Cancer Society

Mesothelioma Doctors-How do You Find the Best One For You Author: Bello kamorudeen

Many decades ago, doctors had limited knowledge of mesothelioma cancer, most cases of the disease were seen by family doctors who had very little knowledge about the cancer, the symptoms and methods of treating the cancer.

Although this asbestos related cancer is rare in comparison to other more common types of cancer, there has been a gradual increase in the number of diagnosed cases over the past 20-30 years, some medical doctors have become specialist and experts in the diagnosis and treatment of this terrible disease.

Most times the first medical professional that a mesothelioma patient will have contact with will be their family physician. The family physician will order for several imaging tests once there is reasonable clinical suspicion, to be able to make definitive diagnosis. Once a definitive diagnosis is made, the family physician will refer the patient to an oncologist, who may be located in the area where the patient lives.

However while most oncologists are familiar with mesothelioma, because of the rarity of the disease not all of them have enough experience in treating this type of cancer.

Many patients would rather prefer to look for the best top mesothelioma experts in the country so that they can get the best available medical care.

Most of these top mesothelioma experts work in the nations best hospitals located in the major cities. These doctors have built a reputation over time based on their knowledge and exemplary care. Most of these doctors are usually involved in ongoing research work, so they can give the patient latest information on clinical trials, and other aspects of the disease.

Some of these mesothelioma experts are not oncologists, though they have sound knowledge and experience in cancer treatment. Quite a number of them are respiratory physicians, known as pulmonologists; these are doctors specializing in the treatment of diseases of the lungs. Some other ones are Thoracic Surgeons; these are doctors that specialize in performing surgeries of the lungs, chest wall, esophagus and diaphragm. A patient can make a choice from these different medical experts, all of them can offer good medical care once they become familiar with the persons disease and particulars.

Most of the time, mesothelioma patients living in the small towns will have to travel to the major cities where the large hospitals where these experts work are situated. This usually involves additional expenses on traveling, lodging, feeding etc, but most patients do not mind the extra money that they will have to spend. Most of these hospitals assists out of town patients to find affordable accommodations to stay while some offer their own lodging options to patients who have traveled over a great distance to come to the hospital.

Patients are also advised to check their medical insurance carriers before making a decision on their preferred medical expert. Insurance policies are different and some policies may actually cover travel and other expenses that will be incurred when attempting to see an expert. Again, an administrator in the doctor’s office or hospital personnel may be able to help determine what is covered and what is not. Meeting with a doctor before making a definitive choice is often a good idea. Though he/she may be an expert in the field of mesothelioma, patients should strive to choose someone with whom they believe they can work well. Having a good rapport with your doctor is essential in building trust and open lines of communication are certainly a must. Take time to interview a doctor before making a final decision.

South Carolina

James Bradof, M.D. SC

Tennessee

Spencer McCachren, M.D. Thompson Cancer Center Knoxville, TN (423) 541-1812 Texas Department Of Clinical Investigation University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center 1515 Holcombe Blvd., P.O. Box 39 Houston, TX 77030 (713) 792-7959

Washington

Dr. Eric Vallieres P.O. Box 356310 1959 NE Pacific Seattle, WA 98195-6310 (206) 543-3093 Washington, D.C. Cesar A. Moran, M.D. Department of the Army Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Washington, DC 20306

Dr. Paul Sugarbaker Sugarbaker Oncology Associates, P.C. 110 Irving St., NW Washington, DC 20010 (202) 877-3908 Wisconsin

Joan H. Schiller, M.D. H. Ian Robins, M.D. University of Wisconsin Madison, WI

Breast tumor markers are they useful? Author: Mai Brooks

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American women. In 2009, approximately 194,280 patients are estimated to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 62,280 with carcinoma in situ. An estimated 40,610 will die of this disease. For a woman of average risk, the lifetime incidence of breast cancer is one in eight.

Serum tumor markers for breast cancer used in the clinic include CA 15-3, CEA (carcinoembyonic antigen), and CA 27-29. All have low sensitivity and specificity, and thus not helpful in detecting early breast cancer. CA 15-3 levels are increased in approximately 5-30% of patients with stage 1 disease, 15-50% with stage 2, 60-70% with stage 3, and 65-90% with stage 4. CA 15-3 measurements are also elevated in 15-20% of women with benign breast conditions, 50-60% with liver disease, 20-70% pulmonary malignancies, 15-60% of gastrointestinal/colonic malignancies, and 40-60% of ovarian cancer cases. CEA is more prevalent in colorectal cancer, whereas CA 27-29 is more specific for breast cancer. These three tumor markers have, however, been validated for monitoring treatment in patients with advanced disease, particularly if the cancer cannot be evaluated with conventional imaging. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends the use of CEA, CA 15-3 and CA 27-29 only in metastatic settings, whereas the European Group on Tumor Markers recommends their use in disease surveillance in general.

