A mesothelioma attorney is a person who is hired to assist individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. This disease is a form of cancer that usually affects the mesothelial cells, which are the cells that line organs and tissues. In recent years, mesothelioma has become an increasing problem in the United States and is an increasing number of deaths each year.
The disease is relatively rare, but it is very debilitating. It attacks the tissues that surround the organs that we use for breathing. Cancerous cells tend to invade the lungs, where they then spread throughout the body, ultimately killing the victim.
There are several types of mesothelioma, including malignant and non-malignant, and the type that are diagnosed first are referred to as the malignant type. Malignant types include pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Both of these types can cause death from the disease if not treated properly. Because this disease does not respond well to standard treatments, it can be quite debilitating.
It is a sad fact that the symptoms of this disease can be quite similar to other illnesses, making it harder to diagnose for a long time. Mesothelioma attorneys can help their clients fight to get the appropriate treatment. Patients should consult with a mesothelioma attorney as soon as they become aware of any symptoms that might indicate that they might have this disease.
Patients need to understand that there is no specific way to predict when they will develop symptoms of mesothelioma. Symptoms might develop months after exposure to asbestos, or might appear years later. If symptoms are not identified as early as possible, there is a possibility that the condition may progress, posing a threat to the victim’s life.
Lung cancer is one of the most common types of mesothelioma, as asbestos exposure is also a cause of lung cancer. The main symptom of lung cancer is inflammation of the chest cavity, which is followed by a hardening of the chest wall, which is often mistaken for asthma. Patients can breathe deeply, as they can feel a smooth feeling to the chest. More commonly, however, patients find that they are breathless and can even experience shortness of breath.
Many different symptoms might appear. Patients who suffer from chest pain might experience difficulty going up and down stairs, and are often plagued by the tightness of the chest and shoulder muscles. Some patients suffer from recurrent coughs, as well as difficulty getting out of bed in the morning.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed for a long time, sometimes even after death. The sooner that the disease is identified, the better, as it will be easier to treat. The earlier treatment is started, the faster the patient will recover and be able to return to their normal daily activities.
