How To Get Tested for Mesothelioma
In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a national ban on asbestos-containing products. Unfortunately, that ban came after decades of asbestos use in construction. Removing that dangerous material leads to new levels of exposure, and it remains a problem to this day. Case in point: The U.S. Department of Labor recently alleged a subcontractor knowingly exposed employees to asbestos during the demolition of a Waukegan hospital.
Asbestos exposure can sometimes manifest in a severe form of cancer known as mesothelioma. Although the American Cancer Society reports that only 3,000 cases of mesothelioma-related cancer are diagnosed each year, those results can devastate a family. It is especially troublesome when you consider that exposure to asbestos could be mitigated to prevent mesothelioma. Getting tested for mesothelioma is the first step toward dealing with the disease.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Before your doctor recommends testing for mesothelioma, you will have to present with chronic symptoms for the different forms of the cancer.
Pleural mesothelioma takes direct aim at the tissue that surrounds the lungs. Some of its symptoms can include the following:
- Chest pain
- Painful coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on your chest
- Unexplained weight loss
Peritoneal mesothelioma manifests in the tissue in the abdomen. This can cause the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Nausea
- Unexplained weight loss
There are other forms of mesothelioma that you might be tested for. Those include pericardial mesothelioma, which impacts your heart tissue. That can result in recurring chest pains and difficulty breathing. Also, mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis affects the tissue surrounding the testicles. This might be detected as swelling or a mass on a testicle.
The risk of developing mesothelioma is tied to exposure to asbestos. That can occur if you work in the following industries:
- Automotive
- Mining
- Construction
- Shipbuilding
- Military
- Certain manufacturing industries
Keep in mind that exposure to asbestos extends beyond the actual workers in those industries. You can also be exposed if you wash the clothes of someone who works in an asbestos-related industry. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, you might want to see a doctor for a thorough diagnostic test.
Diagnosing Mesothelioma
The first step towards diagnosing mesothelioma is a physical examination. Your doctor will ask about your medical and work history, which can help determine the scope of your symptoms and establish if you had direct exposure to asbestos. This preliminary exam will involve a stethoscope to listen to your heart, lungs, and abdomen.
Even if this initial exam is inconclusive, your doctor will order scans that can help confirm or rule out mesothelioma. Those tests include the following:
- X-rays
- Computed tomography (CT) scans:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scans:
- Echocardiograms
Those tests are all considered noninvasive. Your doctor could also recommend various forms of biopsy tests. For instance, a fluid biopsy removes bodily fluids, while a needle or endoscopic biopsy removes tissues for testing. If those other tests are still inconclusive, you could also undergo a surgical biopsy. With this procedure, an incision is made in your chest or abdomen to remove a tissue sample.
Treatment
Early intervention is crucial to help treat a mesothelioma diagnosis. That treatment can involve surgery to remove fluid buildup or diseased tissue. You could also go through common types of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While those courses of treatment can be effective, they can also be extremely debilitating. Other therapy options can involve immunotherapy and targeted therapies that include prescribed medications.
Getting Support
Anyone who undergoes treatment for mesothelioma will have to deal with major life changes. Not only will there be expensive medical costs, but there could also be extended periods of lost wages. If it can be established that the mesothelioma is attributable to asbestos at a workplace that should have been cleaned up, then the owners of that company could be held liable.
Taking on a mesothelioma cancer case can be complicated. The attorneys at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP are up to the challenge. We understand the nature of these cases and can provide the support and guidance needed to make informed decisions about the best course of action. Call to set up a consultation with our team to discuss your situation. You don’t have to go through this alone.
