms of mesothelioma are: excessive fatigue, acute pain in the abdominal region and chest area, and shortness of breath.

Standard treatment of mesothelioma include: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or a combination of treatment and medications. These mesothelioma treatments are very expensive but with a knowledgeable Atlanta mesothelioma lawyer by your side, you should not have to worry about your medical bills.

A Few Facts about Mesothelioma

• The symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear for decades after exposure. You may have recently developed asbestos cancer from a job you left decades ago.
• The average survival term after diagnosis with mesothelioma is twelve to eighteen months.
• The courts in most states are generally reasonable; they understand the urgency of mesothelioma lawsuit and often will help expedite it.
• In the U.S., about 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed annually.

What should I do after being diagnosed with mesothelioma?

Once you are diagnosed with mesothelioma and receiving the proper care and treatment by a professional medical team, you should immediately seek legal advice and counsel from a knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer who has experience in such cases. Your mesothelioma diagnosis will require medical and legal advice, which is where a qualified Atlanta mesothelioma lawyer can help you. A qualified Atlanta mesothelioma lawyer will be able to tell you everything you need to know about your legal rights and the amount of compensation to expect. Mesothelioma lawyers have the expertise in settling mesothelioma cases. You deserve the best treatment both medically and legally, so seek the aid of a qualified Atlanta mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.

Where can I find a Mesothelioma Lawyer?

You can find mesothelioma lawyers or law firms in your area. Your local phone book directory should have mesothelioma lawyers listed. You can also do a search on the internet; most mesothelioma lawyers have their own website. You can also ask your doctor for a professional recommendation and referral to a mesothelioma doctor.

Survival Rate of Mesothelioma

Individuals between the age group of 50 and 70 years are more likely to get the disease due to the long latency period. However, a survey conducted in 2007 revealed that the disease affects more people between the age group of 30 to 40. Based on industry and occupation, statistics indicate that people working in industries such as construction, railroad, shipyard, manufacturing and automobile industries are likely to be exposed to asbestos, with the construction industry having about 1.3 million people being exposed to asbestos.

The statistics on the study of mesothelioma also indicates that the life expectancy of people with the disease to be at least one year. However, with early detection and aggressive mesothelioma treatment, the life expectancy may increase up to two to five years. Studies also indicate mesothelioma can be a silent killer as the symptoms associate with the disease lies inactive in the body for very long periods ranging between ten to fifty years. As symptoms are likely to appear only in the later stages of the disease, this reduces the survival chances of the patient.

Mesothelioma Survival Rates

The disease is hard to detect as symptoms take the form of a simple upset stomach or simple breathlessness. As result, the disease is already in an advanced stage when finally diagnosed. This leaves them with just over a year left to live at this stage in spite of getting the best treatment possible.

Even though mesothelioma statistics have shown that it has been active over the past 100 years, records of the average survival rate of patients’ dates back to just 20 years. The study also revealed that the survival period for this type of cancer is within one to five years following a diagnosis. For those diagnosed between 1998 and 2002, the survival chance for these individuals is about 9%. Some of the factors that affects mesothelioma survival rate are:

• The early detection of the disease
• The complexity of the disease
• Size of the tumor
• If the tumor can be removed via surgery
• The quantity of fluid in the chest or abdomen
• The age and general health of the patient
• The type of cancer cells

For the pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, the survival rate is under a year. However, mesothelioma specialists believe that the survival period is longer despite findings derived via clinical trails. According to various medical literatures, the average survival rate is between 4 to 18 months. The survival rate for people diagnosed and treated in the earlier stages of the disease is not very clear and the timeframe can differ from person to person.

Mesothelioma Research

Extensive Mesothelioma research is undertaken by many organizations. Various companies using asbestos are also initiating their own research. This is because more and more people diagnosed with the disease are seeking compensation, and has resulted in these companies paying out huge amounts of money. The National Institute of Cancer is also conducting continuous mesothelioma research on the cause, symptoms, diagnosis as well as the cure and treatment of the disease.

Due the increase in demand for representation of patients seeking compensation, many law firms are also conducting their own research to understand more about the disease. Drug companies, research groups, and government organizations with the hope of bringing about a cure for the disease as well ways of increasing the survival rate among the patients usually provide funding for ongoing research.

Treatment for Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

Patients easily breathe in asbestos due to its minute particles size. These particles then become embedded deep inside the lungs where they cause either scarring (asbestosis) or lung cancer. If these fibers travel from the lung into the blood stream, they may enter other parts of the body such as the peritoneum and the lining covering the abdominal cavity, and may result in abdominal mesothelioma.

