Asbestos Cancer

Asbestos cancer, also known as mesothelioma cancer, is a rare type of lung cancer found in the chest and abdomen area.

Asbestos cancer may be caused by inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers, which interact with the mesothelium, a protective membrane that covers most internal organs, and cause cells to become malignant. Living or working in an area where asbestos fibers are in the air increases your risk of developing asbestos cancer.

The Signs Of Asbestos Cancer.

There are a number of ailments that may be signs of asbestos cancer. Shortness of breath and pain under your ribs may indicate a problem. This is caused by fluid collecting around the lungs. The fluid buildup will cause shortness of breath and pain. Other indicators are unexplained weight loss and pain, swelling or lumps in the abdominal area. These symptoms may not necessarily be the result of asbestos cancer, but they are some of the indicators. Individuals should check with their doctor if  any of these symptoms are present.

What Can Be Done To Test For Asbestos Cancer?

There are a number of tests that your doctor can do to test for malignant cells of asbestos cancer. The first thing will probably be a general physical examination with a chest X-ray and blood work. If your physician feels you have indications of asbestos cancer, they may order a CBC, or complete blood count, (also known as full blood count or FBC) to assess the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The CBC also assesses the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood and within each red blood cell. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the lungs.  Your doctor may also have your blood analyzed for sedimentation rate, which can be indicator of asbestos cancer. Sedimentation rate is the rate at which red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube. Infections and cancer will cause the cells to drop faster.

Next your doctor may order a biopsy which is an extraction of tissue to be examined for asbestos cancer cells. A biopsy of tissue in the lungs or abdomen can often be extracted with a small incision and insertion of a special instrument that allows the doctor to view the area and extract the needed tissue sample. This sample will then be sent to a lab and examined for asbestos cancer cells.

What Is Staging?

Staging is the process of determining if the asbestos cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This process determines the ‘stage’ of the cancer. Staging tests can include further X-rays, ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound, and MRIs. These tests allow physicians to see if or where your asbestos cancer has spread.

How Does Asbestos Cancer Spread?

Asbestos cancer can spread to healthy tissue from the malignant cells. Another method for the spread of cancer cells is through lymphatic fluids, which then causes malignancy of lymph nodes. Blood can also carry cancer cells. Asbestos cancer can enter into veins and capillary walls and use the blood to travel to other parts of the body.

Treatment Options

Asbestos cancer treatment options depend on several factors, which include the stage of the cancer, the overall health and age of the individual, and the feasability to completely remove tumors surgically. Individuals should consult with their physicians about treatment options.

Treatments may be ‘standard’, which is defined as being generally accepted, widely used, and appropriate for the type of cancer you have. Other options may include clinical trials testing the effectiveness of a new treatment or an improvement to an existing treatment. Individuals should discuss all treatment options with their doctor to determine what is best for each case of asbestos cancer.

Who Is Responsible?

Asbestos cancer has been found to occur in people who have either worked around or been exposed to asbestos fibers floating in the air. Oftentimes, these airborne asbestos fibers were the result of negligence by a company who allowed these fibers to be free-floating in the air. Supplying proper protective gear and adherence to OSHA and EPA asbestos regulations is the responsibility of any employer where asbestos exposure is a risk. Back in the 1940s and 1950s, companies began to be made aware of the connection between certain cancers in the lung area and asbestos exposure. Many of these companies elected to neither inform nor protect their workers. Asbestos cancer can take up to 50 years to produce symptoms. After 50 years, many people have moved on to other jobs and companies' ownership can change hands many times.

If you are diagnosed with asbestos cancer, you should contact a lawyer to help determine who is responsible for your exposure that led to your diagnosis of cancer. You need lawyers who are experienced and understand the depth of your injury, which includes the high cost of treatment. You may have even lost your job due to your illness.

The mesothelioma lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP will make sure you can meet your financial obligations, receive the medical care you need, and find those responsible for your illness. Our lawyers are committed to our clients’ complete health and well-being.

For a free consultation with the lawyers at Arnold &Itkin LLP, complete the FREE case evaluation form at the right or call us toll-free at (866) 222-2606. There is never a fee up front and we take cases on contingency only. You pay us only when we have successfully resolved your case.