Personal Injury Lawyer
For Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, & Beaufort South Carolina (SC) Area

Mesothelioma cancer is typically caused by contact to asbestos fibers or dust and predominantly affects those persons who worked with asbestos products.  More specifically, it is a form of lung cancer which takes many years to cultivate and generate symptoms.

What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a serious cancer of the protective sac that protects most internal organs, called the mesothelium.  The mesothelium contains two layers.   One layer covers the organ, and the second layer forms a sac around it.  The mesothelium manufactures a lubricating fluid which allows organs within it to move and glide with ease.   When cells become abnormal, divide and grow out of control and the inmesothelioma, the helpful lubricating fluid is over-produced is when mesothelioma cancer occurs.   In the more advanced cases of mesothelioma, cells metastasize, or grow and invade other organs and spread to other areas of the body.  Most individuals suffering from mesothelioma have cancer in the lining of the lung.  There are times that mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity peritoneal mesothelioma) and in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).

What causes Mesothelioma?
Differences in cause of mesothelioma is from being exposed to asbestos and breathing microscopic asbestos fibers into the lungs. When these microscopic fibers are breathed into the lungs, asbestos tears the lung tissue. The repetition of the lungs to form scar tissue again and again damaging the mesothelial tissue can cause mesothelioma.  To date, smoking appears to be unrelated to mesothelioma injury. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure may increase the risk of other forms of cancer. Typically, it takes anywhere from 20 to 40 years from the time of asbestos exposure until symptoms appear or mesothelioma is diagnosed.  

What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?
The following may all be symptomatic of Meothelioma.

• a constant & persistent cough
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• nausea
• hernia
• fever
• swelling
• pneumonia

Mesothelioma - Is It Preventable?
To date, the only known method to prevent mesothelioma and avoid this tragic illness is to eliminate all exposure to asbestos. Due to the fact that asbestos was once used to make a multitude of products, it is rather difficult to eliminate exposure altogether.  However, it is critical to remember that even a small exposure to asbestos is not safe.  Family members who are exposed to asbestos particles have an amplified threat of disease. 

Hence, it is important to remind workers exposed to asbestos on the job to wear protective clothing and masks and change clothing before leaving work to avoid bringing particles into the home.

How is Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Mesothelioma can be challenging to diagnose.  Primarily a doctor will issue a chest e-ray to determine if there is a buildup of fluid in the lining around the lung.  A CT scan may be recommended for further evaluation and to determine if fluid has built up inside the lungs.  Your doctor may then perform a biopsy to make an accurate diagnosis. Once a person has been diagnosed the next step is to determine the best treatment option. 
In general, "stages" are used to describe the extent of malignant pleural mesothelioma . 

• Stage 1:  the cancerous growth is in the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen.
• Stage 2:  is when the mesothelioma has moved from the lining into the lymph nodes.
• Stage 3:  the cancer has spread into the chest wall, heart, diaphragm, or stomach.
• Stage 4:  is the most serious stage, when the cancer has spread to organs. 

How is Mesothelioma Treated?
The most common treatment options for mesothelioma, as with most cancers, are chemotherapy and radiation.   Chemotherapy can be administered through a pill, injection or intravenously.  Radiation therapy kills cancer cells or shrinks tumors with high-energy x-rays.

Additional Treatments.
Surgery :  In some cases, surgery is an option for a patient with mesothelioma.  This may prolong and enhance the quality of life. However, often times such surgery is a serious and complicated option.  A pleurectomy or decortication, is a type of surgery involves opening the chest and removing the tumor from the lung. This may alleviate chest pain and thwarts the escape of fluid in the pleura.  Extra pleural pneumonectomy is another surgery and entails removing the lung, the diaphragm, or the lining of the heart.  A synthetic fabric called Gortex will replace the heart lining or diaphragm.  Chemotherapy and radiation often follow surgery in an attempt to destroy any remaining cancer cells.  Removal of a lung is called a pneumonectomy and typically occurs during a late stage of mesothelioma.

Paracentesis or Thoracentesis:   Whilte Paracentesis involves removing fluid from the abdominal cavity. Thoracentesis entails removing fluid from the lung lining, or pleura. This fluid accumulates as side effect of mesothelioma and can cause discomfort and shortness of breath. Once the fluid is successfully drained from the pleura, a variety of talcum powder or other material may be applied which helps the lung to hold fast to the chest wall.

Consider hiring an personal injury lawyer for the Hilton Head Island Area:
At Kiker Law Firm have witnessed the pain a mesothelioma diagnosis can bring and are profoundly dedicated to assisting the victims affected by mesothelioma and their families.  Making the decision of who should represent you is one of the most significant decisions that you may ever make and the Kiker Law Firm have experienced attorneys and will help you through every claim process.  If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or if a family member has died as a result of mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation.

Dedicated to the Client
Mesothelioma and asbestos matters are highly technical and specialized fields.  The attorneys at Kiker Law Firm have extensive experience in pursuing these cases.  We understand what you're up against and also know that many damages do not appear serious at first but that they may, in fact, plague someone for life. Our staff can aggressively pursue full compensation for all your injuries – including present and future.

We offer a free consultation and evaluation of your case. Simply complete a free consultation form online or call us at 843-842-7300. We'd be happy to meet with you and help you make an informed decision regarding your accident and injury claim.