by Jason Wentworth
It has been reported that a surgical procedure known as Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP) can prolong the survival time for pleural mesothelioma patients. According to the Australian researchers who evaluated the surgical procedure, the best candidates for EPP are those whose cancer is detected at an early stage.
EPP involves removing part of the pleura (lining of the lung), part of the pericardium (lining of the heart), part of the diaphragm and the lung affected by mesothelioma cancer. After the surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used. The researchers found from examining 34 studies on EPP that the median survival rate was prolonged to 27.5 months from 9.4 months. Approximately 83% of the patients were alive a year after the surgery and about 24% lived for at least 5 years.
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral that was used extensively in various products. Its commercial value can be attributed to its inexpensiveness, flexibility, durability and resistance to heat. Asbestos however, was known to cause cancer as far back as the 1930s. Regardless of this fact, companies continued using asbestos to protect profitability. As a result, about 3,000 people die from malignant mesothelioma every year in the U.S. alone.
The legal system recognizes the injustice perpetrated by the asbestos industry and awards financial compensation to mesothelioma patients with valid legal claims. The prosecution of a mesothelioma lawsuit requires the skill of an experienced asbestos attorney. Selecting the wrong attorney can cause a patient to lose valuable compensation that he or she may be entitled to. A favorable resolution of a mesothelioma case can allow a patient to pay for the cost of cancer care and support loved ones.
Weitz & Luxenberg mesothelioma lawyers have been specializing in mesothelioma cases since 1986. The firm has won over $1 billion in asbestos cancer cases. Weitz & Luxenberg mesothelioma attorneys handle mesothelioma cases on a no-win, no-fee basis. That is, the firm does not get paid if it fails to win a settlement or verdict for a client. If the firm succeeds in obtaining a verdict or settlement, it collects a fraction of that amount as its legal fee. For more information and a free case review, visit http://www.weitzlux.com. For information on jobs involving a risk of developing mesothelioma, visit www.mesotheliomajobs.com.
About the Author
Jason works closely with the lawyers at Weitz & Luxenberg in raising public awareness of the dangers of asbestos and various pharmaceutical products. He is an experienced paralegal.
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