South Carolina Mesothelioma Attorneys

Mesothelioma, also referred to as malignant mesothelioma, is a serious and rare cancer that is highly aggressive and is resistant to many current treatments. Each year between 2,500 and 4,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed.

What causes mesothelioma? This disease, as well as lung cancer, asbestosis and other respiratory illnesses, have been linked to the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers. This usually occurs by breathing air contaminated with microscopic asbestos fibers, often in workplaces where asbestos was manufactured or used as building material.

Mesothelioma patients are faced with months of grueling medical treatments, an overwhelming financial burden, and the sad reality of imminent death. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, and the average survival time after diagnosis varies from 4 to 18 months. The primary treatments available include radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy, although none of these have proven effective at eradicating the cancer.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may have a claim against a former employer. That claim can help you cover your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses associated with your disease. Contact the Louthian Law Firm today at Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200. or online for a free evaluation of your case . Our clients' needs come first and we will get you the compensation you deserve.

According to the National Cancer Institute, mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) "is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum (abdomen)."

There are three areas in which mesothelioma cancer begins, with the type of mesothelioma named for the organ in which the cancer originates.

• Pleural Mesothelioma begins in the chest cavity with the metastases moving to any organ, including the lungs and brain.
• Peritoneal Mesothelioma penetrates the abdominal cavity and typically spreads to the liver, spleen or the bowel.
• Pericardial Mesothelioma affects the pericardium, the double-walled sac that contains the heart.

Symptoms of mesothelioma are varied and often times resemble the flu. Depending on where the cancer is located the symptoms will be slightly different. The primary symptoms which present themselves up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos include:

• Trouble breathing;
• Persistent cough;
• Pain under the rib cage;
• Pain or swelling in the abdomen;
• Lumps in the abdomen;
• Weight loss for no known reason;
• Chest pain;
• Irregular heartbeat.

Once mesothelioma is diagnosed it is "staged" according to the size and location of the tumor. The stages range from stage I where the cancer is localized and has not yet spread beyond the affected organ, to stage 4 where the cancer has spread into other organs and is at an advanced stage.

The treatment options for mesothelioma vary depending on several key factors, such as the location and size of the tumor, the extent to which the cancer has spread, the stage of cancer and the overall health of the patient. The three traditional choices, used in the treatment of other cancers as well, focus on destroying the cancerous cells and preserving the healthy ones. Those are options are surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells, and radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.

The actual treatment may involve a combination of therapies. There are additional non-standard treatments that are options for patients including photodynamic therapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy, as well as alternative treatments involving homeopathic remedies and mind/body focused care. Clinical trials, which are studies conducted with cancer patients to determine whether a new approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis or treatment is safe and effective, are also available.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis you may be entitled to financial compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, physical disability, and emotional pain and suffering. If you are considering an asbestos-related lawsuit, it is important to talk with an attorney with significant experience in South Carolina law. The Louthian Law Firm has been trying -- and winning -- lawsuits in South Carolina since 1959. We're committed to providing excellent, personalized service and the best results for our clients. To speak with a Columbia , SC mesothelioma attorney today, call us at Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200..

South Carolina Asbestos-related Disease Attorney Disclaimer : The mesothelioma, asbestos or other legal asbestos-disease related information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney-client relationship. Further communication with our attorneys through the Web site and e-mail may not be considered as confidential or privileged. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee. Please contact a Columbia , SC personal injury lawyer at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A. for a consultation on your particular personal injury matter.

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