Menu
If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer you could be entitled to significant compensation from both the Asbestos Trust Funds and asbestos product manufactures.
Contact us now for a FREE consultation.
Free Case Review
If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer you could be entitled to significant compensation from both the Asbestos Trust Funds and asbestos product manufactures.
Contact us now for a FREE consultation.
Free Case Review
Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that is often deadly. There are three types of mesothelioma a person can be diagnosed with, one of which is sarcomatoid mesothelioma. The causes of sarcomatoid mesothelioma and the symptoms are similar to the other types. You’ll also sometimes hear it referred to as sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma.
Malignant or malignancy refers to cancerous cells being present that can spread to other parts of the body. This is known as metastasizing, which simply means spreading or moving. Malignant cells, especially sarcomatoid mesothelioma, can invade and destroy nearby tissues. Cells of a malignant condition usually grow fast and out of control because of genetic changes.
The mesothelioma sarcomatoid subtype has the same underlying causes as other cell types. It’s caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is durable and heat-resistant, making it a cheap choice for decades for industrial and construction applications. Unfortunately, the mineral fibers that can break apart from asbestos can be breathed in. The fibers get embedded in the lungs or other tissues. Asbestos fibers settle in and cause irritation and inflammation to internal tissue. Eventually, the irritation can cause genetic mutations leading to cancer.
Asbestos is banned, but there’s a long latency between asbestos exposure and the development of sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma. It can be decades before the cancer develops. Someone with a history of asbestos exposure should be mindful of this and understand what signs and symptoms to watch out for. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma most often affects the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. Rarely, it can also affect the abdominal lining, known as sarcomatoid peritoneal mesothelioma.
The symptoms for the three subtypes of mesothelioma are all similar to one another. The symptom severity varies depending on how progressed the cancer is. Since sarcomatoid mesothelioma is more aggressive and spreads quickly, it can cause symptoms faster.
A critical part of appropriately diagnosing mesothelioma is identifying the cell type. Diagnosing sarcomatoid mesothelioma is complex because it’s rare and often seems like other conditions or mimics them. Diagnosis might start with imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans. These imaging tests can look for tumors or fluid in the chest cavity. From there, a doctor may order a tissue biopsy if there’s suspected cancer. Typically, the biopsy is via a VATS.
VATS refers to a procedure called video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. It is a minimally invasive diagnostic technique where a needle is typically inserted between the ribs or abdomen. The most crucial step in the diagnostic process is the biopsy and resulting immunohistological staining. This is how the cell type is determined. A staining method is used to identify proteins specific to mesothelioma in the tissue sample. A pathologist can then determine whether the tumor is malignant or benign through the negative or positive aspects of the staining. Multiple biopsies may be needed to determine the cell type of a mesothelioma tumor.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for this type of mesothelioma isn’t usually great. The life expectancies range from around two months to 18 months with treatment. Individual factors also play a role in the prognosis, including the stage at diagnosis, the patient’s age, and overall health. Until recently, sarcomatoid mesothelioma was considered untreatable. Fortunately, with the advent of immunotherapy, some patients have dramatically improved their condition.
Determining the cell type of mesothelioma helps guide treatment. For example, if you have sarcomatoid cells in your tumor expressing high amounts of something called PD-L1, then you might be eligible to use checkpoint inhibitor drugs to manage your disease. These could include Opdivo or Yervoy. Chemotherapy may be part of a treatment plan for this type of mesothelioma, as can radiation therapy.
Immunotherapy drugs such as ipilimumab and nivolumab can improve patient survival by months compared to chemotherapy. Targeted therapies are now being used in clinical trials and showing some effectiveness. Surgery isn’t usually recommended for sarcomatoid pleural mesothelioma, at least not as far as extending survival, but it may help with symptoms.
For example, the lining of the lungs can be removed, or a pleurodesis can be done, which collapses spaces between the pleura layers, preventing the buildup of fluid and helping breathing. Tumor Treating Fields or TTFields use low-intensity electrical currents to interrupt the division of cells, which can slow or stop the growth of mesothelioma tumors. There’s also palliative care, which can help with symptoms and improve quality of life, although the aim isn’t curing the cancer.
