If a doctor has diagnosed you or a loved one with mesothelioma, you are facing a battle. Treatments for mesothelioma in Texas could potentially include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, or perhaps all three in your future. It’s a time to be strong, lean on your loved ones, and grow even closer with the people you trust.
The first thing to do is to ensure that you are under the care of a doctor who specializes in mesothelioma. This is a cancer with its own unique characteristics and patterns, and a doctor who deeply understands them makes a big difference in improving your prognosis. If you need to be connected with a specialist and pursue a legal claim, a mesothelioma lawyer at Ted Lyon Law would be pleased to help. We know of several highly reputable doctors in Texas whose work with mesothelioma patients is impressive.
Mesothelioma: What Is It & What Compensation Is Available?
Mesothelioma: Why Choose a Texas Attorney?
What Mesothelioma Treatment Options Do You Have?
Your Texas doctor will determine which course of mesothelioma treatment best fits your needs. If the cancer is still localized, there may be several treatments that are suited to you, whereas if the cancer has spread, the options may be more limited.
Surgery
Removing the cancerous tumor(s) through surgery may be a viable option, particularly for patients who are diagnosed early. The surgery for mesothelioma usually involves removing lymph nodes, the mesothelial lining, part or all of a lung, or part or all of another organ. Surgery is often one part of a multi-pronged approach that includes chemotherapy and sometimes radiation. For advanced patients, surgery may not be available to remove the cancer, but it may still be used to alleviate symptoms and increase the quality of life.
Chemotherapy
Like other cancers, mesothelioma often responds to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of certain drugs to kill cancer cells and prevent cancer from spreading (metastasis). It is often used in combination with surgery and/or radiation. There are two types of chemotherapy:
- Systemic: drugs are administered through an IV or in pill form
- Interoperative: this is concentrated chemotherapy applied during surgery, directly to the affected area.
Radiation
Radiation is another method of killing cancer cells and preventing them from spreading. It uses beams, like X-rays, to target cancer cells and damage them. Radiation is usually used in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Radiation is not an option for all mesothelioma sufferers and will depend on things like age, stage of cancer and overall health.
The two main types of radiation therapy for mesothelioma are:
- External beam radiation (EBRT): a non-invasive procedure that targets tumors with intense radiation. Computers guide the beams, which are aimed at avoiding organs.
- Brachytherapy: less common than EBRT, this is a highly targeted treatment where radioactive seeds are implanted in the body, directly on the tumor. They can be permanently implanted or removed after several weeks/months.
Contact a Texas Attorney to Talk About Your Legal Options and Compensation for Mesothelioma Treatment
If you are receiving treatment for mesothelioma in Texas and you’re in need of compensation for medical expenses, pain, and suffering, or other damages, the attorneys of Ted Lyon Law are here to help. Call 877-Ted-Lyon (833-5966) or contact us online to arrange a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a lawyer to find out what we can do for you.
