On X-rays, rounded atelectasis appears as a round mass, which can easily be mistaken for a cancerous tumor. Round atelectasis is frequently related to asbestos exposure since the fibers accumulated on the surface of the pleura can cause severe tissue scarring.
Asbestos ExposureWith a rounded atelectasis diagnosis alone, you are not eligible for compensation. But given the fact that the rate of misdiagnosis is high, and the cancer risk is high with asbestos exposure we strongly recommend you get a second and even third opinion outside the VA. If you are diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer you become eligible to file a claim and obtain financial compensation.
Extensive lung tissue scarring, which commonly develops within several decades after the person was exposed to asbestos, may result in round atelectasis – the collapse of an outer portion of the organ. Pleural effusion and pleural thickening may also be present with this condition. The diagnostic of round atelectasis is quite challenging due to its resemblance to a malignant tumor. Nevertheless, lung cancer can sometimes co-occur with it, which only makes it more difficult for specialists to assign a correct and complete diagnosis.
In the majority of cases, individuals suffering from round atelectasis do not experience any symptoms, hence the crucial importance of regular screenings if you have a history of asbestos exposure. This lung condition often occurs before the onset of a more serious disease. However, depending on the severity of the lung damage, people with round atelectasis may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
Exposure to asbestos in occupational settings or in the military can result in rounded atelectasis several years later. If you have a history of asbestos exposure and struggle with this health condition, we encourage you to get a second opinion because your risk of developing lung cancer is very high. To take legal action, in the unfortunate event that you do get diagnosed with lung cancer all you need to do is send our team your employment or military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records. After a thorough evaluation of your case, we will let you know whether you can file a claim. If you are eligible, we will promptly begin working on it and, eventually, you will obtain the largest sum of money you are entitled to.