Despite the incidence rate of mesothelioma decreasing in areas such as the United States, Western Europe and Australia, the number of deaths caused by mesothelioma has not decreased in these places. There is also a decent amount of mesothelioma cases that are improperly diagnosed making it hard for patients to receive the proper treatment and making accurate studies difficult.
Incidence of Mesothelioma
Approximately 20 percent to 25 percent of mesothelioma cases are not coded the right way, therefore the proper statistics are not produced. Based on findings from the World Health Organization, the highest age-standardized rates of mesothelioma in 2018 occurred in the US, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Western Europe, Australia, and Argentina.
Scientific questionnaires were created to find different levels of exposure for individuals who were exposed to asbestos occupationally, because asbestos cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Sadly, despite severe bans on asbestos in high-income countries, the number of new deaths caused by mesothelioma each year continues to rise in both high-income and low-income countries. Reasons for this increase may be increased environmental exposure to asbestos in rural areas in which asbestos is disturbed due to development, an aging population that worked with asbestos, asbestos that is already there, the continued use of asbestos in general and mesothelioma that is perhaps caused by genetic mutations.
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Genetic Predispositions
It is thought that some may have a genetic predisposition to developing mesothelioma than others. Those who have inherited germline mutations of the BAP1 gene may be more likely to get mesothelioma than those without these mutations and exposure to asbestos can make tumors develop more quickly.
Those with pleural mesothelioma commonly speak of experiencing dyspnea, caused by a pleural effusion. If doctors believe that someone may have a pleural effusion, they may recommend a chest x-ray and a CT scan. Usually, a pleural biopsy is necessary to officially diagnose someone with having a pleural effusion.
Misdiagnosis
As previously mentioned, it is not unusual for mesothelioma to be misdiagnosed as it is so rare, and a lot of pathologists do not have experience diagnosing this cancer. It is very helpful for patients to see a doctor that is experienced in caring for patients with mesothelioma.
When it comes to treatment for mesothelioma, surgery is still a controversial subject. There has not been much of a survival benefit for aggressive surgical options. However, surgery is one of the most common approaches when it comes to treatment for mesothelioma, if the patient is in good enough physical condition. The other common approach when it comes to treatment is chemotherapy. There are also multimodal approaches that are done by combining two different treatment options as well as trimodal treatment, which is when three different treatment combinations are administered.
Overall, there are different ways people can get mesothelioma, whether that be through occupational exposure, environmental exposure, or secondary exposure, however there is still much research to be done on the actual number of mesothelioma cases per year as well as the best modalities of treatment.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the Halpern Law Firm is here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our goal is to provide 100% client satisfaction and our 5-star reviews prove that we do just that. Give us a call at (800) 505-6000 or through our contact form for a free case evaluation.
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