Mesothelioma Advice

Chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma patients are under constant scrutiny. Pemetrexed, which has qualities and abilities similar to an earlier drug called methotrexate, has been proven to be substantially less toxic to patients when used for treating mesothelioma cancer.

In a small recent study researchers wanted to find out whether patients with specific symptoms would also have fewer side effects with pemetrexed. For patients who were suffering with excess fluid---either abdominal ascites or pleural effusion---they tested whether it was better to drain the fluid before administering the drug or if the patient would do just as well without draining the excess. Results suggested that patients would do just as well without having to first have the excess fluid removed.

You may have seen this long word, mesothelioma, in the newspapers or on television and wondered about it. What is mesothelioma? It is a unique form of lung cancer that's usually connected with a patient's history of previous asbestos exposure---either from working in a place that mined or used asbestos or from living in or near an area where such work was done.

But the simple definition of the term doesn't describe what patients must endure with the symptoms of mesothelioma. These can include difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, abdominal fluid retention, and many more. In addition, the disease is highly resistant to the typical cancer treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy and progresses rapidly to more advanced stages.

When some patients learn that their disease might have been prevented if they'd known about the dangers of asbestos, they suffer the additional burden of wondering if their employer may have known that workers were being exposed to asbestos on the job. The only way to resolve that question is to work with an experienced attorney who can give you expert mesothelioma legal advice. Your attorney will work with you to recover the relevant details of your work history so that you can determine whether it might make sense to file a lawsuit to seek compensation.

Mesothelioma can be devastating. Make sure you first spend all the time you need in choosing your care team. You deserve the best and most knowledgeable care available. Then, review our website for information about the legal process. We are available to answer your questions 24/7. Don't hesitate to call us day or night. One of our experienced attorneys will help you understand what's involved, what you will need to do, and how your case might work.

Doctors are constantly searching for better ways to diagnose and treat pleural mesothelioma, the deadly lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure. In a very recent study, researchers found that certain chromosome and DNA specifics were related to how well the body could fight off invasions of malignant pleural mesothelioma cells.

They found the microRNA (miR) gene known as miR-31 has the tendency to slow the growth of tumors. The hope is that they will be able to use this knowledge to develop new therapies against mesothelioma and other cancers with similar genetic characteristics.

For those who've received a mesothelioma diagnosis, news of any developments that can lead to better treatments is welcome news. Patients and their loved ones must undergo a difficult journey through this disease. They deserve to have all the information and assistance to help them through it. Please review our mesothelioma advice website for help with both medical resources and legal advice. We created the site just for you and your family. Don't hesitate to call us with any questions. We are here to help. 800.443.6353.

Making sure mesothelioma clients are clearly informed, and feel as comfortable as possible during depositions is paramount, in my opinion. I recently gave a presentation at the Plaintiffs Asbestos Lawyers Symposium that took place in Las Vegas May 5th-7th.

Litigation communications expert Katherine James, of Act Of Communication, was my co-presenter.  We discussed strategies for mesothelioma cancer attorneys to use to communicate with mesothelioma clients about what will happen at their deposition and how to put them at ease to testify more comfortably and with less anxiety.  When a mesothelioma patient decides to bring a mesothelioma lawsuit, a key event is his or her deposition.  Because that can be a stressful event, its important for clients to be at ease about the process.  This is an important aspect of providing mesothelioma advice during the litigation process.  If you'd like to learn more about the deposition process, feel free to contact me at 512-439-3202 or shendler@hendlerlaw.com.

Lung cancer treatment is still in a very early stage, especially when the disease takes the form of pleural mesothelioma. Though doctors have come to rely on chemotherapy---often using pemetrexed and/or cisplatin/carboplatin---for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma after surgery, they are not able yet to predict who will benefit most from receiving that particular combination.

In a recent study researchers looked back at selected cases and found that under a certain condition the body will show a greater resistance to this type of chemotherapy. The condition consists of a correlation between the expression of a specific substance, thymidylate synthase (TS), and the body's own attempts to repair its DNA. Survival times seem to be extended somewhat---sometimes by a few months.

Although it may seem strange to struggle with small differences in survival times, these slight but statistically significant changes can mean a big difference for a mesothelioma patient and his/her family. And down the road, they can lead to discoveries that may begin to make the differences much more meaningful.

