There is no standard treatment regimen for treating the cancer mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. The FDA has not articulated a treatment regimen for the disease. How and why the disease develops is not known, except that it is brought on by asbestos-exposure . The American Cancer Society has created a list of questions for mesothelioma patients to ask their doctors. The questions include:

• What type of mesothelioma do I have?
• What is the stage of my mesothelioma (i.e. how advanced is it)?
• Has the mesothelioma spread beyond its original site?
• What treatment options do I have? Which of these options do you recommend, and why?
• What is my prognosis?
• What risks or side effects are there to the treatments you suggest?
• What are the chances that my cancer will recur with these treatment plans?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?

Early diagnosis of mesothelioma allows a greater number of treatment options including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, experimental therapies and drugs, complementary medicine and therapies, and lifestyle modifications. If you have been exposed to asbestos for long periods of time but do not have any signs of mesothelioma, it may be wise to consult with a physician experienced in the diagnosis and management of asbestos-related diseases. This is especially true since the latency period for signs of asbestos diseases , including mesothelioma, can be as long as 20-40 years after initial exposure.

Chemotherapy is often offered as a treatment for mesothelioma but most patients who receive this type of treatment do not respond favorably to it. Chemotherapy is an aggressive treatment primarily used when the disease has spread and no other treatment is an option.

Radiation is particularly helpful in managing pain and other disease side effects.

Surgery , such as a pleurectomy, is generally used to remove tumors. Palliative surgery, however, is also a treatment option. Palliative surgery relieves pressure caused by excess fluid accumulation around the affected areas and is usually performed when the tumor is too large to remove.

Complementary methods are typically used in conjunction with more traditional treatments and primarily focus on enhancing an individual's overall quality of life. Adhering to a healthy diet and exercise regimen as well as taking vitamins or other herbal remedies may help a patient cope with their disease.

If you have developed an asbestos-related condition as a result of asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to seek legal redress for your losses. Please contact us to speak an experienced asbestos attorney who can help you understand your legal rights.