Thursday, January 1, 2009

Why That You Need Asbestos/Mesothelioma Lawyer For and What to Look For If You Do

What is a asbestos or mesothelioma lawyer? Asbestos or mesothelioma lawyer's a lawyer that deals in cases involving clients who have or may get mesothelioma cancer. In case you don't know what is an asbestos or mesothelioma cancer is an extremely rare yet fatal form of cancer caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. Typically most people who develop mesothelioma cancer are those who had jobs in asbestos related fields. So in that case you will need a lawyer for this asbestos or mesothelioma cancer.

This means that the vast majority of people who have have developed mesothelioma cancer may be entitled to some form of financial compensation. This is where a mesothelioma lawyer comes in. They will be able to determine if and how much money you and your loved ones may be entitled as a result of negligence of certain companies.

Now many people are unsure about hiring a mesothelioma lawyer because they feel it is somehow wrong to seek compensation as a result of a disease. Now I certainly sympathize with this view. Anybody who has had to go through the pain and suffering of mesothelioma cancer or seen a loved go through it knows how painful it can be.

However, the thing is that in the United States some asbestos and a few other companies have put aside billions of dollars to deal with compensation claims that resulted from their negligence. A mesothelioma lawyer will be able to determine if you are entitled to these funds of not. Thus, it is your right to determine how much, if any, compensation you should be getting.

Before choosing a mesothelioma lawyer though I have a few things you should consider. The most important thing should be their background and experience. How many cases such as yours have they dealt with? Did they go to court or were they able to avoid it? These are important thing to consider.

Closely related to this is their track record in terms of winning and financial compensation received. Not only do you want a mesothelioma lawyer who has a proven track record of winning but one that is able to get the maximum amount for you. To cover your medical expenses and other related costs you want to make sure you get every penny you are owed.

Also, you will want to consider the lawyers fees. Some will ask to only get paid if they are successful but that will mean giving up more of your settlement compared to paying an upfront fee. Your situation and state of residence will determine how you pay for your abestos or mesothelioma lawyer.

Finally, you want a mesothelioma lawyer who will work with you and will understand your situation. This is a very difficult time for you and your family and you want a lawyer who understands that. Remember, any lawyer promising things that are too good too be true is probably not legitimate. Look instead for someone who can achieve realistic goals and help you through this difficult time. Watch out for asbestos or mesothelioma cancer and find a good asbestos/mesothelioma lawyer if you do.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

What Is Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is a kind of tumor that develops when abnormal cells start growing in the thyroid gland. This is an unusual cancer type that is quite uncommon. Generally, if this cancer type is found in the early stage, they can be treated more efficiently than any other. Though thyroid cancer can be treated, they might reoccur again after a few years or months but rest assure that this is not the case in all patients! Some tumors of this type are moderate and are sometimes non cancerous. On the other hand, some tumors can develop into something malicious and may not be easily treated. Thyroid cancer is categorized and divided as follicular carcinomas, carcinomas, medullary thyroid carcinomas, anaplastic carcinomas, primary thyroid sarcomas and primary thyroid lymphomas. This malignant tumor stretches and spreads alongside tissues, which further causes relentless complications.
Based on studies and history records, thyroid cancer is most frequent among women than men, yet the reason behind this is not apparent. The actual causes of thyroid cancer have never been pointed till today, but experts believe that thyroid cancer is caused by constant exposure to radiation. Individuals who are diagnosed would have previously been exposed to some kind of radiation either through medical or environmental processes. Thyroid Cancer Causes and Effects While the exact causes of thyroid cancer is not entirely known but exposure to radiation during childhood is one of the suspected cause of this type of cancer. Radiations were used in the 50s and 60s to treat acne! Thyroid Cancer Signs and Symptoms Every tumor has its own signs and symptoms, likewise, thyroid cancer will show some basic indications when its growing inside a patient. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include swelling on the neck region, severe neck pain, painless lump, voice changes, pain while swallowing, breathing trouble and continuous coughing. While these are not all the symptoms shown but its a good indicator to start seeking clarification. Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis From the signs and symptoms, a complete test should be done to thoroughly check for thyroid cancer. A thorough test is needed to rule out non malignant thyroidal extension that is quite common. Thyroid cancer enhanced the capability of tubercles to entrap the isotope on contrast with the thyroid cells. Several other tests include biopsy, ultrasonic scans and CT scans. Thyroid Cancer Treatment Thyroid cancer treatment involves different method of treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery is done to remove the entire thyroid and it helps to prevent the cancer cells in the thyroid gland from moving closer towards the lymph nodes. Other type of treatments includes chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation therapy. Thyroid Cancer Prevention Is Better Than Cure In some cases, thyroid cancer is quite erratic and they are not connected with immediate threatening risk factors.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Infant cancers

