Pleural Mesothelioma
Providing Pleural Mesothelioma Support in Canada
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of cancer caused by asbestos. When a patient inhales asbestos fibres, these often get lodged in the protective lining of the lungs, leading to cancerous cells. Patients have been known to have only one exposure to asbestos and get diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, though it is usually caused from a large amount of exposure. The prognosis of pleural mesothelioma depends on the patient’s health and the stage of the disease. Most patients live a little over one year, but treatment can lengthen their number of years. Mesothelioma Care helps pleural mesothelioma patients in Canada get started on a treatment plan to increase their livelihood.
Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment
The most common treatments for pleural mesothelioma include chemotherapy and radiation. Surgery offers the best chance of survival, but it can only be done if a patient is in good health. Many times, a combination of treatments is used to combat the aggressive disease.
Stages of Pleural Mesothelioma
Treatment often depends on the stage of pleural mesothelioma. The four stages include:
Only the lining of the lung contains cancer.
The cancer impacts the lungs, nearby lymph nodes, and part of the diaphragm.
Spreading of cancer inhabits the chest wall, lymph nodes, esophagus, and throughout one side of the chest.
The cancer affects other organs, both sides of the chest, bone cells, and blood cells.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is still considered an experimental, relatively new way to combat mesothelioma. Patients are often able to live with pleural mesothelioma for years taking certain drugs. The only problem is that these drugs do not cure cancer. Immunotherapy is best used in conjunction with other treatments to manage the disease. It might be helpful in limited circumstances, but it may not make life any better for the patient. It could mean living in pain for a longer amount of time. It’s important that patients speak with their doctor to determine if immunotherapy is a good fit for them.
Compensation
If you’ve been diagnosed or are a family member of someone diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a lawyer will assist you in making a claim. Legal assistance will help you research possible asbestos exposures and draft an asbestos exposure affidavit. This begins the process towards filing a claim against manufacturers of asbestos products. Contact us today to see how we can help and guide you through this process towards getting the compensation you deserve.