Mesothelioma Medical Expenses

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that invades the mesothelial lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. The only proven cause of this cancer is exposure to asbestos, a natural mineral found throughout the world that was once widely used in thousands of industrial and domestic products. Due to the invasive nature of this cancer, treatment is complicated and often unsuccessful.

Mesothelioma treatment typically involves some combination of surgical removal of a tumor, chemotherapy, and radiation. The type of treatment is determined by the oncologist, who will take the size of the tumor, and the patient's general health and age into consideration when making a plan for treatment.

Asbestosis is a scarring and inflammation of the lungs that results from asbestos exposure. The inflammation causes shortness of breath that worsens over time. There is no cure for asbestosis, although doctors can treat the shortness of breath with oxygen therapy.

Medical Costs Associated With Asbestos Exposure

The medical costs associated with diseases that are related to asbestos exposure can be extremely high. Because of the long latency period between initial exposure and the development of an asbestos-related disease, many patients are retired when the diagnosis is made. If the patient is still working, they will probably be on disability soon.

Asbestos-related illnesses can be very expensive for a variety of reasons. Understanding the expenses involved in treatment is an important factor when considering to file a claim against the company responsible for asbestos exposure.

• Long-term care costs. Asbestosis is a progressive disease with no true cure. If you are diagnosed with asbestosis, your physician will work to make you as comfortable as possible and maintain your lung functioning as long as possible. The use of oxygen therapy (which provides the body with adequate oxygen) is one method of therapy. Another beneficial treatment is respiratory therapy, where the patient works with a respiratory therapist to strengthen the lungs. A respiratory therapist can also teach special breathing techniques that will help the patient clear secretions from the lungs. This therapy can help slow the progression of asbestosis.
• Aggressive therapy. Mesothelioma is an aggressive and adamant asbestos cancer. Once diagnosed with the disease, the average mesothelioma patient survives roughly one year. There are several reasons why mesothelioma is so difficult to treat. One factor is the difficulty in detecting the cancer. By the time the patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it has often spread. Another factor is the location of the tumors, which are sandwiched in the mesothelium lining. This location makes surgical removal of the tumor very difficult. Because of these factors, any hope for a cure must include aggressive treatment. This may entail surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation in any combination, and includes frequent medical monitoring to determine how well the treatment is working.
• Clinical Trials. Because the prognosis for those suffering with mesothelioma is bleak, many mesothelioma patients want to participate in clinical trials. Clinical trials use advancements in medicine to provide treatment for patients as part of the FDA approval process. Involvement in clinical trials is strictly voluntary, and may provide a last hope of successful treatment for many patients. Clinical trials are not typically covered by insurance, as they are not considered standard methods of treatment. Some expenses of a clinical trial will be paid by the hospital conducting the trial and some expenses will not be covered.

Even if you are not currently suffering from asbestosis or mesothelioma but have been exposed to asbestos in the past, it is best to have frequent medical check-ups so any health problems can be caught in the earliest stages. Let your general practitioner know your were exposed to asbestos so this important fact is documented in your medical history. The physician may want to perform more frequent check-ups, add chest x-rays as part of your annual visit, or just make sure you know the early warning signs of respiratory disease.

Clearly, medical treatment for individuals suffering with mesothelioma or asbestosis can be very expensive. Filing a claim against the company that is responsible for your asbestos exposure will not only bring justice to the corrupt asbestos manufacturers, it may also help you obtain financial help for medical expenses.

Additional Resources

Resources available at Asbestos.com can only offer basic assistance in understanding the generalities of the mesothelioma litigation process.  If you seek legal information, it is always a good idea to  speak with a qualified lawyer of your choosing to ensure that you get accurate information regarding any potential claim that you might have.