About Mesothelioma
with offices in Maryland - Pennsylvania - Delaware - Tennessee
Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of mesothelioma may be difficult. Diagnosis is made by a pathologist after microscopic analysis of the patient's tissue.
Treatment
Treatment options for mesothelioma are limited and include:
- Fluid Removal - In the early stages of the disease, when chest pain and shortness of breath are due to the accumulation of fluid, the fluid may be removed through a needle injected into the pleural cavity.
- Surgery can be used to remove part of the tissue lining the chest and/or part of the affected lung.
- Chemotherapy employs the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is generally administered intravenously.
- Radiation Therapy uses high-doses of intense x-rays to try to kill cancer cells.
Prognosis
Although many forms of cancer are amenable to surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy, unfortunately, these treatment methods are not usually successful in treating mesothelioma. The average survival time is between 18-36 months from date of diagnosis. Fifty percent (50%) of patients die within a year of their diagnosis. There are, of course, exceptions. Younger, healthier patients who are diagnosed and treated at an early stage may survive longer. A recent study indicates that a chemotherapy regimen of two drugs -- Cisplatin and a new drug called Alimta (Pemetrexed) -- appears promising in improving survival and decreasing symptoms.
The Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos is a nationally recognized law firm in the area of asbestos disease. Over the years, we have successfully represented hundreds of individuals diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, and we can help you or your loved one too.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, or is suffering from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, we would like to help.
E-mail or call one of our mesothelioma lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
