Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis: Diseases Mistaken for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is among the rarest diseases. Many people who are exposed to asbestos, the leading cause of mesothelioma, do not develop this cancer. Due to its rarity and non-specific symptoms, mesothelioma misdiagnosis occurs often. There are diseases mistaken for mesothelioma that you should know about if you believe that you may have this cancer.

Improper diagnosis of mesothelioma or another similar disease can delay essential treatment and worsen the validity of a patient’s prognosis. When you have symptoms associated with mesothelioma, it is wise to seek the counsel of a mesothelioma specialist. These professionals can give you an accurate assessment of whether you have mesothelioma or not.

Medical misdiagnosis is one of the most commonly cited forms of medical malpractice in the United States. When a diagnosing physician incorrectly assesses their patient’s condition, the patient may not only undergo ineffective and/or potentially harmful treatments, but their actual condition is also usually left unaddressed. If you believe you or a family member has been harmed by mesothelioma misdiagnosis, it’s vital to know your legal options in this situation.

Dangers of Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis

When you visit any doctor for medical treatment, and they must diagnose your condition, they are required to follow a differential diagnosis procedure that intends to identify a condition through a process of elimination. While it is possible for understandable mistakes to occur due to the individual differences between patients and the inherently uncertain nature of medicine, a misdiagnosis resulting from negligence is something entirely different.

About 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed every year in the United States. Sadly, roughly 2,500 deaths from mesothelioma are recorded each year. This terminal cancer can only be managed, and life expectancy is relatively low, but early detection can make a tremendous difference in a patient’s future outlook. When treatment is delayed due to misdiagnosis, it is not only dangerous but also tragic and frustrating for the victim and their family.

Mesothelioma only causes noticeable symptoms once the disease has reached an advanced state. This means that immediate treatment is critical once mesothelioma is confirmed. When mesothelioma is misdiagnosed, the patient will likely be treated for another condition, but their treatments are unlikely to do much for the symptoms of mesothelioma, and the cancer will continue to worsen.

Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis: Diseases Mistaken for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma occurs in the mesothelium, the lining of various organs in humans. This cancer is aggressive and incurable. Even though symptoms can be managed, it is difficult to stop mesothelioma from spreading once it starts. Mesothelioma can mimic symptoms of other illnesses, delaying proper treatment if it is misdiagnosed. Here are some common diseases that can be mistaken for mesothelioma:

Lung Cancer

Both lung cancer and mesothelioma can take an immense toll on the body. They can look similar, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, and chronic coughing. The key difference is that lung cancer is much more prevalent than mesothelioma. Additionally, lung cancer patients can experience symptoms that are infrequent in mesothelioma patients, like hemoptysis or coughing up blood.

Chest X-rays and CT scans can help distinguish between these two cancers. A definitive diagnosis often relies on a biopsy.

Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusion refers to the building up of liquid between the lungs and the chest wall. Mesothelioma can cause pleural effusion but is not the only disease or ailment that can do this. Other conditions, like pneumonia, heart failure, and pulmonary embolism, can cause pleural effusion as well. To determine the underlying cause, a doctor can perform thoracentesis to analyze the fluid. Thoracentesis is a procedure where a doctor inserts a needle into your chest cavity to extract the fluid for analysis.

Emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It shares similar breathing difficulties with mesothelioma, such as shortness of breath and wheezing. However, since emphysema is often caused by smoking, whereas asbestos exposure is the primary source of mesothelioma, tests can be done to properly distinguish between the two.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can mimic the symptoms of mesothelioma. This disease can cause fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The difference is that pneumonia develops quickly and comes with chills and mucus-laden coughs. Mesothelioma symptoms tend to develop gradually without a fever. Chest X-rays and sputum cultures can help diagnose pneumonia.

Other Cancers

In rare instances, cancers like ovarian and adenocarcinoma can be confused with mesothelioma. When these cancers spread to the pleura (the lining of the lungs) or the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen), they can convincingly mimic mesothelioma. Reaching an accurate diagnosis may require a detailed medical history, physical examination, CT and PET scans, and biopsies from suspicious tissue.

Why Are These Diseases Mistaken for Mesothelioma?

There are many reasons why medical professionals may misdiagnose mesothelioma, including:

• Rarity: Mesothelioma is such a rare cancer that many doctors have never encountered it. This rarity can lead to frequent misdiagnosis.
• Non-Specific Symptoms: The early symptoms of the disease are often vague and confusing for medical professionals.
• Improper History Investigation: If doctors fail to ask about asbestos exposure, they may not consider mesothelioma as a possible diagnosis.

Suspicion of a Misdiagnosis

It can be rare to have a history of asbestos exposure and receive a diagnosis that shares symptoms with mesothelioma. If this happens to you, you should first discuss your concerns with your doctor. Asking them about the possibility of mesothelioma can alert them to your suspicion, and they can order specific tests to examine that possibility.

After speaking with your doctor, you should seek a second opinion. When possible, gather a complete record of your medical history, along with evidence of asbestos exposure. These materials will be important for your consultation with a mesothelioma or lung cancer specialist. These professionals can ensure that your second opinion comes from an expert in mesothelioma diagnosis.

Lastly, you may be entitled to compensation if you are sure that you received a mesothelioma misdiagnosis. A mesothelioma attorney can help you understand any legal grounds you have for a claim and guide you through the complexities of the claim-filing process.

Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis: Common Errors and Legal Options

Medical misdiagnosis is one of the most commonly cited forms of medical malpractice in the United States. When a diagnosing physician incorrectly assesses their patient’s condition, the patient may not only undergo ineffective and/or potentially harmful treatments, but their actual condition is also usually left unaddressed. If you believe you or a family member has been harmed by mesothelioma misdiagnosis, it’s vital to know your legal options in this situation.