With the current technology, circulating tumor cells have been found in very few cases of early stage breast cancer. Circulating tumor cells detected in both localized and metastatic breast cancer patients have been associated with worse outcome. Circulating tumor cells may also predict response to therapy.

There is much ongoing research to investigate new biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Blood-based markers include cells, DNA, RNA, peptides, sugars, and autoantibodies. Breast-based markers such as nipple/ductal fluid and breast fine needle aspiration (FNA) also include cells, DNA, RNA, proteins, sugars, and autoantibodies.

In the future, it is likely that a combination approach to measure simultaneously multiple markers would be most successful in detecting early breast cancer. Ideally, such a biomarker panel should be able to detect breast cancer in asymptomatic patients, and improve the accuracy of screening mammograms. A reliable biomarker signature may also signify new breast cancer, even in the setting of normal mammogram and physical examination, and would indicate further more intensive diagnostic workup and/or preventive treatment.

Malignant Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma-What is This? Author: Bello kamorudeen

In histological terms, there are four different types of mesothelioma: sarcomatoid, epithelial, biphasic, and desmoplastic (a variant of sarcomatoid).In medical terms, the term histopathology refers to the microscopic examination of cellular tissue to gain insight into the manifestations of various diseases.

Malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least common of the four cellular types. It accounts for approximately 7 to 20 percent of cases. When viewed under a microscope,the malignant cells appear as elongated spindle-shaped cells that are irregularly shaped and often overlap one another.

Desmoplastic mesothelioma is considered a variant of sarcomatoid mesothelioma. This form is likely the most difficult of all mesotheliomas to diagnose. When desmoplastic mesothelioma invades or metastasizes, the cells can appear very bland and can be misdiagnosed as benign fibrous tissue. Medical experts say this form should not be diagnosed with a needle core biopsy. It’s important to know that malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma is sometimes difficult to diagnose on the basis of histological methods. For example, cells of another type of cancer called pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma are very similar in appearance (as well as other characteristics) to malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

For this reason, if you are diagnosed with cancer and you know that you have been exposed to asbestos at some time in the past, obtaining a second diagnostic opinion may be important. Different types of cancer vary widely in terms of prognosis and treatment options, and if misdiagnosed, patients may not receive the most appropriate treatment for their cancer.

Treatment and Prognosis

Each of the four cellular forms of mesothelioma is generally treated in the same way. Treatment is not based on the specific type of cells involved, but instead on the location of tumors and the stage of the cancer. Each type of cancer responds to treatment very differently. In general, patients with malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma have a poorer prognosis than patients with the epithelioid type , as sarcomatoid cancers are more aggressive and more resistant to treatment. Unfortunately, the general prognosis for all the different types is usually poor, and the difference in prognosis between sarcomatoid, epithelioid, biphasic and desmoplastic cancers may amount to as little as a few months.

Biopsy and Histopathology

Patients undergoing medical evaluation to ascertain a diagnosis of mesothelioma will also have to undergo a variety of medical tests to determine the location and nature of the cancer.

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy-What Determines It? Author: Bello kamorudeen

Medical science has tried to increase the life expectancy for mesothelioma patients for decades. Since there is presently no known definitive cure for mesothelioma, the goal of the presently available intensive treatment for mesothelioma patients is to help prolong their life expectancy or improve the patient’s overall quality of life.

What are the factors that determine a Mesothelioma Patient’s Life Expectancy? This type of cancer is a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient is affected by numerous factors including:

* Latency period – The asbestos fibers that cause mesothelioma over time can lay dormant in the body for up to 50 years before causing any significant symptom or sign in the patient. This long period of latency often results in a late diagnosis. Most of the time the diagnosis is not made until the tumor has reached an advanced stage, making mesothelioma treatment difficult and sometimes ineffective. Mesothelioma patients diagnosed in later stages will typically receive palliative treatments rather than curative, which serve to make the patient more comfortable and increase their quality of life rather than cure the disease.