Life threatening mesothelioma affects various sections of the serous membrane including the pleura (lung cavity), the peritoneum (abdominal cavity), the pericardium (heart sac), and very rarely the lining around the testicles. The disease is categorized based on the serous membrane affected by the disease (pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial mesothelioma) and are divided into three types based on cell type or histology that reveals the microscopic structure of organic tissues. These are:

• Epithelioid Mesothelioma
• Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
• Biphasic Mesothelioma

Diagnosis

When an X-ray or CT scan shows signs of mesothelioma, a biopsy needs to be undertaken. This helps doctors to determine the extent of the malignancy. The intensity of the disease can be evaluated by finding out the stage of the disease, the location and sizes of the tumors along with a medical history of the patient. When the disease is in its advanced stage, treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgical treatment is ineffective if administered alone. A collective approach that includes two to three therapies together, such as using chemotherapy before surgery has shown tremendous benefit to the patients. To date, new medicines have also been introduced to target the genetic material directly.

Treatment Options

Although there is no complete cure for this disease, some conventional as well as innovative methods for treatment are now being administered to treat abdominal mesothelioma. The most common method of treating this disease is by using a combination of treatment options such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The usage of a combination of treatment methods or multiple treatment methods is referred to as the multimodality approach. New treatment options are being considered, currently under clinical assessment. A clinical trial involves a research study performed by doctors and then tested on patients. The common mesothelioma treatment options are:

• Surgery: Various surgical treatments are used on patients with malignant mesothelioma such as:
• Wide Local Excision: This involves surgery on a particular area of the body in order to remove the tumor.
• Pleurectomy: this involves removing a section of the covering of the lungs, the lining of the chest and part of the outside surface of the lungs that affected by the disease.
• Extrapleural Pneumonectomy: involves the removal of one whole lung and part of the lining of the chest as well as the diaphragm and the lining of the sac around the heart affected by the disease.
• Pleurodesis: is a kind of surgical procedure using chemicals or drugs to make a scar in the area between the layers of the pleura or the membrane covering the chest cavity. This procedure helps to drain out the fluid collected with the help of catheter or chest tube and the chemical or drug placed into the space. The scarring is able to control the collection of fluid in the pleural cavity.

Chemotherapy and Radiation

Chemotherapy or radiation therapy is administered on the patients after surgery to kill all cancer cells that might have been left behind. The treatment given after surgery to increase the effectiveness of the treatment and improve the chances of a cure is called adjuvant therapy.

Radiation treatment is usually combined with surgery where the radiation treatment uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells, restrict their growth and trim down the tumors. There are two types of radiation therapy. The first involves external radiation therapy where radiation is administered from outside the body and is aimed toward the area of the cancer inside the body. The other is internal radiation therapy that is administered by inserting radioactive substances in sealed in needles, seeds, wires or catheters inside the body.

During chemotherapy, the patient is given chemicals that stop the growth of the cancer cells by killing or stopping them from multiplying. In the case of systemic chemotherapy, the chemical or drug is either administered through the mouth in a pill form or injected into a vein or muscle where they enter the bloodstream and attack these cancer cells. For regional chemotherapy, the chemotherapy is placed directly into the spinal column, an organ or a body cavity such as the abdomen where the drugs attack the cancer cells in these specific areas.

Rising Percentage of Mesothelioma Cancer

About the Disease

Mesothelioma cancer affects people who are at the age group of 50 to 70 years due to the long latency period of the disease. However, recent statistics have shown that the number of people affected by this disease also indicates the age group of 30 to 40. In addition, these statistics indicate that mesothelioma is likely to be found in people working in industries that predominantly include construction, railroad, shipyard, manufacturing and automobile industries with the majority being in the construction industry with about 1.3 million people being exposed to asbestos.

The mesothelioma statistics also indicate the life expectancy of people with this disease to be an average of one year with a five-year survival rate being about 9 percent. When a patient receives aggressive treatment following early detection, the survival period is between two to five years.
The death toll for people who have died from mesothelioma averages around 230,000 nationwide to date. The average cost incurred by each patient is estimated at $400,000 to $800,000 for treatment and other related expenditures.

Rising Percentage

Statistics indicate that as much as 2,500 to 4,000 patients in the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases every year. According to experts in the field, this number will continue to increase in the United States for at least another 10 to 20 years due to the late latency period. The rising percentage has led to many countries banning the use of certain types of asbestos products; however, it is still being used, as there are about 5,000 asbestos-containing products available in the market.

