Being diagnosed with cancer is tough enough for Illinois residents who often have to fight insurance companies and their employers to pay for treatments to fight the disease. Mesothelioma is one of the most deadly forms of cancer, but patients may now have some additional hope for quality of life thanks to a new surgical approach that spares portions of a patient’s lungs.
How pleurectomy decortication saves lungs
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), caused primarily by exposure to asbestos, is a cancer that affects the lungs’ pleura. The most common treatment for this aggressive disease is the removal of the affected lung and the parietal pleura, pericardium and diaphragm.
Pleurectomy decortication is a less radical procedure that only removes parts of the pleura along with visible tumors. The extended version of this surgery also removes the pericardium and a part of the diaphragm.
Who qualifies for pleurectomy decortication?
The Mesothelioma Guide notes that not all patients qualify for this procedure. Only those who are in good overall health and have stage 1 or stage 2 of the disease where cancer has not spread beyond the pleura are candidates. The short- and long-term outcomes of this surgery indicate that patients have a survival rate that is at least as good as the more radical surgery. In many cases, the outcomes are better.
How patient claims may be affected
Mesothelioma is one of the most commonly litigated cases involving workers’ compensation; those affected with this deadly disease can take advantage of billions of dollars in financial assistance to pay for their treatment and their living expenses. Individuals who have recently received a mesothelioma diagnosis from their doctors can pursue various avenues to receive compensation for pain, suffering and payment of their medical bills for treatment that can prolong their lives.
