A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

Because many people suffer mesothelioma due to lax laws regarding control of asbestos in the mid-twentieth century, a body of law has grown up around this illness. Today there are mesothelioma attorneys who understand asbestos law and specialize in handling lawsuits for people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and asbestos poisoning.

A knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney is able to help people suffering from this deadly form of cancer to gain compensation in cases of negligent exposure to asbestos. While compensation will not do away with the illness, it can be very helpful in taking care of hospital bills and daily necessities, as well as end of life needs.

There are many firms that specialize in asbestos laws, and many mesothelioma attorneys to choose from. When seeking a good attorney, you should always look for one who has had lots of experience in handling cases like yours. Talk with other mesothelioma patients who have sought mesothelioma law firm  help. Get good recommendations based on their experiences. When you have chosen a mesothelioma attorney you wish to interview, ask specifically how many cases like yours s/he has handled and what the outcome was.

Understand that you don’t have a lot of time to hire a mesothelioma attorney because your state may have a statute of limitations in place regarding the amount of time that can pass between exposure to asbestos and a lawsuit. Even though seeking legal assistance will probably not be the first thing on your mind after you receive your diagnosis, you should move forward as quickly as possible.