* Age at the time of Diagnosis- Research has shown that the average age of a mesothelioma patient is 60. If fact, more than 75 percent of mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the United States occur in men age 55 or older. However, some researchers believe the average age is dropping due to the influx of cases from secondary exposure. When an older person develops mesothelioma cancer, the presence of other health- age related problems may lead to certain challenges during treatment as their treatment might require modifications. These might include heart disease, additional lung ailments, and high blood pressure. Advanced age and the presence of other diseases can significantly affect and reduce patient’s life span.

* The Type of Mesothelioma – There are three common types of mesothelioma that mesothelioma victims usually develop. The commonest form is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. Other forms of the disease include peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma, which affect the lining of the abdomen and heart. Since pleural mesothelioma affects the most mesothelioma patients, more knowledge and research about this form of the cancer is available to utilize when detailing a treatment plan, often making the life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma patients longer.

* Smoking – Smoking greatly decreases the life span of people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma should quit smoking immediately. Improving Life Expectancy

Those dedicated to researching mesothelioma are constantly testing new ways to improve the life expectancy of patients with the disease. This is carried out mainly through clinical trials, which test new drugs and treatments. Many promising alternatives to traditional treatments have been developed from clinical trials and patients often benefit from participating. Tests for early detection of mesothelioma are also being developed, which may result in more effective treatment of the disease.

The life expectancy of mesothelioma patients can also be affected by treatment. Mesothelioma patients may elect to undergo treatment to combat the disease, remove the cancer and kill cancerous cells. A doctor will make treatment recommendations based on a series of factors. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most common mesothelioma treatment options for patients.

Stage 4 Mesothelioma-Important Points For You To know Author: Bello kamorudeen

By the time mesothelioma has reached Stage 4 classification, the tumor has advanced and spread to different sites far away from the primary location. Most times mesothelioma spreads to vital organs like the brain, other areas in the chest cavity and into vital organs situated in the abdominal cavity.

The TNM System

The TNM system categorizes cancer based on three factors:1} the size of the tumor, 2}whether the cancer has spread from its point of origin to nearby lymph nodes, and 3}whether the cancer has metastasized. This system may be used to stage pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. The T stands for the size of the tumor, the N stands for the extent of lymph node involvement, and the M for the extent of distant metastases. This is the commonest staging system used for most cancers.

The Butchart System

The Butchart System categorizes the different stages of the cancer based mainly on the size and spread of the primary tumor. This system has four stages. In Stage 4 of the Butchart system, mesothelioma has metastasized, spreading through the bloodstream to organs and tissues that are distant from the primary tumor site.

The Brigham System

The Brigham system is a relatively new system of staging mesothelioma. This system classify mesothelioma into different stages based on whether or not tumors can be removed via surgery {resectability of the tumor mass}, and whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. The Brigham system includes four stages. In Stage 4 of the Brigham system, mesothelioma is inoperable due to the large size of tumors and it has penetrated into vital organs. In addition, mesothelioma has metastasized to other locations, meaning cancer is more than likely to recur even if primary tumors are removed.

How is Stage 4 Mesothelioma Treated?

Patients with stage 4 have few treatment options. With Stage 4 mesothelioma, the prognosis is generally very poor due to the spread of cancer to multiple locations. Additionally, primary tumors have often penetrated too deeply into organs and tissues to be removed. The general health of stage 4 patients would have also declined to a level where the patient is too weak to withstand the physical stress of surgery.

Stage 4 treatments are therefore limited to palliative treatments that are used to relieve symptoms of the disease. These may include procedures such as thoracentesis or paracentesis, where built-up fluid is removed from the lungs or abdomen to relieve pain and pressure on internal organs. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be used to shrink tumors to provide symptomatic relief. As these treatments often have serious side effects, patients should carefully consider whether or not they wish to endure such treatments at this final stage.

Mesothelioma Chemotherapy: Looking at the use of Pemetrexed in the treatment of mesothelioma Author: Bello kamorudeen

These group of drugs block the uptake of folic acid by cells of the body, cells require folic acid to power the process of growth and multiplication, and once the uptake is blocked the cancerous cells will not be able to continue dividing and multiplying.

Pemetrexed can be combined with another anti cancer agent called carboplatin and this combination has been known to increase the life span of patients by as much as three years.

If you are a patient suffering from this cancer, and your oncologist has recommended the use of Pemetrexed as part of your cancer treatment, it is important to obtain information about nutritional supplements that may be necessary during the course of chemotherapy. Because Pemetrexed blocks the vitamin B from reaching health tissue, supplementing diet with oral folic acid, prior to treatment, is important.