If you have you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be feeling confused, lost, and frightened. This disease rightly has a reputation as difficult to live with and hard to treat. Symptoms of mesothelioma can be widely different, depending on the stage and how your body is reacting to the malignancy.

Once you have finished choosing your care team and are satisfied that you are receiving the most knowledgeable medical treatment, it may be a good time to think about filing a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Naturally, you don't want to undertake the process of filing mesothelioma litigation without feeling confident that you have a good chance of recovering compensation. That's why it's critical to receive the best legal advice you can. You'll want to work with someone who has successfully navigated these complex types of cases many times. A mesothelioma trial attorney must know the ins and outs of the legal process in addition to the fine points of establishing a history of asbestos exposure and corporate responsibility.

Don't hesitate to ask your attorney any questions that come to mind. And be aware that your attorney should be working with you at no charge. Fees should only be charged in the event of winning a case or negotiating a settlement. If you have any fears or concerns or would like to investigate your own situation, HendlerLaw is a leading mesothelioma asbestos law firm with resources in several states, including New York, Texas and California. Don't hesitate to call us any time at 800.443.6353.

Several drugs have demonstrated some effectiveness when dealing with the asbestos-related disease known as mesothelioma. Because those drugs have such limited capabilities, however, doctors are always searching for new and better alternatives. As of today, one of the most common drug combinations in use is pemetrexed plus cisplatin. In some cases doctors may substitute carboplatin for cisplatin because it is less toxic, but it requires larger doses for the same effectiveness.

Carboplatin side effects usually involve a significant drop in red blood cells and may also include those of many other chemotherapy drugs:

• nausea and/or vomiting
• diarrhea
• mouth sores
• hair loss or thinning
• tiredness, loss of energy

In addition, some patients have been known to suffer kidney problems or issues with the inner ear among their carboplatin side effects.

If you are suffering with symptoms of mesothelioma, be sure you are working with a doctor who truly understands the disease and knows the upsides and downsides of the various drug and treatment options. Review our website for mesothelioma advice and tips on choosing a doctor.

And if you haven't yet reviewed your history of asbestos exposure, don't hesitate to call HendlerLaw. Our mesothelioma trial attorneys are all experienced in helping you sort through the circumstances of your work life to see if you may be eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit to potentially recover compensation for your suffering. We can help you make that decision at no charge. Call us at 800.443.6353 any time. Don't wait.

When you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, you begin a long journey. It began, possibly many years ago, when you were exposed to some asbestos risk, either on the job or in your living environment. Early symptoms can include coughing, difficulty breathing, and can then lead to cachexia (general debilitation, muscle wasting, fatigue, etc.). No matter what symptoms appear first, your main consideration is to find a medical care team that is very familiar with this disease and whose members can give you the information and the treatments that are best suited to where you are in the process.

Your doctor may recommend that you undergo a series of tests to help your care team members understand what stage your disease is in and help them recommend treatments that might to relieve your pain or discomfort.

As you and your family learn to live with these lung cancer effects, you will also want to consider getting mesothelioma legal advice from a highly qualified and experienced professional who has successfully helped other victims file asbestos lawsuits to seek compensation. Don't wait. We can help you determine the deadline by which you must file mesothelioma litigation in order not to lose your opportunity. Our experienced mesothelioma trial attorneys will work with you to discover whether you may have a good chance of recovering compensation. Call us day or night at 800.443.6353.

Yes, even though legislation is in place prohibiting the use of asbestos in most manufacturing operations, the stuff was used extensively in industry and in construction materials for many decades before the truth came out. That means that your older home, your office in an older building, or your child's classroom in an older school could still be made with materials that contain significant amounts of asbestos.

Does this mean you should panic? No, but it does make sense to be attentive. Take a walk around the office, the school, and your home. Look for roofing, siding, tile, insulation and any other materials that are crumbling or producing dust. What does asbestos look like? It's hard to describe it exactly because it comes in so many different materials. You can see some photographs of asbestos-containing materials here.


