Asbestos and mesothelioma illnesses often go undiagnosed. It is hard to pinpoint all the reasons why this occurs. However, this helps to highlight the importance of finding a medical professional dedicated to learning if you have mesothelioma or an asbestos-related illness. The earlier you acquire an accurate diagnosis, the earlier you can take steps to improve and extend your life.
Another critical reason to get a proper diagnosis as early as possible is to find out about the available legal remedies. This can help you acquire financial compensation, which in turn helps you cope with and manage your illness.
At this time, medical professionals have access to a range of testing procedures used to diagnose mesothelioma. Below is a brief description of three of these testing methods:
- Blood tests: Many mesothelioma victims have higher concentrations of certain substances – osteopontin, fibulin-3, and soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRPs) – in their blood. If your doctor finds elevated levels of such substances, more testing is typically required.
- Needle biopsies: This test involves removing a small piece of tissue from the body for careful examination. Again, further testing may be required to make an accurate diagnosis.
- Imaging procedures: Doctors can use technology such as x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to get a closeup look at what is happening inside your body. Often, these imaging tests can identify cancerous cells, which may or may not indicate mesothelioma.
- Fluid testing: Sometimes, mesothelioma causes a buildup of fluids in the body. Doctors can extract and examine these fluids to look for signs of cancers like mesothelioma.
Living with mesothelioma or asbestos-related illness is neither easy nor affordable for most Seattle, WA, residents. Acquiring compensation is often the best or even the only way for these victims to live as long and as comfortably as possible.