Side Effects in Treating Lung Cancer of chemotherapy drugs is a major concern for those receiving treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma but the side effects associated with pemetrexed are less common when compared with other chemotherapy drugs however it can cause anemia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of weight, itching and burning between treatments and even muscle aches and pains as some of its own side effects.

The use of Pemetrexed is contraindicated {that is, it can not be used} in patients with kidney diseases, liver disease, heart disease, shingles, and gout. When discussing treatment options with your health care professional, inquire about the use of Pemetrexed, in combination with carboplatin, this drug combination will help to relieve you of some of the symptoms of the cancer and it will also improve your prognosis.

Once you are placed on this combination make sure you supplement your diet with appropriate dose of folic acid to help your normal healthy tissues to continue to grow and multiply normally.

To be able to cope very well with treatment every mesothelioma victim should seek for adequate knowledge about the disease and the different modes of treatment.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Author: Bello kamorudeen

Asbestos is a fibrous material which has been in use for a long time mainly for its fire resistant qualities. Asbestos is a preferred building material due to its fire resistant and heat resistant capability coupled with the fact that it is not expensive.

Asbestos was very popular amongst California business owners in the early and mid 20’s and they used it in nearly every way they could. They tried to use asbestos to create safer, and cheaper buildings, but time has proven that these building are not any safer, nor are they more cheaper,as the high cost of treating the mesothelioma disease that they caused, they also lead to loss of lives.

Asbestos was once used in everything from automotive parts, clothing, and blankets. It was a natural choice for fire fighter gear. The asbestos material, looked like it was the absolute safest and most rewarding discovery of the 20th century, with buildings, homes, and businesses less likely to burn to the ground with the use of asbestos. The fact that about 3000 people died annually from Mesothelioma , made people to start to see things differently after some time.

Mesothelioma is a direct and profound consequence of long term exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers are in fact the only known cause of Mesothelioma. The great tragedy of Mesothelioma is far more insidious than the fact that thousands of people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma every year, but that the knowledge of what asbestos may very well do to the interior of those who were around it regularly has been well known since the 1920s.

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases with a virtual 100% mortality rate.Most cases will die within a year or two. The material that was often used to protect buildings from fire damage affected the internal organs of the people who worked with it, sentencing these hard working Californians early and painful deaths.

Asbestos affects slowly the lining of the organs, usually attacking the lining of the lungs. It may take somewhere between 10 and 40 years before the damage from asbestos becomes evident in the form of Mesothelioma. Those who worked with it never felt ill or had any physical warning signs that there was anything wrong.

The mortality rate has decreased slightly, as those who are now aware that they worked with asbestos in the past are receiving medical evaluations prior to having symptoms. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are finding their vigilance was warranted. However, with early detection, the survival rate has increased slightly.

For so many, early detection was never a possibility. So few companies were willing to inform their employees that they had been exposed to asbestos for fear of being compelled to reach reasonable and fair financial settlements with the victims of Mesothelioma and their families. Companies which had saved so much by effectively placing their employees at considerable risk need qualified California mesothelioma lawyers to stand up to them in order to provide financial relief from the devastation caused by asbestos.

Mesothelioma lawsuits are unfortunately the only available method of holding companies responsible for their asbestos negligence. A valid mesothelioma lawsuit will not only assists the victim in covering his astronomical medical expenses, but they also help to create awareness and ethical actions by other companies faced with choices during construction.

California mesothelioma lawyers who have excelled in the representation of Mesothelioma victims have surpassed most attorneys in providing aggressive care and representation for their clients. Mesothelioma has become such a glaring example of lack of company concern for their valuable employees. Big companies are required to examine their practices and their human obligation because of Mesothelioma lawsuits and the vast expense of Mesothelioma settlements.

Most of the companies chose to provide less than adequate protection for their workers but chose to provide good fire protection for their buildings. They did not mind some of their workers falling ill of even dying as long as they were able to preserve their buildings.

California workers have had enough of California bad business practice of placing production and performance over the health of their workers. The public needs to let these exploitative Carlifornia companies know that they would not allow them to exploit them any longer, they must challenge them in courts through the use of Mesothelioma lawsuits.

Pleural Mesothelioma-Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment-Basic facts you need to know Author: Bello kamorudeen

Pleural mesothelioma is the commonest type of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks the mesothelial cells in the mesothelium, the tissue that forms the membranous lining of the body’s major internal organs and cavities.