In addition, the statistics also indicate that as much as 8 million people in the US have had asbestos exposure and it is one of the most significant threats to workers in specific occupations such as construction. Studies also indicate that the death rate of asbestos insulation workers due to mesothelioma is up to 344 times more than the other related diseases. The high mortality rate with this disease is due to it being diagnosed at the advanced stage. It is estimated that by 2030, asbestos will have 60,000 more mesothelioma victims. To date, over half a million asbestos and mesothelioma victims seeking compensation have filed injury claims.

On-going investigations on mesothelioma deaths also indicate that the number of cases related to the disease is much larger in the construction industry than in the number of people working on railroads. These high-risk industries are the leading cause for the rise in mesothelioma deaths. It is also shocking to know that most mesothelioma deaths result from people working in smaller industries or industries not traditionally related to asbestos. This is because these people work in close proximity to old buildings with decaying asbestos.

The Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain revealed shocking figures associated with the rising numbers of mesothelioma deaths along with details on the areas of the disease with the highest mortality rates. The survey revealed that mesothelioma associated deaths are highest among men than women, about 15% of the yearly mesothelioma deaths are among women with the rest among men. The number of deaths linked to the disease has been increasing since the 1960s, and is expected to peak by 2015 due to the latency period. Recent studies conducted also indicate:

• The annual number of mesothelioma deaths has increased from 153 in 1968 to 1969 in 2004.
• Occupations most dangerous for mesothelioma among men are shipyard workers, rail vehicles body builders, gas fitters, carpenters and electricians
• The maximum number of mesothelioma deaths based on industry is in construction, energy as and water supply industry apart from manufacturing industry.

Practice of Mesothelioma Surgeons

Even though there no cure is for mesothelioma, scientists have developed various treatment methods to help reduce the suffering associated with the disease, surgery being the most common method utilized. Mesothelioma specialists may recommend surgery to remove the main mesothelioma tumor and nearby tissues taken over by these cancerous cells. However, if the mesothelioma is at its advanced stage, then mesothelioma surgery may prove difficult, as the tumor is likely to have spread to other areas.

For such a case, surgeons are likely to remove the excessive fluid from around the chest or abdomen area to provide pain relief. Before undergoing mesothelioma surgery or other alternative methods of treatment, patients must discuss any potential risks or adverse side effects that may occur with the mesothelioma specialist prior to taking a decision. Mesothelioma surgery is usually combined with chemotherapy or radiation. Through this combined treatment, the mesothelioma tumor is either reduced or removed and further tumor growth is controlled or stopped.

Surgery for Pleural Mesothelioma

There are different types of surgical practices that mesothelioma surgeons employ based on the type of mesothelioma cancer. They include:

• Pleurectomy or Decortication Surgery: involves the removal of the infected lung and surrounding area. This leads to a reduction of the size of the tumor along with reduced pain due to less pressure on the chest cavity. It also controls fluid accumulation. The treatment is considered to be palliative (reduces pain. but is not a cure). When combined with radiation and chemotherapy, this form of mesothelioma treatment has proved to increase the life expectancy of the patient. Another advantage of this type of mesothelioma surgery is that it has a low mortality rate as compared to more invasive mesothelioma surgery such as extrapleural pneumoectomy. This surgery is not possible if the tumor growth is extensive in the pleural space.
• Pneumonectomy Surgery: involves the removal of the entire lung. This type of surgery is employed when the cancer is in its advanced stages in order to relieve pain.
• Thoracentesis Surgery: involves draining excessive fluid from the lungs with the help of a needle. This eases breathing problems and relaxes the pressure on the lungs.
• Extrapleural Pneumonectomy Surgery: is an advanced type of surgery and complicated procedure performed during the initial stages of mesothelioma. It involves the total removal of the linings surrounding the lungs, linings around the heart and diaphragm to prevent further spreading of mesothelioma. This type of surgical procedure allows for the removal of extensive amounts of tumor cells.

Post- mesothelioma surgery usually involves radiation and chemotherapy to prevent further spreading of the disease. This type of mesothelioma surgery slows down the advancement of mesothelioma and improves the quality of life in some patients. Patients have an average survival time of 35 months as compared to a survival time of 9 months for those treated with palliative or pain–reducing treatment.

Surgical Practices Utilized for Other Types of Mesothelioma

Pericardial Mesothelioma

For pericardial mesothelioma, mesothelioma surgeons employ similar processes such as tissue removal to relieve pain and discomfort. This however does not cure the disease completely. Mesothelioma surgery is usually the last resort for patients as this process is expensive and not covered by most insurance companies.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma surgery is usually not possible for everyone. If at all it is possible, then patients undergo a peritonectomy surgery to remove the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). Recently, doctors have introduced a new technique of surgery called ‘cytoreductive surgery’ for the treatment of this disease. In this technique, they conduct six different types of peritonectomy procedures to extract the maximum amount of the tumor. They then administer post surgery- chemotherapy directly to the peritoneal cavity.

