Finding a Mesothelioma Specialist

When a patient has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there are two basic choices; standard treatment or specialized care with a mesothelioma specialist. Some local healthcare options may be sufficient for those who choose traditional methods such as chemotherapy or external radiation therapy. If your hospital is properly equipped for such treatment, travel may not be needed if you are comfortable with this level of care.  However, in most cases it is critical that you seek out a mesothelioma specialist to handle your care.  SimmonsCooper works with mesothelioma medical specialists throughout the country. Please contact us if you would like assistance.

Due to the serious nature of mesothelioma, your local hospital may not have the resources to offer you care beyond the most typical mesothelioma treatment options. Do you need a surgical evaluation? Do you want to explore your options with internal radiation therapy or new methods such as immunotherapy? These treatment options require advanced help from a team of specialists which may include the following:

Oncologist — an oncologist is an expert in treating cancer patients. There are two types of oncologists you may require for treatment of mesothelioma. The medical oncologist is an expert in using chemotherapy, which the radiation oncologist is an expert in internal and/or external radiation treatments.

Pulmonologist — this is a doctor specializing in treatment for cancers of the lungs.

Thoracic surgeon — these doctors specialize in chest surgery. If you require a surgical exam or the removal of mesothelioma growth, you may require a thoracic surgeon.

Radiologist — a specialist who interprets imaging studies including X-rays and CAT scans.

It is important to consider using mesothelioma doctors for many reasons. Expert care isn’t required just for diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma, it is also crucial in the recovery period. This is especially true if you require surgery.

A mesothelioma doctor can properly evaluate you as a candidate for surgery. Patient selection, techniques and post-operative care are serious factors your specialist must consider before recommending a course of treatment. If a patient is in otherwise good health, surgery may be appropriate. Those who are in poor health may have higher risk factors which preclude surgery as an option.

The same may be true of alternatives to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Each patient must be evaluated by a mesothelioma doctor for suitability for such options as immunotherapy, gene therapy or clinical trials.

Those who are considered good candidates for surgery or alternative treatments must follow the advice of their mesothelioma doctor to the letter. Pre-treatment preparation is a serious part of any medical procedure. Your doctor may advise you to change your diet, start or stop a course of medication, and alter your lifestyle before treatment for mesothelioma to begin.

This is to insure your procedure happens in the most ideal conditions. Some supplements and foods can affect the body’s ability to recover from surgery, alter your blood clotting ability or blood pressure. The doctor’s advice is very important for successful treatment.