Mesothelioma Diagnosis
It is often difficult to diagnose mesothelioma because the symptoms of the disease are similar to those of several other conditions. To reach the diagnosis of mesothelioma, a physician must carefully assess several clinical and radiological findings as well as a confirming tissue biopsy.
It will usually take several days or longer to receive the results of diagnostic tests and biopsies to make a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis, peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis or pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis. Though it is of course difficult to wait, patients should know that their doctors are using the best tools available to reach an accurate diagnosis and that their physicians will explain the diagnosis as soon as possible. A proper diagnosis is essential for determining the best mesothelioma treatment available.
Physical Examination and History
The first step in the diagnostic process is for the doctor to get a history from the patient and to conduct a thorough physical examination. Based on the examination and the patient’s symptoms, the doctor will choose the next appropriate step.
Radiological Tests
Radiological tests like chest x-rays, CT scans or PET scans play a major role in the diagnosis of mesothelioma. These tests are also valuable in determining how far the disease has spread. However, a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma will also require a biopsy.
Biopsy
Although preliminary tests can provide helpful information in narrowing down a diagnosis, a final accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma requires a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure to remove tissue from the body to allow a pathologist to examine the suspected cancer under a microscope. Even though a biopsy is the most effective way to achieve an accurate diagnosis of mesothelioma, malignant mesothelioma cells may appear to be some other type of cancer. To prevent any mistake, a pathologist will conduct special laboratory tests on the body-tissue obtained during the biopsy and may even use an electron microscope to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Blood Test (Mesomark)
A new blood test called Mesomark may offer the possibility of earlier diagnosis and perhaps more successful treatment for mesothelioma patients. Development of this test has been an exciting recent development in the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Mesothelioma Diagnosis?
Mesothelioma Diagnosis?
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It attacks the membranes that surround the lungs, heart or abdomen. Each year, approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Learn about the way mesothelioma is diagnosed, its signs and symptoms and how doctors are learning to treat this disease.
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It attacks the membranes that surround the lungs, heart or abdomen. Each year, approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Learn about the way mesothelioma is diagnosed, its signs and symptoms and how doctors are learning to treat this disease.
Choosing a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Choosing a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Choosing a mesothelioma lawyer to represent you in your lawsuit is a very personal decision. You should feel good about the people at the law firm that you deal with and be satisfied with their answers to your questions before you hire a lawyer.
When deciding to hire an attorney for any kind of legal service, you should feel confident that they have the experience and knowledge to represent you well. You might ask the following questions of potential mesothelioma lawyers who would represent you in an asbestos case:
* How long has your firm been handling this type of case?
* How many mesothelioma cases do you handle currently?
* How many mesothelioma cases have you handled?
* Will your law firm actually work on my case or will you refer my case to another law firm? If you are likely to refer my case elsewhere, what is the name of the law firm(s) that you might send my case to?
* How many cases like mine has your law firm actually taken to trial? What kind of verdicts have you obtained in such cases? Are these verdicts your law firm personally obtained? If another law firm obtained these results, what is the name of that firm?
* If you take a case to trial, will an attorney from your law firm actually be responsible for representing me at trial, or will you hire an attorney from outside your firm to handle the trial?
* In the event an appeal is necessary in my case, do you have lawyers at your firm who dedicate much of their time to appellate and legal issues work? What is your law firm’s track record for successfully handling appeals?
With these issues in mind, we invite you to consider Baron & Budd, P.C. We believe that you will be impressed by our experience, track record, reputation in the legal community and the caring, friendly attention you will receive from our mesothelioma lawyers and staff.
As one of the oldest and largest law firms of its kind in the country, Baron & Budd, P.C. has a lot of experience representing victims of diseases caused by asbestos and other toxic substances. We have the experience and resources to handle your case from start to finish. With attorneys who focus on trial skills and presentation of a case to the jury, as well as attorneys who focus on legal briefing and arguing legal issues to trial and appellate judges, we are ready to be your advocates at every stage.
Choosing a mesothelioma lawyer to represent you in your lawsuit is a very personal decision. You should feel good about the people at the law firm that you deal with and be satisfied with their answers to your questions before you hire a lawyer.
When deciding to hire an attorney for any kind of legal service, you should feel confident that they have the experience and knowledge to represent you well. You might ask the following questions of potential mesothelioma lawyers who would represent you in an asbestos case:
* How long has your firm been handling this type of case?
* How many mesothelioma cases do you handle currently?
* How many mesothelioma cases have you handled?
* Will your law firm actually work on my case or will you refer my case to another law firm? If you are likely to refer my case elsewhere, what is the name of the law firm(s) that you might send my case to?
* How many cases like mine has your law firm actually taken to trial? What kind of verdicts have you obtained in such cases? Are these verdicts your law firm personally obtained? If another law firm obtained these results, what is the name of that firm?
* If you take a case to trial, will an attorney from your law firm actually be responsible for representing me at trial, or will you hire an attorney from outside your firm to handle the trial?
* In the event an appeal is necessary in my case, do you have lawyers at your firm who dedicate much of their time to appellate and legal issues work? What is your law firm’s track record for successfully handling appeals?
With these issues in mind, we invite you to consider Baron & Budd, P.C. We believe that you will be impressed by our experience, track record, reputation in the legal community and the caring, friendly attention you will receive from our mesothelioma lawyers and staff.
As one of the oldest and largest law firms of its kind in the country, Baron & Budd, P.C. has a lot of experience representing victims of diseases caused by asbestos and other toxic substances. We have the experience and resources to handle your case from start to finish. With attorneys who focus on trial skills and presentation of a case to the jury, as well as attorneys who focus on legal briefing and arguing legal issues to trial and appellate judges, we are ready to be your advocates at every stage.
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