Diagnosing Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma
Information
How Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Abdominal pain
Chronic fatigue
Fever
Loss of appetite
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Frequent coughing
Unexplained weight loss
When you experience any combination of these symptoms and are aware you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, it is in your best interest to get screened for mesothelioma. To start, schedule an appointment with your doctor and explain your symptoms. You should emphasize your past asbestos exposure when going over your medical history and be prepared to advocate for yourself. Your doctor should then conduct a physical exam (specifically looking for lumps or abnormalities) followed by a series of basic diagnostic tests, which may include blood work, x-rays, or imaging tests. These tests alone cannot lead to a definitive mesothelioma diagnosis, but they can eliminate other possibilities.
Once more common explanations for your symptoms have been ruled out, your doctor will typically proceed with more sophisticated and targeted tests. These procedures are designed to specifically look for mesothelioma and other cancers. They may include positron emission tomography (PET) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, echocardiograms, and/or computed tomography (CT) scans.
If your condition cannot be identified at this point and your doctor believes mesothelioma may be a possibility, they will likely advance to a biopsy. This procedure removes and examines a sample of the concerning fluid or tissue and is the only way to reach a reliable mesothelioma diagnosis.
Can Mesothelioma Be Detected Early?
Unfortunately, there is no completely dependable technique for catching mesothelioma before symptoms appear at this time. Again, it may take multiple decades after asbestos exposure before the disease makes itself apparent. Research into new early detection methods is ongoing. Still, if you ever worked in an at-risk occupation for asbestos exposure or are aware of past asbestos exposure, you should consider regular screenings, which may include chest x-rays and pulmonary function tests.
Diagnosing mesothelioma early can improve prognosis and dramatically extend life expectancy. Additional treatments may be available for patients with stage 1 or stage 2 mesothelioma, for example. Some treatment is better than no treatment, so even patients with stage 3 and stage 4 mesothelioma will benefit from getting an accurate diagnosis as early as possible.
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Family Matters.
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Family Matters.
Why Is It Difficult to Get an Accurate Mesothelioma Diagnosis?
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer, and only approximately 3,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Consequently, many doctors are unfamiliar with it and may not initially know how to recognize symptoms and order the appropriate testing required for an accurate diagnosis.
Further complicating matters, mesothelioma shares many of its symptoms, including coughing and difficulty breathing, with other more common diseases. This can lead to a misdiagnosis, especially if your doctor has not encountered mesothelioma before.
Benign fibrous tumor
Empyema
Interstitial lung disease
Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Flu
Lung cancer
Crohn’s disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Ovarian cancer
Sarcoma
Diverticulitis
Ischemic colitis
Peritoneal carcinomatosis
Uterine cancer
Atrial myxoma
Heart disease
Lupus
Tuberculosis
Cardiomyopathy
Heart failure
Metastasis
Benign adenomatoid tumor
Scrotal hernia
Epididymitis
Spermatocele
What to Do after a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
If you were recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should immediately get in touch with a specialist who can verify the accuracy of your diagnosis and walk you through treatment options. Treatment for mesothelioma can vary depending on the stage and specific type of cancer. Common treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. One or a combination of these treatments can greatly extend life expectancy, and a specialist can determine which treatment plan is best suited for you and your needs.
Additionally, because mesothelioma is in many cases triggered by occupational asbestos exposure, you should speak to a legal professional about your rights and legal options. Those affected by mesothelioma are often able to obtain compensation through one of several legal avenues, which may include filing a lawsuit, a claim with an asbestos bankruptcy trust, or a workers’ compensation claim.
At SWMW Law, your story matters to us – because people matter. We have made it our mission to fight on behalf of victims who developed mesothelioma because of occupational asbestos exposure in courtrooms throughout the United States. All of our attorneys have spent their careers arguing these cases and honing their abilities, giving them the skills and knowledge needed to craft effective arguments and overcome obstacles of all kinds. With over $750 million recovered for our clients to date, our results speak for themselves. No matter your situation, we are confident we can get you the maximum compensation you are entitled to, so do not wait to reach out after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Diagnosing Mesothelioma
How Hard Is It to Diagnose Mesothelioma?
Diagnosing mesothelioma can be difficult due to its highly specialized nature, and the fact that it is often misdiagnosed as other conditions, including pneumonia, asthma, or lung cancer. Symptoms of mesothelioma may be subtle and develop very slowly over a long period of time, making them difficult to recognize until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. In addition, there are no definitive tests available for diagnosing mesothelioma. Instead, doctors must rely on a combination of imaging studies (such as CT scans and x-rays), blood tests, and biopsies. As such, obtaining an accurate diagnosis can take weeks or months after symptoms first present themselves, which can lead to delays in receiving appropriate treatment.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Accurate Mesothelioma Diagnosis?
Due to the difficulty of recognizing its symptoms, which are very similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, diagnosing mesothelioma typically requires multiple tests over a period of several months. On average, it can take between 3 to 6 months after the initial onset of symptoms before receiving an official diagnosis. However, with the right doctor and diagnostic approach, some patients may be able to get an accurate diagnosis sooner than others.
How Early Can Mesothelioma Be Diagnosed?
What Should I Do If I Believe I May Have Been Misdiagnosed?
Were you or a loved one recently diagnosed with mesothelioma? Call (855) 744-2656 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation with our attorneys and learn more about what we can do for you and your family.
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