News

Mesothelioma is a serious type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. For those with the disease, an early diagnosis is key to having the best possible results in terms of treatment. However, mesothelioma can be hard to diagnose, especially in the beginning stages of the disease.

A doctor should be advised anytime a patient has been exposed to asbestos, even if that exposure occurred decades ago. It can take several decades after asbestos exposure for mesothelioma to develop.

Mesothelioma is a rare disease that is often misdiagnosed. Let’s take a look at one recent case where mesothelioma was not diagnosed even after the patient sought medical help twice.

A case of misdiagnosis

This year, an Australian woman came to the United States with her husband to travel along Route 66. Before the trip, she had been experiencing some health problems, including shortness of breath and chest pain.

When still in Australia, she visited her doctor, who ordered who to go to the hospital where an ultrasound was performed. She was instructed to double her medication and go home.

On her next visit, a day before her trip to the U.S., paramedics told her she may have pulled a muscle in her back.

Once she go to the United States, she could barely breathe. She sought medical help and found out that her chest cavity had filled with fluid and one of her lungs had collapsed. After surgery was performed to drain the fluid, a biopsy was performed, and it was discovered that she had mesothelioma.

The first two times she sought medical attention, doctors did not figure out that she had mesothelioma – even after she had notified them her brother had been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Since mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, it would not be surprising that both siblings had been exposed, and that that exposure would one day develop into an asbestos-related cancer.

Avoiding misdiagnosis of mesothelioma

When mesothelioma is diagnosed early, more treatment options may be available. For this reason and many others, an accurate and early diagnosis is crucial.

If you have been exposed to asbestos at some point in your life – or if a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma – it is important to share this information with your doctor.

It is advisable to seek a second opinion when you are not comfortable with your diagnosis or when you don’t feel like your doctor is hearing your concerns. Your health is important, and you should feel empowered to seek a second opinion if your diagnosis does not seem accurate.

Free consultation: If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and wish to speak to an attorney about your legal options, please call 866-774-0795.