Palliative Treatments & Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that can attack the lining of the lungs, heart, and/or abdomen that is directly linked to asbestos exposure. This disease is primarily diagnosed in older individuals who worked or regularly came in contact with asbestos in an industrial setting. It is also commonly diagnosed in those who laundered or handled the clothing of an individual who worked with loose asbestos at his or her workplace.
Mesothelioma is often treated using conventional methods such as radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Said treatments can be used to both attack the cancer as well as to relieve pain for the individual, also referred to as “palliative treatments.” Most people who undergo treatment for mesothelioma receive palliative treatment, the type of which depends on the stage and type of cancer diagnosed, as well as the individual’s age and overall health.
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma and want to learn more about your legal rights and options, contact Stern Law, PLLC at (844) 808-7529 today. You are not alone, as we can help you to fight hard for your right to be compensated to the fullest extent of the law.
Palliative Treatments for Mesothelioma
The goals of palliative treatment are threefold: to relieve pain, reduce symptoms, and improve one’s overall quality of life. Most often, palliative treatment is administered to those whose cancer is advanced enough where the disease has already begun to manifest symptoms. In other words, sometimes palliative treatment is the only option when the cancer has progressed to the point where curative treatment options are not possible. Although palliative treatment does not provide a cure for the disease, it does help to prolong life expectancy for the three main types of mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma).
There are a number of different palliative treatment options, all of which depend on the type of mesothelioma diagnosed. For instance, with pleural mesothelioma, the type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, patients may receive a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries to relieve symptoms. With regard to surgery, this can include performing a pleurodesis and/or a thoracentesis, both of which remove excess fluid from the longs, which often accompanies this type of mesothelioma. Other types of palliative surgery may include those that actually remove tumors to help improve a person’s ability to breathe.
Moreover, for those who have peritoneal mesothelioma, the type of which affects the lining of the abdominal wall, chemotherapy and radiation may be pursued to relieve pain, in addition to surgery. The type of palliative surgery most often performed is called a paracentesis, which collects excess fluid in the abdomen, a common symptom of this disease. Additional surgeries may include those that seek to remove tumors or a part of tumors to relieve abdominal pressure and pain.
Lastly, those with pericardial mesothelioma, the rarest form of the disease that attacks the liming of the heart, may receive chemotherapy and radiation to relieve pain however, a more popular palliative treatment option includes a pericardiocentesis. This surgical technique is performed to remove excess fluid buildup in the pericardium, helping to relieve chest pain, pressure, coughing and difficulty breathing.
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos, contact Stern Law, PLLC to learn more about your legal rights and options, at (844) 808-7529 today.
Were You Diagnosed with Mesothelioma? Contact Stern Law, PLLC Today
At Stern Law, PLLC, we understand the complexities associated with a mesothelioma diagnosis, and want to help. We take the time you need to review your case, determine the sources of your exposure, and develop a plan of action to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Stern Law, PLLC today at (844) 808-7529 to schedule your free consultation with one of our seasoned mesothelioma attorneys.