Pleural mesothelioma develops when the cancer affects the pleura {the membranous lining of the lungs}.This form of cancer is commonest in the UK, followed by South Africa, then Australia, then USA, then Eastern Europe.

The pleura has two layers which gives support and protection to the lungs and chest cavity:

-The outer layer, or parietal layer, lines the entire chest cavity and the diaphragm.

-The inner layer or the visceral layer which applies directly over the lungs.

Pleural mesothelioma can start from any of these two layers then spread to the other layer. Exposure to asbestos has been strongly linked to the development of this type of cancer. The toxic fibers get trapped in the spaces between the mesothelial cells of the pleura.

Symptoms

The asbestos fibers trapped in the body cause cancerous cells to multiply and divide haphazardly without control. These results in the thickening of the pleural membrane and mesothelial cells, leading to fluid build up in the pleura {pleural effusion}. This accumulated fluid will gradually start pressing on the lungs and the respiratory system leading abnormal and difficult breathing.

These developments eventually form the basis of most of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. These symptoms include:

A} Persistent dry or raspy cough

B} Haemoptysis, the coughing up of blood in the sputum

C} Difficulty in swallowing {dysphagia}

D} Difficulty in breathing, labored breathing known as dyspnoea

E} Pleurisy, pain in the chest during breathing

F} Development of lumps under the skin of the chest wall

G} Night sweats or fever

H} Unexplained weight loss

I} Fatigue

Diagnosis

Just like in other forms of mesothelioma, the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma show up many years after the initial exposure to asbestos and these symptoms are not specific to pleural mesothelioma, they also occur in some other less serious lung diseases like pneumonia and influenza.

All these factors make the diagnosis of pleura mesothelioma very difficult.

Once there is a strong clinical suspicion of pleural mesothelioma, diagnosis is then confirmed by imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scan, to confirm the location of the cancer. The patient is also subjected to fluid and tissue analysis known as biopsy to confirm the type of cancer involved.

Treatment

Newly developed drugs and detection techniques have improved the outlook for patients with pleural mesothelioma.

In general there are three main modes of treatment: a} Surgery b} Chemotherapy c} Radiotherapy. Most patients receive a combination of two or more of the different modes of treatment.

The earlier the cancer is detected, the better the prognosis and the wider the range of treatment options. When the tumor is detected early, curative surgery is done to remove the cancer, this is followed by chemotherapy or and radiotherapy to kill off any remnant cancerous cells. Curative surgeries is only carried out in patients that have good general state of health and whose cancers have not spread beyond localized sections of the lungs.

The level of progression of the tumor is classified in terms of the stage of the cancer. The stages range from stage 1 to stage 4 depending on the level of spread of the tumor.

Stage 1 and Stage 2 pleural mesothelioma have better prognosis and better treatment options.

The latter stages of the cancer, namely stage 3 and stage 4 are mostly limited to palliative modes of treatment to improve the quality of life and not their prognosis. These palliative treatments include the draining of excessive fluids in the pleural spaces and surgical removal of tumors to relieve pressure on the lungs.

According to current studies, approximately 10% of all pleural mesothelioma patients will survive for three to five years after diagnosis and 5% will survive for 5 years and above.

Lung cancer treatment: Deguelin playing essential role for lung cancer Author: koay lye chin

In year 2002, scientist found out that Deguelin was being able to inhibit the growth of lung cancer cell and other precancerous. The findings also published in US Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Deguelin was widely used as an insecticide in South American and African.Degueline is a chemopreventive activities and be able to reduce lung cancer tumor incidence and other form of cancer like colon.

Deguelin has been very effective to inhibit the growth of malignant particular for lung cancer. It as an inhibitor of AKT or protein kinase B, is it has recognized as a molecule that spread over of tumor cell, Degueline contain no toxic effect cancer cell. However, if patient overdose of it may cause nerves, lung and heart disease, so that reasonable dose should be taken even is a naturally substance. It considered another form of lung cancer treatment.

Besides that, deguelin was being found out it be able to prevent lung cancer from a smoking. Deguelin as a chemical make huge reduction of the lung cancer tumors. Scientist recommended that each day take twice with 4mg/kg is a less chance of developing lung cancer from whom smoking or non smoking but high exposure in passive smoking area. Deguelin may considered lung cancer treatment early stage of lung cancer, scientist found that degueline inhibiting AKT activities with 10 to 100 Mm where small molecule originally from natural substance where marked reduction malignant

“The results of our study provide evidence for the first time that Akt is essential in the growth of precancerous human bronchial epithelial cell line, and that deguelin can be a potential chemopreventive agent against lung cancer,” according to Ho-Young Lee, Ph.D., lead investigator of the study, which was conducted by researchers at UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Mesothelioma-Commonly Asked Legal Questions Author: Bello kamorudeen

I have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Should I see a solicitor?

