Mesothelioma Treatment

Things to Be Positive for as a Mesothelioma Patient

June 5, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you are likely going through a tough time trying to adjust to your new normal. You are likely struggling to remain positive while undergoing treatment. The battle with mesothelioma can make you feel like you have nothing to be thankful for. While it is understandable for mesothelioma patients to feel like there is no reason to be grateful, the truth is that there are several reasons to be thankful. As a mesothelioma patient, the following are some of the things you may be thankful for.

#1: Your Support System

Having a reliable support system is one of the biggest blessings when undergoing mesothelioma treatment. It is one of the best coping mechanisms. On days when you cannot do your usual tasks, like cleaning or going to the grocery store, your support system will be there for you.

How to Care for Mesothelioma Patients Before and After Surgery

May 17, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

There is still no cure for mesothelioma. Fortunately, there are various treatment options. One of the ways to treat mesothelioma is through surgery. Mesothelioma surgery can be conducted to cure cancer. This is achieved by removing the tumor from the tissue lining the abdomen or lung. This type of surgery is called curative surgery. Surgery can also be conducted to relieve pain and other symptoms caused by the tumor. This type of surgery is called palliative surgery. Most patients qualify for surgeries that relieve pain and symptoms.

If your loved one has mesothelioma and is about to undergo surgery, you may be wondering how to care for them before and after surgery. Below, we share some of the ways you can care for your loved one before and after mesothelioma surgery.

Caring for Your Loved One Before Mesothelioma Surgery

Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma

May 13, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

Chemotherapy is a common mesothelioma treatment. This form of treatment involves using drugs aimed at killing cancer cells and helping slow tumor growth. Cisplatin and pemetrexed is the most popular mesothelioma drug combination. Other chemo drugs that can be used to treat mesothelioma include carboplatin, vinorelbine, and gemcitabine. And while, often, chemo drugs are given as combinations of two drugs, single drugs can be used in patients who cannot tolerate more than one drug. Read on to learn more about chemotherapy for mesothelioma.

How is Chemotherapy Given?

Usually, chemotherapy is given in cycles, with every treatment period being followed by a rest period. Rest is crucial as it helps the patient’s body to recover. Generally, chemotherapy cycles last about three to four weeks.

Mesothelioma and Self-Esteem

April 11, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

A mesothelioma diagnosis can affect the patient in many ways. These effects can either be short-term or long-term. One of the major ways a mesothelioma diagnosis can affect a patient is by lowering their self-esteem. Self-esteem is how a person values and perceives themselves. It is based on what someone believes about themselves. The physical changes that come after a mesothelioma diagnosis or after a patient starts receiving mesothelioma treatment, such as hair loss, weight changes, and surgery scars, can affect how they feel about their appearance and body image. Also, unproductivity and dependency can lead to a mesothelioma patient having low self-esteem. Luckily, there are steps mesothelioma patients can take to maintain their self-esteem at a healthy level.

How Mesothelioma Causes a Decrease in Self-esteem

Coping with mesothelioma presents great challenges, some of which can negatively affect a patient’s self-esteem. A patient dealing with things such as weight loss/gain, hair loss, and scarring may end up with low self-esteem. When patients look at themselves in the mirror, they want to be happy with what they see. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. Some patients do not like how they look without hair, with more/less weight, or with scars.

Do I Need a Specialist to Treat Mesothelioma?

March 24, 2023 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is a rare disease that develops after a person is exposed to asbestos. Unfortunately, there is still no cure for this rare but fatal illness. However, the good news is there are various treatment options for mesothelioma. If you have a history of asbestos exposure and are experiencing mesothelioma symptoms, you may wonder if any doctor can treat your illness or if you need to find a specialist.

So, do you need a specialist to treat mesothelioma? If you have mesothelioma, you need a specialist to treat you. Not all physicians can treat mesothelioma. A mesothelioma specialist can create a personalized treatment plan for you, depending on your disease type, the stage the disease is in, the cell type, and your characteristics.

Who is a Mesothelioma Doctor?

Things to Know if You are Considering a Mesothelioma Clinical Trial

December 27, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

There is still no cure for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an illness that occurs after a person is exposed to asbestos, a dangerous substance that was widely used in the U.S. before the late 19^th century. However, the good news is that several treatment options are available for mesothelioma patients, and more treatments are being researched. Usually, researchers use clinical trials to investigate more effective treatments. A clinical trial can happen at a specific cancer center or in different cancer centers across the U.S. and other countries.

If you are considering enrolling in a mesothelioma clinical trial, you are likely feeling excited and frightened at the same time. While enrolling in a clinical trial might mean receiving the best treatment and helping other mesothelioma patients, the truth is that a clinical trial is not like a regular visit to the doctor. However, if you understand what to expect, it can prepare you.

The following are some crucial things to know if you are considering a mesothelioma clinical trial.

Complications From Mesothelioma and Mesothelioma Treatment

September 25, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

After mesothelioma develops, complications can arise. Complications can arise due to the illness itself or due to treatment. Because mesothelioma usually affects the pleural mesothelium, respiratory complications are the most common complications from mesothelioma. However, apart from respiratory complications, there are many other complications that mesothelioma patients experience. This article discusses some of the other complications patients experience from mesothelioma and some of the complications patients experience from treatment.

Complications From Mesothelioma

The following are some other possible complications from mesothelioma;

Understanding the Three Main Forms of Mesothelioma

August 12, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is a rare illness involving tumors that develop in the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue covering the internal organs. There are different forms of mesothelioma. Understanding which form of mesothelioma a patient has is quite crucial. When a doctor understands which form of mesothelioma a patient has, they can decide which treatment is needed.

There are three main forms of mesothelioma. They are;

Pleural mesothelioma

What are the Stages of Pleural Mesothelioma?

August 1, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is categorized into different types depending on what part of the mesothelium is affected. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. This form of mesothelioma affects the pleura (the tissue surrounding the lungs). Like any other form of cancer, a comprehensive malignant pleural mesothelioma diagnosis includes determining the disease’s stage. Generally, doctors use staging to see how far cancer cells have metastasized (spread) through the body. When a doctor knows how far cancer cells have spread, they can develop the most effective treatment plan for the patient.

Stages of Pleural Mesothelioma

Usually, a doctor will determine the mesothelioma stage when diagnosing a patient. Mesothelioma stages describe the location, size, and spread of cancer cells. Once a doctor determines the mesothelioma stage, they can develop a treatment plan to improve prognosis and life expectancy.

Mesothelioma and Exercise

July 29, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Medical professionals highly recommend that mesothelioma patients incorporate exercise into their daily routine. Exercise has many health benefits. If you are battling mesothelioma, exercising can help you in several ways. Indeed, exercising when battling mesothelioma can be challenging. That is why it is important to consult your doctor to determine the type of exercise regimen that can work for you. That is why it is crucial to listen to your body and rest when necessary.

Below, we discuss more on mesothelioma and exercise.

Why is Exercise Important for Cancer Patients?