Some doctors also administer a type of chemotherapy that is heated to a few degrees above body temperature referred to as hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIIC). This has proven to be very effective resulting in a survival rate of about 5 years. However, this process is still under clinical trail.

Thoracospic Surgery

Mesothelioma surgeons also utilize a video-assisted surgical technique referred to as ‘thoracoscopic surgery’ (VATS) for mesothelioma diagnosis. In this, various biopsies of the pleural lining, nodules, masses, and pleural fluid are done through a minimal invasive procedure along with other therapies such as pleurodesis for pleural effusions. Several small ports or incisions are made through the chest wall wherein a small camera is inserted along with specific instruments to take samples of tissue. With the help of a video screen, displayed images captured by the camera enables surgeons to complete all the necessary procedures. This procedure is a more viable option as compared to a thoracotomy, which involves a larger incision in order to reach the chest cavity.

Mesothelioma Specialists around US

There are two main treatment options for individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma:

• Standard Treatment: which includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy and is normally cheaper than the specialized types
• Focused Specialized Treatment: normally handled by a mesothelioma specialist which includes surgery

Any well equipped local health care facility will have the necessary equipment needed to perform these procedures, otherwise patients will need not travel to one that offers these services. However, most of the time, the situation is so critical that a mesothelioma specialist is required to administer treatment in order to provide immediate relief for the various symptoms.

Need for Mesothelioma Specialists

Owing to the seriousness of the condition, patients need to get special attention that local hospitals may not be able to provide. Mesothelioma specialists are capable of giving a surgical evaluation as well as suggest internal radiation therapy or other forms of specialized treatment. Some of the various forms of mesothelioma specialists include:

• Oncologists: – are specialists trained in treating cancer patients. There are two types of oncologists. Medical oncologists use chemotherapy while radiation oncologists use in internal or external radiation treatments.
• Pulmonologists: – specialize in treating patients with lung cancer
• Thoracic surgeons: – specialize in chest surgery from their training in removing the mesothelioma growth
• Radiologists: – are specialists who analyze imagings such as X-rays and CAT scans.

Patients require the services of mesothelioma specialist not only for diagnosis and treatment of the disease but also during the recovery period especially if the patient has undergone surgery. In addition, they are well versed with various techniques of post-operative care. They also implement evaluation of the health condition of the patients with emphasis placed on their age, tolerance level and mental health. Surgery done on individuals with good health show a high success rate of recovery, while those with poor health prior to surgery may experience complications, and normally have reduced success rate.

In addition, doctors must administer great care when administrating chemotherapy and radiation treatments as well as any other alternative treatments. These patients require perfect evaluation by the specialists for treatment options such as immunotherapy, gene therapy or clinical trials.

Mesothelioma specialists also offer advice to patients on pre-treatment preparation which is an important part of any medical procedure ranging from surgery to other alternative forms of treatment. They advise patients on the importance of adopting healthier lifestyles which included changes in the diet and medication.

Mesothelioma Specialist in and around the United States

As mesothelioma is considered to be a rare disease, most general physicians are not very familiar with mesothelioma diagnosis, progression and treatment. As a result, individuals diagnosed with the disease travel to far distances to consult with a mesothelioma specialist who can then address the illness in a systematic way. These specialist develop a plan to treat patients based on the developmental stage of the illness. Considering these aspects, it is usually advisable for patients to source a list of mesothelioma specialists in and around their area and analyze their track record prior to deciding on which one to opt for. Below is a list mesothelioma specialists operating within the United States:

• Valerie W Rush (FACS): – is a Thoracic Surgeon working with Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and specializes in treating patients with cancer of the lungs, oesophagus, mediastinum or chest wall. She has also successfully conducted research in the area of lung cancer and mesothelioma as well as clinical trials for mesothelioma.
• Paul H Sugarbaker (MD; FACS; FRCS) Director, Surgical Oncology, Washington Cancer Institute: – specializes in peritoneal mesothelioma with a focus on surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
• Robert N Taub (MD) Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York Presbyterian Hospital: – has extensive experience in the field of medical and clinical oncology.
• Mary Louise Keohan (MD), Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York Presbyterian Hospital: – has been treating as well as conducting various studies on patients with mesothelioma.
• Gregory P Kalenkerion (MD), Co-Director of Thoracic Oncology, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center: – has been developing innovative clinical trials on patients with mesothelioma.
• Joseph S. Friedberg (MD) Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: – is responsible for various surgical and therapeutic clinical trials that have had positive effects on mesothelioma.