Yes, if at all possible, as medical experts estimate that approximately 95% of all mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos (usually in the workplace) and, more often than not, someone else (be it an employer,factory owner, or asbestos manufacturer) is to blame. Often people say” but, no one knew of the risks in those days; it was so long ago”, and put off the idea of taking legal advice, assuming nothing can be done. In actual fact, more often than not, there is a legal remedy, even if an employer has apparently ceased to exist. Therefore, it is unsafe to assume that no legal action can be taken.

-Do I need to see a solicitor right away?

Depending on the treatment you are receiving and how you are feeling, it is wise to take legal advice as soon as you possibly can as there are time limits for all personal injury claims. As a general rule a court action(”proceedings”) must be started within 3 years of the diagnosis (or from the time you first suspected that you are suffering from an asbestos related disease). Although the Court has a discretion to set aside the 3 year”limitation period” (as it is called), technically your claim would be time barred if you did not issue proceedings within the 3 years. In any event,given the poor prognosis, most people do not want to delay taking legal action. Since the civil justice system was reformed in 1999, claims do not tend to take as long as they did, but it is still possible to have a claim “expedited”, if the medical evidence suggests that someone’s life expectancy is very limited.

-Can I seek the services of any solicitor?

Most solicitors now tend to specialise; the days of the “general practitioner”are numbered. Even so, regrettably, some solicitors who are not experienced in this particular field do take on mesothelioma claims and that can have unfortunate consequences, especially as most employers’ liability insurance companies (on the other side) instruct specialist firms to defend such claims. In that situation, it would not be a level playing field.Therefore, it is always sensible to seek out a solicitor who specialises in asbestos related disease litigation. Before instructing a solicitor, it is always worth asking about his/her qualifications and track record. For example, are they members of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel and/or the College of Personal Injury Law (CPIL). How many asbestos related disease cases have they successfully concluded within the last 3 years? Is the person you are dealing with a qualified solicitor?

-How much will it cost me ?

Although Legal Aid is now rarely available for personal injury claims, the 3 main funding options are:
Conditional Fee (”no win: no fee”) Agreement {contigency arrangement}
Trade Union funding
Legal expenses insurance
As a consequence of changes introduced by the Access to Justice Act 2000, pursuing a personal injury compensation claim should not cost you a lot of money. Most (good) solicitors offer a free initial interview, even if a home visit is required (as is often the case). The solicitor should then discuss the various funding options at the outset, before any claim is intimated. If you are in a trade union/professional association, or have legal expenses insurance cover, then you may not have anything to pay, subject to the terms of the union agreement, or legal expenses insurance policy.
If your solicitor is prepared to take the case on a “no win: no fee” basis, then you may have to pay a one off insurance premium (which is recoverable in the event of a successful claim). However, the insurance cover will protect you against the risk of having to pay the other side’s costs in the event that the claim is lost or discontinued (provided court proceedings have been started). If you are successful, then the opposing party/insurance company will pay the claimant’s basic legal costs and also a “success fee” in addition.
Following the introduction of the new rules,relating to costs, claimants are now in a much better position than they were and you may not have to pay anything at all if the solicitor operates a “no cost to you” policy. However, be aware that some firms/organizations offering “no cost” policies/deals may not necessarily have the relevant expertise, as they mainly deal with “fast track” (low value) personal injury claims. Industrial disease claims are complex and require skillful handling. [*This is the lawyers reward for taking the case on and facing the possibility that he/she will not be paid anything at all if the case is lost]

-I have not received a definitive diagnosis, but I have been told that I probably have mesothelioma, should I seek the services of an attorney even though the diagnosis is not 100% confirmed?

This cancer is a very difficult disease to diagnose accurately as most of its usual symptoms also occur in a lot of other common lung and abdominal diseases. Doctors are sometimes not 100% certain even when they have a strong clinical diagnosis. Legal claims for damages can be proven on the balance of probabilities {that is more likely than not}, so if there is a strong probability medically that you have mesothelioma, you should seek the services of a solicitor who will investigate your claim. The limitation period in most places start from the time there is a reasonable suspicion of asbestos related disease and not from when a 100% confirmed diagnosis is made, so it very wise to seek for legal representation quickly and your attorney will advise you on the necessary steps to take.