The critical piece is that if you see crumbling, it's important to check. Do not try to determine for yourself if the dust is contaminated--if you do you'll be increasing your own asbestos exposure. Keep friends, colleagues, and family members away from crumbling materials, and get a professional asbestos risk assessment done as soon as possible. With the number of asbestos lawsuits climbing as more victims develop mesothelioma (a rare asbestos-related disease with symptoms similar to lung cancer effects), protect yourself from ever having to be put in that position.

If you have mesothelioma, hopefully you've received solid advice on choosing your care team. It's critical to have experienced medical professionals who understand the signs, symptoms, and typical progress of this ravaging disease. Mesothelioma has lung cancer effects that can result in a host of symptoms. It can be one of the causes of pericardial effusion (fluid around your heart), abdominal fluid retention (ascites), cachexia (muscle wasting, loss of appetite, etc.), and/or pleurisy symptoms (sharp chest pain, coughing, problems breathing, and so on).

And just as importantly---for your own peace of mind and the well-being of your family---you should consider whether you might discuss your situation with a mesothelioma trial attorney. Only a qualified and experienced trial attorney---someone who understands what you're going through and knows how to navigate the legal process---can give you sound mesothelioma legal advice on whether to file a mesothelioma lawsuit.

HendlerLaw is a mesothelioma/asbestos law firm that specializes in helping patients review their history and research all the possible connections to previous asbestos exposure that might lead to receiving compensation. Any one of our attorneys can answer your questions, refer you to helpful resources, and give you mesothelioma legal advice that will guide you in making your decision. We look forward to serving you and your loved ones through this difficult process. Call us 24/7 at 800.443.6353.

Mesothelioma is a very difficult disease--an aggressive form of lung cancer, the effects of which are still usually fatal despite years of research into cures. There are not a great many mesothelioma causes: other than extremely rare cases, asbestos exposure at some point in a person's life is the main culprit among mesothelioma causes.

Patients who develop mesothelioma may experience any number of symptoms. They can include abdominal fluid retention (abdominal ascites), or pleurisy symptoms such as coughing, sudden and intense chest pain, rapid shallow breathing, or difficulty breathing (caused by pleural effusion--fluid collecting in the space around the lungs).

The key to prolonging survival with mesothelioma is finding medical professionals who are experienced with the asbestos connection and understand how the symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases and conditions.

Another important consideration is to speak with a qualified mesothelioma trial attorney who can help you review your history and determine whether you might be able to recover compensation for your suffering. Hendlerlaw is a mesothelioma asbestos law firm that specializes in helping victims---at no cost---decide if it might make sense for them to file their own mesothelioma lawsuits. Our fees come only if there is a settlement or award. Please call us with any questions or concerns. We are available 24/7 at 800.443.6353.

Carboplatin is one of several chemotherapy drugs that's commonly used to treat various types of lung cancer, including mesothelioma, the type associated with asbestos exposure. Two companies have recently announced their researchers believe they've found more effective ways to use carboplatin by giving it in combination with different drugs.

The upside of carboplatin is that it works by preventing cells from making DNA, which then slows down the rate at which cancer cells can reproduce. The downside, as with many chemotherapy drugs, is that carboplatin side effects can be very uncomfortable since it works by killing cells, some of which are perfectly healthy. The hope for all cancer treatments is to develop antibodies or other helper agents that will allow much smaller doses of chemotherapy to do the same work.

If you believe you've been exposed to asbestos at any time in your life and you develop symptoms of mesothelioma such as a lasting cough, difficulty breathing, abdominal fluid retention, or other lung-related problems, see a qualified physician immediately. And don't hesitate to call us if your doctor suspects mesothelioma. We are experienced in helping victims find out if they may have a reasonable chance of recovering compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit. Call us night or day at 800.443.6353.

When they scheduled to tear down some old homes in Detroit, city officials decided to ignore the risks of asbestos during the project. When released through breaking or crushing asbestos-containing materials, the fibers can get stuck in human lungs and eventually cause mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of lung cancer. Officials knew that federal laws require buildings scheduled for demolition to be tested for asbestos ahead of time.

What does asbestos look like? It's very hard to identify unless you're an expert. This fire- and heat-resistant material is made up of tiny fibers that are embedded in building and other materials that have been used for many decades. You might find it in insulation, textured paint, stove-pot pads, vinyl floors, electric stoves, materials used to insulate hot water and steam pipes, and in the cement used in roofing and siding shingles.