If you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation. This is because asbestos manufacturers and companies using the products are liable for the illnesses they cause. You may have worked around asbestos or lived with someone who did, and now you have mesothelioma. If this is the case, contacting a professional, expert mesothelioma attorney is essential.
They can review your case and even research your asbestos exposure if you need to determine where it happened or when. Then, they can advise you on your options, including filing a lawsuit against an employer or asbestos company, which can settle or go to trial. Dozens of trust funds were set up by asbestos companies that went bankrupt to compensate people with a mesothelioma diagnosis. We encourage you to contact us if you’d like to explore your options or if you’d like to file a claim on behalf of a loved one who was a victim of mesothelioma.
This is a rare subtype of mesothelioma, which is a cancer. The cancer can affect the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testes. The term sarcomatoid is a reference to the tumor cell type.
The cause of all mesothelioma types is the same—asbestos exposure. After inhaling or ingesting, the fibers get embedded in the lining of organs, causing healthy cells to mutate into cancerous ones.
The life expectancy for sarcomatoid mesothelioma ranges from two to 18 months with treatment, but there’s a lot of variation. There are also new treatments and new research being developed regularly.
There may be different ways to receive compensation for a sarcomatoid mesothelioma diagnosis. Speaking to an attorney is the best first step, and they could advise you to file a claim against an employer or asbestos company. For this reason, you might also be eligible to receive money from trust funds set up by bankrupt companies.
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma differs from other types of mesothelioma in several ways:
Cell structure: Sarcomatoid cells are spindle-shaped and less uniform, while epithelioid cells are more uniform and blocky.
Aggressiveness: Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is more aggressive and tends to spread more quickly than epithelioid mesothelioma.
Prognosis: The prognosis for sarcomatoid mesothelioma is generally poorer than for epithelioid mesothelioma due to its aggressive nature and resistance to treatment
Common symptoms of sarcomatoid mesothelioma include:
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Persistent cough
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Swelling or lumps under the skin, particularly in the chest area
Difficulty swallowing
Treatment options for sarcomatoid mesothelioma include:
Surgery: To remove as much of the tumor as possible, though it is less commonly used due to the aggressive nature of the disease.
Chemotherapy: Systemic treatment to kill cancer cells, often used as a primary treatment.
Radiation therapy: Targeted radiation to shrink tumors and relieve symptoms.
Immunotherapy: Newer treatments that enhance the body’s immune response to cancer.
Palliative care: Focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life
Currently, there is no cure for sarcomatoid mesothelioma. The aggressive nature and resistance to treatment make it challenging to manage. However, treatments can help manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life.
The prognosis for someone with sarcomatoid mesothelioma is generally poor due to the aggressive nature of the disease. The average life expectancy is often less than one year after diagnosis. However, prognosis can vary based on factors such as the patient’s overall health, response to treatment, and stage of the disease.
Research is ongoing, and new treatments for sarcomatoid mesothelioma are continually being developed. These include advanced immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and gene therapy. Clinical trials are an important avenue for exploring these innovative treatments and improving outcomes for patients.
Coping with a sarcomatoid mesothelioma diagnosis can be challenging. Patients and families can:
Seek support: Join support groups for emotional and practical support.
Educate themselves: Learn about the disease, treatment options, and what to expect.
Communicate: Maintain open communication with healthcare providers and loved ones.
Utilize resources: Access counseling, social work services, and palliative care for additional support.
Support resources for sarcomatoid mesothelioma patients include:
Support groups: Local and online groups provide a platform for sharing experiences and receiving support.
Medical centers: Specialized cancer treatment centers offer comprehensive care and support services.
Non-profit organizations: Organizations like the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and the American Cancer Society provide resources, information, and support.
Legal assistance: Mesothelioma Attorney offers legal support to help patients navigate the complexities of their case and secure compensation.
Fill out the form below and get your free case review
Mesothelioma
Asbestos
Location
® 2024 Mesothelioma Attorney. We will not share your information.
