Mesothelioma Information Washington DC Blog | Parker, Dumler and Kiely LLP

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

As with any disease, the best treatment comes from early detection. At the first sign of illness, you should see your doctor. The sooner treatment begins, the more effective it is likely to be, and the less likely you are to have complications or recurrence of the disease.

Standard mesothelioma treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. A newer treatments that is done during surgery is intraoperative photodynamic therapy. This treatment uses drugs and light to kill cancer cells.

Mesothelium consists of two layers of membrane. One wraps around the individual organs and the other lines the thoracic or abdominal wall. Normally a thin layer of fluid lubricates these layers allowing the organs to glide freely within their cavities.

When cancer cells are present they can cause inflammation and fluid to build up between these layers. Thoracentesis or pericentesis may be necessary to remove fluid from between these layers and drugs used to prevent recurrence.

Treatment of diseases and complications of mesothelioma include and treatment of pneumonia, which is common due to weakened lungs and lowered resistance. Influenza and pneumonia vaccinations are recommended as a precaution for mesothelioma patients.

Victims of mesothelioma may be entitled to compensation. Please visit the website of Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP, the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

posted by Patti at 2:49 PM

Thursday, November 20, 2008

What is Mesothelioma Caused By?

The short answer is that mesothelioma is caused by asbestos fibers that were inhaled or ingested. Mesothelioma gets its name from the mesothelium, the membrane where this cancer begins. Mesothelium is the type of membrane that lines the abdomen and chest cavities. In the chest it is called the pleura, and in the abdomen it is called the peritoneum.

Asbestos Exposure
Workers who were exposed to particles of asbestos, either from mining, industrial use, manufacturing or construction are not the only victims. Family members can be exposed to fibers brought home on a worker’s clothing, or airborne particles in high density, such as near construction, mining or manufacturing sites. In addition to those sources, home renovation projects can expose unsuspecting people to asbestos fibers, as they tear out walls, insulation, countertops and flooring that was installed before the dangers of asbestos were discovered.

Is Smoking a Cause?
Smoking can cause cancer and it can increase the odds of getting cancer when mesothelioma is present, but is not a cause of mesothelioma. The chronic inflammation caused by smoking can contribute to the growth of cancer cells in two ways.

By causing chronic inflammation and irritation directly
By lowering the victim’s resistance, which makes him more susceptible to cancer

How do asbestos fiber get to the mesothelium?
Since asbestos fibers travel through the soft lung tissue to the mesothelium they don’t remain in contact with lung tissue enough to cause cancer. Instead, they lodge in the membrane that surrounds the lungs. Over time the cancerous mesothelioma cells can spread to the lung tissue.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C., Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP.

posted by Patti at 2:46 PM

Monday, November 10, 2008

Definition of Mesothelioma/Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that starts in one of the membranes that encase either the lungs, the heart or the abdominal organs. Mesothelioma can develop many years after asbestos fibers work their way from inhaled air, through the lung tissue, and lodge in the membrane that lines the lungs.

Occasionally, particles that have been swallowed penetrate the stomach wall and lodge in the membrane that lines the peritoneum, or abdominal cavity. Fibers can work their way into the lining around the heart, as well, but this is very rare.

Mesothelioma diagnosis is usually made many years after exposure when the victim complains of being short of breath, has trouble breathing, feels pain in the chest, or a chronic cough. Since mesothelioma symptoms are similar to a number of other diseases diagnosis depends upon test results from blood tests, X-rays, pulmonary function testing, a CT scan, MRI, PET scan or biopsy.

These tests reveal poor lung function and areas of tissue density that suggest increased cell growth, or cancer. The PET scan indicates areas of greater cellular activity and the biopsy allows a direct analysis of the affected tissue.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma you might be entitled to damages. Please contact the lawyers experienced in mesothelioma claims at Parker, Dumler, & Kiely, LLP, the Mesothelioma Lawyers serving Maryland and Washington, D.C.

posted by Patti at 2:43 PM