Asbestos use for commercial buildings was not banned in the U.S. until 1989. So any time an older structure is being torn down, there is danger that asbestos may be hidden in some of the materials. Since asbestos is the only known factor among mesothelioma causes, you can be putting yourself, your family, and your neighbors at risk by breaking down those materials and releasing the asbestos fibers. If you have crumbling insulation around pipes in your basement, for example, call as soon as possible for a professional asbestos risk assessment. Do not attempt to handle the situation on your own.

To learn more about how mesothelioma victims may be able to gain compensation by filing asbestos lawsuits, visit our website with information and mesothelioma advice. If you already have mesothelioma, call us with any questions. We are here to help. 800.443.6353.

The list of mesothelioma causes is short: asbestos exposure is the only known factor positively associated with developing this unusually aggressive form of lung cancer.

Asbestos has been used for generations because of its heat resistant and fire retardant properties. Evidence of its usefulness was recorded very early in history. A quote from an environmental chemistry website talks about just how early asbestos was used:

"It is possible to trace written documentation of the use of asbestos back to the days of the Roman Empire. However, evidence of the use of asbestos in pottery and chinking of log homes dating back [to] 3000 BC has been found archaeological digs in Scandinavia."

And evidence of the dangers was recorded almost as early. In Roman times Pliny the Elder was only one sage who noticed that those who worked with asbestos had more than usual health problems. He specifically noted that they had lung and other problems (cachexia---wasting away---and abdominal fluid retention) and tended to die at young ages. He even went so far as to design a respirator out of of transparent bladder skin and suggested asbestos workers wear one as protection. 

Knowing that humankind has been well aware of the hazards of asbestos for this long makes it even more incredible that companies as late as the 1970s were failing to share the truth with workers and not providing adequate protections.

If you're suffering the symptoms of mesothelioma, talk to one of our experienced attorneys about the possibility that you may be able to collect compensation for your suffering. We are here to help you, 24/7. Please call us at 800.443.6353.

If you or someone you love is living with symptoms of mesothelioma, you are already facing tremendous challenges with your health. It may seem overwhelming to think about seeking mesothelioma legal advice. It's natural to worry that you cannot afford to pay anything beyond what you're already facing with your medical bills.

It's important for you to know that you can get the help you need to file a mesothelioma lawsuit without paying anything out of pocket. While you may have pleurisy-like symptoms and may be facing daunting physical symptoms such as blood clots (thrombophlebitis), abdominal fluid retention, and other lung cancer symptoms, you and your family can speak to a qualified mesothelioma trial attorney without incurring any extra expense. Reasonable fees are paid only when a settlement is awarded to you.

Browse our site both for help with your medical situation and for no-cost mesothelioma legal advice about your rights. We have helped hundreds of clients just like you receive fair compensation for the suffering they've had to undergo as a result of corporate misconduct. Call us day or night at 800.443.6353.

Every chemotherapy drug has side effects. With carboplatin these may include some or all of the following:

• hair loss
• weakness
• taste changes
• nausea and vomiting (within about 24 hours after treatment)
• low blood counts (for all types of cells--red, white, and platelets)
• elevated magnesium in blood tests

More than 30% of those who receive it report one or more of these carboplatin side effects. Carboplatin was originally found to help with another very difficult cancer, ovarian, and is now regularly used to treat the aggressive asbestos cancer known as mesothelioma. Some patients may experience additional carboplatin side effects, especially if the dose they are given is unusually high. Your doctor will use a carboplatin dose calculator to measure the appropriate amount to give you the best possible lung cancer treatment.

In tests comparing treatment with cisplatin versus carboplatin, patients more often experienced low blood cell count as a carboplatin side effect. Recent studies point to cisplatin as a slightly better treatment for advanced mesothelioma.

What does asbestos look like? The substance comes in several forms, but all of them are very fibrous. Fibers from the natural-occuring material called asbestos are tiny. Most types are shaped like needles--long and very thin and very small. They are hard to see, but when asbestos dust is airborn, it's very easy to breathe the fibers in or get them into your mouth.

