Sunday, February 08, 2009

An Overview of Mesothelioma Surgery
The following surgeries may be used for mesothelioma treatment:

Wide local excision
Pleurectomy and decortication
Extrapleural pneumonectomy
Pleurodesis.

Wide Local Excision
Wide local excision involves surgery to remove the cancer and some of the healthy tissue around it.

Pleurectomy and Decortication
This type of surgery removes part of the covering of the lungs and lining of the chest and part of the outside surface of the lungs.

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy
With a pneumonectomy, one whole lung and part of the lining of the chest, the diaphragm, and the lining of the sac around the heart are removed.

Pleurodesis
A pleurodesis is a surgical procedure that uses chemicals or drugs to make a scar in the space between the layers of the pleura. Fluid is first drained from the space using a catheter or chest tube and the chemical or drug is put into the space. The scarring stops the buildup of fluid in the pleural cavity.


Other Mesothelioma Surgery Information
Even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the surgery, some patients may be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery for mesothelioma treatment. These additional treatments are used to kill any cancer cells that are left. Mesothelioma treatment given after surgery, to increase the chances of a cure, is called adjuvant therapy.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

How the Insurance Companies Look at Mesothelioma



Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that is found in the mesothelium (or protective covering) of the lung, heart, and abdomen. It is caused by the exposure of asbestos and is the focus of thousands of lawsuits across America.

Many people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma are those who worked in factories, automotive factories, construction, and with jobs that manufactured or produced products that was made of the asbestos fibers. Thousands of people are winning billions of dollars in mesothelioma lawsuits; however, the insurance companies frown on these lawsuits because of the lack of evidence that the asbestos exposure is the cause of the mesothelioma. The insurance companies are feeling the pain of these lawsuits because they are losing billions of dollars.Although it is proven that mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, it is not known for sure where and when the asbestos exposure really occurred since it probably occurred over the course of thirty to forty years.

Mesothelioma is not a disease that occurs overnight. It occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to asbestos. Many people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma worked for company's decades earlier where asbestos exposure was very high. It is evident that that the mesothelioma was probably caused by this exposure, but the insurance companies say that there is not real evidence to prove this exposure.

Therefore, the insurance companies really frown on the mesothelioma cases.If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and you are having a hard time getting your insurance company to pay for your medical expenses, then you should contact a mesothelioma lawyer. You have a right to have your medical expenses paid regardless of what evidence your insurance company says it has or is missing.

There are mesothelioma lawyers who are trained and who have a lot of experience in dealing with insurance companies and mesothelioma and they can answer any questions or concerns that you have about your mesothelioma and how your insurance company is or is not handling your medical expenses that are related to your condition. So, if you feel you are not receiving fair benefits or treatment from your insurance company in regards to your mesothelioma, you may be able to file a lawsuit and you may be entitled to many benefits as a result of your mesothelioma lawsuit. There is no need to suffer more than you already have. A mesothelioma lawyer will be able to help you.