Everyday People Matter

FIBROLAMELLAR CANCER PATIENTS NOW ELIGIBLE FOR EXPEDITED DISABILITY BENEFITS CLAIM

| Nov 1, 2018 | Cancer, Compassionate Allowances Program, Social Security Administration (SSA)

Fibrolamellarcancer, a rare type of liver cancer, was added to the Compassionate Allowances program in August 2018. This program by the Social Security Administration (SSA) outlines a list of conditions and diseases that warrant an accelerated processing of claims.

The Compassionate Allowances program currently includes 233 conditions, including five new conditions added in August 2018. Fibrolamellaris one of the rarest types of cancers, and it is believed that less than 1,000 patients are diagnosed with fibrolamellar cancer every year. Adults and young adults may be at a much higher risk of a diagnosis. However, there have been some diagnoses amongst those up to 74 years old.

What makes this type of cancer especially dangerous is that it often occurs in people who have no prior history of liver disease, making it harder to diagnose. Also, many of the symptoms with this cancer are similar to other diseases, making a diagnosis especially challenging. This, unfortunately, frequently leads to diagnoses of cancer when it is already in an advanced state. Early symptoms of the condition may include shoulder pain, back pain, abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice. Currently, the only treatment option available for this type of carcinoma is liver resection surgery. Even this may be effective only before the spread of cancer.

The Compassionate Allowances Program allows expedited processing of disability benefits claims for certain types of conditions because of their severe nature. The disabilities in this program include severe types of cancers that are likely to mestasize quickly, blindness, hearing loss, and neurological disorders, especially those that affect adults. Your claim for fibrolamellar cancer may be approved quickly based on your diagnosis alone.

If you have been diagnosed with fibrolamellar carcinoma, contact this law firm to discuss your legal options for a claim under the Compassionate Allowances program.