Oncologists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. While there is no mesothelioma cure, some oncologists have searched for advanced treatments for this disease have made incredible strides in recent years. For patients and family members learning of a mesothelioma diagnosis, finding a doctor that you can trust is crucial.
All of the physicians below specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma, and are dedicated to providing the very best in thoracic care to their patients. For more information about leading mesothelioma doctors, please click on your state below.
Finding a mesothelioma specialist who can diagnose, treat, and follow up on your needs as a patient is one of the most important things you can do to help improve your chances of surviving this disease. When you have a doctor you can trust, it will help reduce the stress you and your family are feeling at this demanding time in your life.
Because mesothelioma is so rare, many doctors don’t have much experience with this form of cancer. Therefore, it’s important to be engaged and ask questions when choosing your mesothelioma doctor.
While choosing a Mesothelioma Doctor one should consider:
Experience
- How long has this doctor been treating mesothelioma patients?
- How recently has this doctor cared for a mesothelioma patient?
- Has this doctor treated the specific type of mesothelioma that I have?
- Is the doctor up to date on the latest mesothelioma research and published studies?
Treatment
- What types of treatment does this doctor usually recommend for mesothelioma?
- Is the doctor willing to try newer treatments that might be more effective for me?
- Can this doctor help find and enroll me in a clinical trial?
- Will the doctor let me try alternative therapies to ease pain and reduce symptoms?
Trust and Communication
- Do I trust this person to make decisions about my care?
- Will he or she consider my concerns and defer to my decisions?
- Can I contact the doctor at any time with questions or concerns?
- What forms of communication are available with the doctor and medical staff?
Practical Concerns
- Do the doctor’s fees seem reasonable compared with similar services elsewhere?
- Will the doctor’s practice work with my insurance (or other forms of payment)?
- How far away from home is the office or clinic where the doctor practices?
- Can I access my medical records online? If so, how?
Important Questions About Mesothelioma to Ask Your Doctor
As you move through the process of diagnosis and treatment, it is important to ensure that you maintain clear communication channels with your health care team. In an effort to assist you in planning for this important communication with your mesothelioma doctors, we have provided a framework below to help you get the information that you will find most helpful at the start of your care. Remember this—every question is important! Here are some questions that you might want to ask your doctor:
Asking these questions will provide you with a good start to developing open communications with your provider. It is entirely probable, however, that you will have additional questions of your own. Please think about these in advance and write them down before you get to the doctors office. We hope that you find this framework useful in establishing a good rapport with your cancer care team.