The age of peak incidence of cancer in children occurs during the first year of life, in infants. The average annual incidence in the United States, 1975-1995, was 233 per million infants.[5] Several estimates of incidence exist. According to SEER,[5] in the United States: Neuroblastoma comprised 28% of infant cancer cases and was the most common malignancy among these young children (65 per million infants).The leukemias as a group (41 per million infants) represented the next most common type of cancer, comprising 17% of all cases.Central nervous system malignancies comprised 13% of infant cancer, with an average annual incidence rate of nearly 30 per million infants.The average annual incidence rates for malignant germ cell and malignant soft tissue tumors were essentially the same at 15 per million infants. Each comprised about 6% of infant cancer. According to another study:[4] Leukemia (usually ALL) is the most common infant malignancy (30%), followed by the central nervous system cancers and neuroblastoma. The remainder consists of Wilms' tumor, lymphomas, rhabdomyosarcoma (arising from muscle), retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Teratoma (a germ cell tumor) often is cited as the most common tumor in this age group, but most teratomas are surgically removed while still benign, hence not necessarily cancer. Prior to the widespread routine use of prenatal ultrasound examinations, the incidence of sacrococcygeal teratomas diagnosed at birth was 25 to 29 per million births. Female and male infants have essentially the same overall cancer incidence rates, a notable difference compared to older children. White infants have higher cancer rates than black infants. Leukemias accounted for a substantial proportion of this difference: the average annual rate for white infants (48.7 per million) was 66% higher than for black infants (29.4 per million).[5] Relative survival for infants is very good for neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor and retinoblastoma, and fairly good (80%) for leukemia, but not for most other types of cancer.

Child cancers

Cancer can also occur in young children and adolescents, but it is rare (about 150 cases per million yearly in the US). Statistics from the SEER program of the US NCI demonstrate that childhood cancers increased 19% between 1975 and 1990, mainly due to an increased incidence in acute leukemia. Since 1990, incidence rates have decreased. Children living near nuclear facilities face an increased risk of cancer.

How To Find Cure For Adult Cancers

In the U.S. and other developed countries, cancer is presently responsible for about 25% of all deaths. On a yearly basis, 0.5% of the population is diagnosed with cancer. The statistics below are for adults in the United States, and may vary substantially in other countries:

Cancer Classification

Cancer is generally classified according to the tissue from which the cancerous cells originate, the primary tumor, as well as the normal cell type they most resemble. These are location and histology, respectively.

What is cancer?

Cancer (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not. The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is oncology. Cancer may affect people at all ages, even fetuses, but the risk for most varieties increases with age.[1] Cancer causes about 13% of all deaths.[2] According to the American Cancer Society, 7.6 million people died from cancer in the world during 2007.[3] Cancers can affect all animals. Nearly all cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of the transformed cells. These abnormalities may be due to the effects of carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals, or infectious agents. Other cancer-promoting genetic abnormalities may be randomly acquired through errors in DNA replication, or are inherited, and thus present in all cells from birth. The heritability of cancers are usually affected by complex interactions between carcinogens and the host's genome. New aspects of the genetics of cancer pathogenesis, such as DNA methylation, and microRNAs are increasingly recognized as important. Genetic abnormalities found in cancer typically affect two general classes of genes. Cancer-promoting oncogenes are typically activated in cancer cells, giving those cells new properties, such as hyperactive growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments. Tumor suppressor genes are then inactivated in cancer cells, resulting in the loss of normal functions in those cells, such as accurate DNA replication, control over the cell cycle, orientation and adhesion within tissues, and interaction with protective cells of the immune system. Diagnosis usually requires the histologic examination of a tissue biopsy specimen by a pathologist, although the initial indication of malignancy can be symptoms or radiographic imaging abnormalities. Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As research develops, treatments are becoming more specific for different varieties of cancer. There has been significant progress in the development of targeted therapy drugs that act specifically on detectable molecular abnormalities in certain tumors, and which minimize damage to normal cells. The prognosis of cancer patients is most influenced by the type of cancer, as well as the stage, or extent of the disease. In addition, histologic grading and the presence of specific molecular markers can also be useful in establishing prognosis, as well as in determining individual treatments.