The Firm You Go to When the
Stakes Are High

Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma is a very rare and deadly asbestos cancer, for which no cure has yet been found. A number of alternative and traditional mesothelioma treatment options have been developed to help contain the spread of the disease and prolong life.

Meanwhile, successful mesothelioma treatment options are still being explored and investigated by mesothelioma clinics and medical research groups.

Traditional mesothelioma treatment options include:

Pleurectomy

A pleurectomy is the surgical removal of the pleura (lining of the lung affected by mesothelioma).

It is one type of mesothelioma surgery for pleural mesothelioma and is known as a radical pleurectomy and decortification (P/D). A medical debate exists about whether a P/D is more beneficial for patients than an extra pleural pneumonectomy (EPP)¹.

Pneumonectomy

A pneumonectomy is surgical removal of the lung and pleura. It is another alternative for pleural mesothelioma treatment and is known as extra pleural pneumonectomy (EPP)².

The EPP involves the following steps:

Incision and exposure of the pleura (parietal);
Dissection of the tumor and parietal pleura from the chest wall, diaphragm, and mediastinum;
Division and control of the pulmonary vessels and bronchus followed by lymph node dissection;
Resection of the lung, pleura, pericardium, and diaphragm;
Reconstruction of the pericardium and diaphragm.

Gastrointestinal Debulking

Gastrointestinal debulking is surgical removal of a tumor from the gastrointestinal tract. It is one of the most common types of traditional mesothelioma treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma. It is followed by post-surgical intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

With this procedure, a heated chemotherapy agent is directly administered into the peritoneal space immediately after the debulking portion of the surgery³.

One of the leading hospitals in this new approach and alternative to treating peritoneal mesothelioma is The Columbia University Mesothelioma Center in New York City.

Chemotherapy

Recent development of mesothelioma treatment options includes successful chemotherapeutic agents such as Alimta and Cisplatin.

Currently, Alimta and Cisplatin are the only prescription drugs to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as alternative mesothelioma treatments for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. In studies, such as those published in the July 2006 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, patients who took Alimta (pemetrexed) with or without Cisplatin – a widely used platinum-containing chemotherapy drug – demonstrated a marked improvement in their condition.

Manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, Alimta impedes the enzymes that cancer cells require to reproduce. While, Alimta and Cisplatin will not cleanse cancer from the body, these pleural mesothelioma medications may extend a patient’s life.

Drug Interactions

It is essential that before patients begin taking Alimta and Cisplatin they notify their mesothelioma doctor if they are taking ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat pain or arthritis and if they have kidney problems.

Alimta/Cisplatin patients should take 350 to 1000 micrograms of folic acid per day, for five days, the week before they begin treatment. This should continue until 21 days after the last cycle of Alimta. Patients should also take dexamethasone, a steroid medication, to curb the risk of adverse effects. Unless a mesothelioma doctor recommends differently, dexamethasone should be taken twice per day, on the day before, the day of, and the day after Alimta treatment.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is usually used in conjunction with surgery and/or chemotherapy. It attacks cancer cells through the use of high-energy X-rays. Different types of radiation that are used to treat malignant mesothelioma include:

External beam radiation therapy;
Brachytherapy;
Adjuvant radiation therapy;
Palliative radiation therapy.

ATTENTION: Mesothelioma has no known cure and often causes severe pain, suffering, and other types of damage, such as loss of consortium, and loss of income. Additionally, due to the exceedingly high cost of mesothelioma treatments, many families exhaust savings and accumulate financial debt in order to pay for the medical expenses of their family member.

Under the law of most states, pain and suffering from mesothelioma may be compensated through the award of money damages, usually obtained with the help of experienced mesothelioma attorneys. In some states other types of damages may also be recovered.

Asbestos litigation affords mesothelioma victims the opportunity to receive financial compensation and hold accountable the companies that caused their asbestos exposure.

IMPORTANT: If you or your family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should get in touch with a mesothelioma lawyer as early as possible to determine if you have a mesothelioma case and to:

Preserve your rights to bring a legal action against the responsible parties within the limited time frame allowed by law, known as statute of limitations;
Obtain maximum compensation in your case by being able to:
- Preserve evidence and establish facts of the asbestos exposure while the claimant is still alive and able to provide information;
- File and resolve a lawsuit against the responsible parties before they file for bankruptcy or, if they already have, to obtain compensation before their bankruptcy trust funds run out of money;
Expedite your case, as courts tend to give higher priority to mesothelioma lawsuits where the claimant is still alive.

Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers via our 24/7 toll-free hotline at (800) 315-3806 or submit an email inquiry. Our attorneys will be quick to respond to you and happy to answer all of your questions.

NOTE: While our offices are located in the states of New York, New Jersey, and Georgia, many of our mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice law in a number of U.S. states and have the capability and extensive experience of representing mesothelioma clients throughout the United States. You are encouraged to contact us with any questions.

¹ Robert B. Cameron, Extra pleural Pneumonectomy is the Preferred Surgical Management in the Multimodality Therapy of Pleural Mesothelioma: Con Argument, Annals of Surgical Oncology, 2006;
² Argote-Greene et al., Extrapleural Pneumonectomy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Multimedia Manual of Cardiothoracic Surgery, June 28, 2005);
³ Feldman et al., Analysis of Factors Associated with Outcome in Patients with Malignant Mesothelioma Undergoing Surgical Debulking and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 21, Issue 24, 2003.

MESOTHELIOMA NEWS

A TEAM COMMITTED TO DOING WHAT IS RIGHT

Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers via our 24/7 toll-free hotline or by submitting an email inquiry. Our attorneys will be quick to respond to you and happy to answer all of your questions.

Meet Our Team

Know the Difference

Committed to Doing What's Right

Over $3 Billion Won
We have represented numerous individuals and groups of workers, winning for them multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.
There's No Case Too Big
Our team has achieved groundbreaking victories in highly complex cases and has gone up against some of the toughest defendants in the country.
Trial Attorneys
Our attorneys excel in the courtroom and are not afraid to bring a case in front of a jury if a fair settlement for the client has not been reached.
A Thought Leader in the Industry
Our firm's knowledge and experience are in high demand, and many news outlets have asked us to share our legal expertise.
Access to World Class Resources
Our experienced attorneys use cutting-edge technology and highly regarded experts to help us achieve the best possible result for our clients.
Changing the World for Good
We not only want to achieve the best possible results for our clients, but we also strive to prevent future harm by changing public health policies.

Thousands of Clients Helped

Hear What They Have to Say

They truly made a difference in our lives!
“Levy Konigsberg went above and beyond in representing my father in his mesothelioma case against multiple parties. From providing a risk free introduction (even flying out at their expense to speak to my father in person) to fighting diligently for us.”
- Jonathan McNulty
Outstanding law firm!
“Jerry and Bob are not only experts in their field, but genuinely care about their clients. They explain the entire process in a step like manner and are keenly aware that the health and medical treatment of the defendant should not be compromised.”
- R.M.
No need to look any further.
“The attorneys were attentive to my fathers needs during all proceedings while at the same time aggressive with the defendants making sure my father got everything he deserved.”
- Todd Allen
They were the clear choice!
“Jerry Block was compassionate and assembled a team of attorneys that knew exactly what to do. Although no amount of money can replace my father, we are grateful to them for giving him the gift of knowing that his family would be taken care of.”
- Bruce Totterdale
Forever grateful!
“They were not only knowledgeable but also compassionate. It was comforting to know they were diligently working on his case so we could focus on his medical care. Levy Konigsberg became part of our journey and we are forever grateful.”
- Diane Hoefer
The best and brightest!
“They never failed to keep us informed of all important developments in the case, and they always gave a realistic idea of when the matter would be resolved. I always felt that my dad was excellently represented, and that his case was in the best hands.”
- Paulette
Simply incredible!
“Corey Stern was simply incredible! Not only did he keep me well informed as to what was transpiring with my case, but was direct and honest all the way through. His hard work and compassion resulted in an amazing settlement.”
- IBS LMM
Knowledgeable guidance and representation.
“Your firm explained all of the steps involved in filing my case, took the time to update me as it progressed, prepared me for my meeting with NYS officials… Without your knowledgeable guidance and representation, I may not have been successful.”
- Steven Simon
They are good people who want to help you.
“I am now in a more comfortable financial situation. I can now go out and buy myself the things I need, without worrying how I am going to do that. Because I am well aware that I am not capable of getting or keeping a job.”
- Edwin Jimenez
They won us a lot of money.
“Levy Konigsberg, in my opinion, is a great law firm. They took very well care of us and I believe that they cared very much about our case. They were great attorneys.”
- Karen

CHOOSE LEVY KONIGSBERG

Start with a FREE Consultation

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
What type of case do you have?
Please make a selection.
Message
Please enter a message.