Having asbestos fibers inside your body can lead eventually to serious diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer. Treatment for mesothelioma is still evolving---doctors are constantly looking for better ways to extend the lives of patients who develop it.

Meanwhile, the best way to protect yourself from asbestos exposure in your home or workplace is to recognize the places where you might encounter asbestos. Insulation, tiles, siding, shingles, textured paint and patching compounds, etc. Read more about "what does asbestos look like" on the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) site.

If the fibers are immobilized inside concrete or some other very solid substance, they pose no danger and should be left alone. But if there is any crumbling or damage, call a professional. Do not attempt to determine the type of material yourself when there is dust or crumbling. Pay the price for a full asbestos risk assessment so that you and your family, coworkers, employees or others can sleep more peacefully at night knowing that you will not be exposed.

When chemotherapy is recommended for mesothelioma lung cancer patients who've undergone surgery to remove tumor tissue, it's usually a mix of drugs. One drug sometimes used---one that's long been used for head, neck and ovarian cancer---is called carboplatin. Side effects are of many types, though may often be less intense than with a sister drug called cisplatin. Some can be serious, others less so.  Loss of blood cells, especially white cells, is one of the most common side effects of using carboplatin. Don't leave the decision about this critical treatment to a non-expert.

When you're looking for mesothelioma advice of any kind, you want it to be accurate and to come from trustworthy sources. That's why it's important to find a doctor who's experienced with this tricky-to-diagnose, tough-to-treat disease. Despite occasional information to the contrary, mesothelioma causes boil down basically to asbestos exposure. If a medical professional doesn't realize that and is not familiar with the stages mesothelioma tends to follow, you could receive a wrong diagnosis. Or you might receive a correct one eventually, but too late to use some of the more aggressive therapies to fight it. And researchers are constantly working to improve the knowledge base about this fast-moving killer disease, so a doctor who can offer you the very best of current knowledge must be keeping up with the research.

In the same way, it's hard to know what is good mesothelioma legal advice. If you end up with an attorney who bases your case on general personal injury principles, you're not receiving the best possible representation. But if you speak with a qualified mesothelioma cancer attorney, you'll get an evaluation of your history that will give a clear indication of whether you may have a reasonable chance to win compensation for your suffering with this disease. Follow these important tips for choosing a mesothelioma trial attorney.

Review the other sections of the Mesothelioma Advice site for more helpful resources. And don't hesitate to call us with any questions on any aspect of the legal process for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit.

If you are a smoker and become exposed to asbestos fibers, your chances of developing asbestosis and other types of cancers increase dramatically. The one disease that has not been shown to occur more often in smokers is the aggressive lung cancer known as mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma causes are limited and include asbestosis itself. As of today, that and asbestos exposure are the only known sources. And if you have mesothelioma, smoking can only worsen your symptoms.

But whatever causes your mesothelioma, you have a right to competent medical treatment. Be aware that many doctors are not familiar with the disease, so if you have any hesitation about your doctor's knowledge on the subject, check elsewhere for one who specializes or look for a nearby mesothelioma lung cancer treatment center. Read our tips for choosing your care team.

And if you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you will want to speak with a qualified mesothelioma cancer attorney about the possibility of recovering compensation for your suffering and medical bills. We are happy to walk you through a history of your possible exposure and help you decide--at no charge to you--if it may make sense for you to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Call us at 800.443.6353.

It can be frightening to think you might be living around asbestos. What does asbestos look like? It's a substance made up of tiny needle-like fibers that, by itself, might be hard to distinguish without a magnifying glass. But it was used for many decades in dozens of industrial and home products such as insulation. siding, concrete, and so on, that are still around.

The key to protecting yourself is to be alert to signs asbestos might be present. If any kind of rehabbing or remodeling is going on--whether at home or at work--that's the time to be especially wary. When disturbed, asbestos fibers release into the air where people might breathe them in or accidentally ingest them. If you're buying an older home, look for disturbed insulation on pipes or in walls, look for any crumbling floor tiles or siding. If you have any doubt at all, pay a professional to do an asbestos risk assessment.

Asbestos exposure can lead to developing mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of cancer. Better to spend money on a professional opinion now than to find yourself or a loved one having to undergo lung cancer treatment sometime in the future.