Diagnosing Asbestos Disease
Nationwide Mesothelioma Attorneys
The Throneberry Law Office can guide clients to quality doctors who can diagnose and treat mesothelioma. We provide swift action and aggressive representation to secure the financial resources to cover the medical care and lost earnings. Our firm takes cases throughout the United States and we will travel to you.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma or Asbestosis
In early stages of the disease, mesothelioma may not have any visible symptoms and is very hard to detect. In the later stages, certain symptoms begin to develop and are usually caused by the growth of cancer and its pressure on certain nerves.
Pleural Mesothelioma:
- Lower back or chest pain
- Continual cough
- Shortness of breath
- Husky voice
- Weight loss of 10 percent or more
- Fever or sweating
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chronic fatigue or easily fatigued by exertion
- Forgetfulness or memory loss
Peritoneal Mesothelioma:
- Abdominal pain
- Swollen abdomen
- Feeling sick
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden weight loss
- Constipation and diarrhea
Some of the above symptoms, especially chronic breathing problems and fatigue from minimal activity, can also be indications of other asbestos disease, such as asbestosis or lung cancer. Of course, these may be symptoms of a completely unrelated illness. However, if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past or if the symptoms persist, it is very important that you consult with your physician or health care provider immediately. See Questions for the Doctor.
Getting the Diagnosis
The first step to diagnosing mesothelioma is a complete evaluation of a patient's medical history to determine symptoms and any past asbestos exposure, as well as a complete physical. In addition, physicians may request an MRI scan or X-ray of the abdomen or chest region to help determine the location and size of the tumor.
With pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, tell-tale fluid (effusion) may collect in the chest or abdominal region. Physicians may use a procedure known as fine needle aspiration to obtain a sample of this fluid for further testing. This procedure can be used to drain the effusion to temporarily relieve chest pain or other symptoms.
Common procedures in diagnosing the disease include:
- Thoracoscopy — In diagnosing pleural mesothelioma, a doctor may use a special instrument called a thoracoscope to examine the patient's chest cavity. This test involves an incision in the chest wall and insertion of the scope between the patient's ribs. If the doctor finds fluid collected in the patient's chest, it will be drained out of the chest cavity through a needle.
- Peritoneoscopy — In suspected peritoneal mesothelioma, the doctor will insert a peritoneoscope into an opening made in the patient's abdomen. If fluid is found in the abdomen it will be drained with a needle through a process called paracentesis.
- Biopsy — A tissue sample is surgically extracted, during one of the above procedures or in a separate operation. If cancer is found in the patient's lungs or abdomen, the sample will be examined by the doctor to determine appropriate treatment.
Stages of Mesothelioma
Upon a confirmed diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, the next step is evaluation the stage of the disease. Physicians may conduct CT (computer tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans to assess the progression and appropriate treatment. The four stages of mesothelioma are:
Stage 1 — The tumor is found in the pleura with or without some involvement of the lung, pericardium (lining of the heart) or diaphragm.
Stage 2 — The tumor is found in a stage 1 location, plus involvement of some lymph nodes in the chest.
Stage 3 — The tumor has extended into the chest wall, ribs or heart, through the diaphragm or into the peritoneum (the abdominal lining). There may be involvement of the lymph nodes.
Stage 4 — The tumor has spread through the bloodstream to distant sites.
What Next?
The treatment options depend on the stage of the disease. Medical advances have significantly increased life expectancy and quality of life, but mesothelioma is still ultimately fatal. The earlier the cancer is detected, the more likely that life can be extended by months or even years with surgery, radiation or drugs. In later stages, as the cancer is widespread, medical care focuses on pain management and patient care to make life as comfortable as possible for the person.
Our founding attorney, Michael Throneberry, has personal experience with mesothelioma. His father succumbed after a brave battle with the disease, and Mr. Throneberry has lived the nightmare of tending to a family member who is in great pain and knows he's dying. Since then, he has devoted his law practice to advocating for others with mesothelioma or asbestosis.
We Help Clients Nationwide
Call us toll-free at 888-356-0346 for a free consultation. Our lawyers and staff are here to provide both legal help and compassionate support to victims and their families.