Legal Recourse Following Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis

Anyone who is diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States likely has grounds for legal action against the party responsible for their asbestos exposure. This could be a current or former employer, an asbestos product manufacturer, or another party. One of the most challenging aspects of these cases is accurately identifying the source of the exposure due to the very long latency period of mesothelioma. It often appears years or decades after exposure to asbestos.

Your mesothelioma lawyer can help you explore your legal options against the party responsible for your exposure, and they can also be invaluable if you must pursue a medical malpractice suit following mesothelioma misdiagnosis. If a doctor’s negligence resulted in a delay in care that could have made a significant difference in your life expectancy with mesothelioma, it is a serious issue and grounds to seek compensation.

Success with any medical malpractice case requires proof that the physician’s negligence directly resulted in patient harm. In a medical misdiagnosis case, the plaintiff and their attorney must prove that another similarly skilled physician in the same situation would not have made the same error. Expert witness testimony is often crucial for success in difficult medical malpractice cases, and an experienced attorney can help secure this testimony for your case.

Every state has different rules for filing medical malpractice cases. You generally have a very short time to file your case, and you also face a time limit for filing any other type of mesothelioma case in any state. It is imperative to consult an experienced attorney at your first opportunity to discuss your options. You may be entitled to more compensation than you expect, and the right attorney can help to maximize your recovery.

FAQs

Q: What Can Be Mistaken for Mesothelioma?

A: Many diagnoses can be mistaken for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a highly rare and complex cancer. Many medical professionals have never seen it and do not understand how it works. A team of doctors familiar with cancers is usually the only group that can accurately diagnose this cancer outside of a certified mesothelioma specialist.

Mesothelioma can be misdiagnosed as:

• Adenocarcinoma
• Gallstones
• Pneumonia
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Hernia
• Influenza
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Emphysema

It is wise to seek a specialist’s opinion if you suspect that you might have mesothelioma, especially if you have a history of asbestos exposure.

Q: What Lung Disease Is Similar to Mesothelioma?

A: Other lung diseases can seem similar to mesothelioma due to similar symptoms. One type of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, can resemble symptoms of pneumonia or emphysema. Because this type of mesothelioma affects the lungs, causing a buildup of fluid and difficulty breathing, it can be mistaken for chronic lung disease, infections, and lung cancer.

Q: Can Emphysema Be Mistaken for Mesothelioma?

A: Yes, emphysema can be mistaken for mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma – a cancer of the pleura, or the lining of the lungs – can be mistaken for emphysema. This form of cancer is rare and comes from breathing in asbestos fibers. The early symptoms of pleural mesothelioma resemble some of the symptoms of emphysema.

Q: How Can You Tell the Difference Between Adenocarcinoma and Mesothelioma?

A: You can tell the difference between adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma by observing the unique characteristics and causes of the different cancer cells. Both of these cancers can come from asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma are cancers that often appear in the lungs, but mesothelioma starts in the mesothelium. Adenocarcinoma typically starts in the cells of the glands found in the lungs and other internal organs.

Q: Can Mesothelioma Be Misdiagnosed?

A: Yes, it is possible and relatively common for mesothelioma to be diagnosed due to the fact that many of the earliest symptoms of the disease mimic the appearance of other, less serious conditions, such as respiratory infections. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis of mesothelioma can have severe consequences for the patient, delaying them from receiving treatment that could significantly improve their remaining lifespan with this terminal condition.

Q: Can Mesothelioma Be Cured?

A: No, mesothelioma is an incurable disease. It is a terminal form of cancer that will eventually be fatal to anyone diagnosed with it. Mesothelioma can, however, be managed with appropriate care and early detection. Chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and various other cancer treatments have been proven effective in extending lifespan for those diagnosed with mesothelioma. More than 65% of diagnosed patients who receive chemotherapy live for three or more years.

Q: How Much Asbestos Exposure Can Cause Mesothelioma?

A: Any level of asbestos exposure can potentially cause mesothelioma. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. It is possible for just one exposure to asbestos to cause mesothelioma to develop, and the disease will likely develop very slowly, potentially over decades. More frequent and more intense exposure, however, can cause mesothelioma to develop more rapidly.

Q: How Much Compensation Can You Receive for Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis?

A: It is very difficult to estimate how much compensation a person can receive for mesothelioma misdiagnosis. In this situation, the victim may not only have grounds for legal recourse against the medical professional who misdiagnosed their condition under their state’s medical malpractice laws, but they may also have an avenue of recovery based on how they acquired mesothelioma. Consult an attorney who can explain your legal options in this situation.

Q: Should I Hire an Attorney for Mesothelioma Misdiagnosis?

A: Yes, it’s a good idea to hire an attorney for mesothelioma misdiagnosis. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you gather proof of the cause of your condition, and they can assist you with filing a medical malpractice case. You have limited time to pursue your legal options after your diagnosis, so it’s vital to consult an attorney who has a proven record of success in handling difficult mesothelioma cases in your area.

Contact a Mesothelioma Lawyer If You Have Been Misdiagnosed

Mesothelioma can present itself as other illnesses. This mimicry underscores the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if you believe that you have symptoms. A history of asbestos exposure can heighten the urgency of your situation. An early and accurate diagnosis can help you receive the most effective treatment. Consult a doctor to improve your long-term prognosis.

The team at Wallace & Graham has years of experience helping clients navigate difficult mesothelioma cases. We take time to learn as much as possible about each client we represent and uncover every avenue of recovery for them. If you believe you have grounds to pursue a mesothelioma misdiagnosis claim, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how our firm can assist you with your case.