Laryngeal Cancer Railroad Lawsuits

Hughes Law Offices can assist railroad workers who have been diagnosed with laryngeal and other occupational diseases. Below are a few case results which provide insight into settlements or verdicts in similar cases.

Brown claims exposure to diesel exhaust, toxins like creosote and cleaning equipment from railroad ties and cleaning equipment. Brown worked for the Grand Trunk Western Railroad for decades.

Symptoms

The larynx can be described as a part of the throat. It aids you in speaking, breathe and swallow, and it contains your vocal cords. Larynx cancer develops when cells grow uncontrollably and infiltrate tissues in your throat. It could spread to other parts of your body, too.

The first signs of laryngeal cancer include a hoarse or other voice changes and difficulty swallowing or breathing. There may be a lump or cough up blood in some cases. Some people notice a change in their smell or taste. Some people may notice weight loss. Talk to your GP in case you experience any of these symptoms. The earlier a problem is identified, the easier it is to treat.

There isn't a standard screening test for laryngeal cancer however, you should discuss any symptoms with your healthcare professional. Your doctor may recommend you to a medical facility for additional tests. A biopsy is a procedure during which your healthcare team removes tiny pieces of tissue to be examined under a microscope. This will allow them to determine the extent of the cancer and if it has developed.

A lawyer for railroad cancer can examine your employment history to determine whether your work is connected to the disease. They can collaborate with medical professionals to determine the specific chemicals and partsiculates that may be connected to the diagnosis.

Diagnosis

Laryngeal cancer is typically diagnosed through a physical examination of the throat and neck. A doctor can feel lumps on the neck, and then use a flexible tube (endoscopy) which has a camera attached to the end. Blood tests will be done on a patient suspected to have cancer to determine if the cells are cancerous.

Certain genetic conditions can increase the risk of laryngeal cancer in individuals. People who suffer from Fanconi Anemia or Dykeratosis Congenita, two conditions that affect the nails, skin and blood, have an increased risk of developing head and neck cancer.

A biopsy can confirm a diagnosis of cancer and aid the doctor in deciding what treatment to pursue. The biopsy can inform doctors about the stage of cancer as well as if it has developed.

Early laryngeal cancer has a better chance of curing a patient than cancer that is advanced. The treatment for patients is based on the stage and other factors such as the response to chemotherapy or radiation. Some patients may consider taking part in a study that tests new treatments for laryngeal cancer. These studies are designed to improve the treatment currently available and provide doctors with knowledge on new ways to treat this condition.

Treatment

There are many treatment options for laryngeal cancer. The treatment options vary based on the stage, location, and the extent of the cancer's spread to other areas of the body. Laryngeal carcinoma patients can be cured through surgery, radiation therapy or both. Other patients can be treated with chemotherapy or other medications. Treatment is dependent on your health, age and general health. For instance, smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol reduces the effectiveness of laryngeal cancer treatments.

A doctor can diagnose laryngeal cancer by asking you about your symptoms and conducting a physical examination of the throat and neck. The doctor can order a CT scan or an MRI to determine the size and location of the tumor. A chest X-ray is ordered to determine if cancer has spread to lungs. Other tests include a throat culture to look for viral infections, a biopsy of the tissue to detect cancerous cells and a procedure referred to as a laryngoscopy.

The majority of laryngeal cancers begin in squamous cell, which are thin, flat cells lining the larynx. The larynx is home to the vocal cords that vibrate when air passes over them and produce sound when you speak or sing. The cancer may affect the supraglottis, subglottis, or glottis parts of the larynx. A tumor called carcinoma in situ is found at the early stages of laryngeal malignancy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for laryngeal cancer depends on how advanced the cancer is when it's first diagnosed and what treatment you receive. Your doctor can tell you what you can expect. They will inquire about your symptoms and medical history, examine your throat and neck and perform an imaging test (CT scan or MRI) to look for an abnormal lump.

A cancer in the upper portion of your larynx is known as supraglottic cancer. It can affect your voice and grow into your vocal cords, but it is confined within a specific part of the larynx. It doesn't grow anywhere further. If the cancer is in the lower portion of your larynx, it's called subglottic or glottic cancer. It can spread to your lungs or other organs of your body, and even metastatic cancer. However, it's rare for it to extend as far as other cancers.

If your cancer is still in its initial stages and hasn't spread, you have a high chance of being cured. This is because the cancer is small and hasn't spread into surrounding tissue.

In early-stage laryngeal tumors, approximately 65 out of 100 people will live for five years or more following the diagnosis and treatment. If you're diagnosed with a late-stage or lawsuits advanced laryngeal cancer the chances of surviving are significantly lower. You may have to have the tumor removed surgically or undergo a combination of radiotherapy chemotherapy and surgery.