Malignant mesothelioma is caused by tumors growing on the mesothelium, which is the thin protective sac surrounding the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium.) Mesothelioma is typically due to exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was once widely used in many industrial products, such as insulation, ceiling and roofing materials, brake linings, and wall panelings. Each year in the United States up to 3,000 new cases are diagnosed. Numbers are even higher in other areas of the world.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. Most diagnosis occurs when patients are in their 50's to 70's as there is a long latency period between the initial time of exposure and the development of symptoms. In addition, mesothelioma is often mistakenly identified as another type of cancer or respiratory illness. Because of these issues, most mesotheliomas are not diagnosed until after the disease has progressed to advanced stages.
Typically patients and their loved ones go through months before mesothelioma is accurately identified and sometimes undergo a variety of treatments before being told that the cancer has reached advanced stages. Advanced stage mesothelioma means the cancer is incurable and beyond being controlled by medical interventions.
It can be devastating to learn that your disease is untreatable and that your life expectancy is very short. Accepting that most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma typically have less than a year to live is very difficult for everyone.
Once over the initial shock, there are some things that a patient and caregiver can do to help during such difficult times. One is to learn as much as possible about what to expect and also explore options where choices do exist. Another is to continue to demand excellent care from your medical team and on-going support from others. Talking about any concerns, as well as any regrets and specific wishes you may have can be very helpful. Make sure to write down how you wish to live and how you wish to die, and enlist the help of others to make sure this happens. Having a support group to share any feelings and express grief can be hugely supportive.
Other avenues to explore are whether there are any existing treatments that could slow the progression of the disease or help alleviate any pain or side effects. Palliative care and hospice workers should be able to help keep the patient in as much comfort as possible. Find out from your oncology specialist what other options may exist in your area.
Typically, Stage IV mesothelioma patients can choose one or more of the following: standard therapy, alternative treatment, hospice or home care. Often decisions are made as a team, including the doctors, nurses, patient, family members and caregivers. It's important that everyone involved know your desires about treatment and what you request at the end of your life.
Mesothelioma can take an emotional as well as physical toll on everyone. Having conversations about dying can be difficult to approach, yet often also lead to patients and loved ones feeling as if the have more control, dignity and peace in the process. It is also important to have strategies in place and a support network. Planning in advance can help relieve financial, legal and emotional burdens for everyone. Families can avoid a lot of conflict and future problems by broaching the difficult subject of death.
Being diagnosed with advanced stage mesothelioma is challenging. For some, it is also a time for resolving unfinished business, dealing with regrets, realizing what is important in life, and really feeling gratitude for the moments of kindness, peace and love that exist. Every person has their own reaction and approach to dying. It's important to be mindful that not everyone will be comfortable expressing thoughts and emotions about approaching the end of life, and to respect individual preferences.
If you need help with the costs of medical treatments and getting financial compensation, contact an attorney who specializes in asbestos litigation and mesothelioma lawsuits. Like physicians that specialize in treating asbestos related cancers, a mesothelioma lawyer will have expertise that more effectively and quickly gets you and your family the help you need.
Many patients and caregivers wish they had known to ask certain questions before the cancer had progressed too far. If you have been diagnosed with late stage mesothelioma and want to have the most choice in the months ahead, please do not hesitate on having these conversations. - 29763
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was once widely used in many industrial products, such as insulation, ceiling and roofing materials, brake linings, and wall panelings. Each year in the United States up to 3,000 new cases are diagnosed. Numbers are even higher in other areas of the world.
Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose. Most diagnosis occurs when patients are in their 50's to 70's as there is a long latency period between the initial time of exposure and the development of symptoms. In addition, mesothelioma is often mistakenly identified as another type of cancer or respiratory illness. Because of these issues, most mesotheliomas are not diagnosed until after the disease has progressed to advanced stages.
Typically patients and their loved ones go through months before mesothelioma is accurately identified and sometimes undergo a variety of treatments before being told that the cancer has reached advanced stages. Advanced stage mesothelioma means the cancer is incurable and beyond being controlled by medical interventions.
It can be devastating to learn that your disease is untreatable and that your life expectancy is very short. Accepting that most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma typically have less than a year to live is very difficult for everyone.
Once over the initial shock, there are some things that a patient and caregiver can do to help during such difficult times. One is to learn as much as possible about what to expect and also explore options where choices do exist. Another is to continue to demand excellent care from your medical team and on-going support from others. Talking about any concerns, as well as any regrets and specific wishes you may have can be very helpful. Make sure to write down how you wish to live and how you wish to die, and enlist the help of others to make sure this happens. Having a support group to share any feelings and express grief can be hugely supportive.
Other avenues to explore are whether there are any existing treatments that could slow the progression of the disease or help alleviate any pain or side effects. Palliative care and hospice workers should be able to help keep the patient in as much comfort as possible. Find out from your oncology specialist what other options may exist in your area.
Typically, Stage IV mesothelioma patients can choose one or more of the following: standard therapy, alternative treatment, hospice or home care. Often decisions are made as a team, including the doctors, nurses, patient, family members and caregivers. It's important that everyone involved know your desires about treatment and what you request at the end of your life.
Mesothelioma can take an emotional as well as physical toll on everyone. Having conversations about dying can be difficult to approach, yet often also lead to patients and loved ones feeling as if the have more control, dignity and peace in the process. It is also important to have strategies in place and a support network. Planning in advance can help relieve financial, legal and emotional burdens for everyone. Families can avoid a lot of conflict and future problems by broaching the difficult subject of death.
Being diagnosed with advanced stage mesothelioma is challenging. For some, it is also a time for resolving unfinished business, dealing with regrets, realizing what is important in life, and really feeling gratitude for the moments of kindness, peace and love that exist. Every person has their own reaction and approach to dying. It's important to be mindful that not everyone will be comfortable expressing thoughts and emotions about approaching the end of life, and to respect individual preferences.
If you need help with the costs of medical treatments and getting financial compensation, contact an attorney who specializes in asbestos litigation and mesothelioma lawsuits. Like physicians that specialize in treating asbestos related cancers, a mesothelioma lawyer will have expertise that more effectively and quickly gets you and your family the help you need.
Many patients and caregivers wish they had known to ask certain questions before the cancer had progressed too far. If you have been diagnosed with late stage mesothelioma and want to have the most choice in the months ahead, please do not hesitate on having these conversations. - 29763
About the Author:
Sally Clapper represents the law firm of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason, mesothelioma attorneys that have given legal representation to people with mesothelioma for over 25 years. The firm has several expert asbestos attorneys and is recognized as one of the leading plaintiffs' mesothelioma law firms in the nation.
