Leading Mesothelioma Doctors
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer. This means that it is imperative for anyone diagnosed with this condition to quickly connect with a physician who has experience with this particular disease.
The number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma represents only approximately .3% of all patients diagnosed with cancer. This means that there are many oncologists who rarely or never encounter the condition, and would not necessarily know how to design the best possible treatment plan.
There is no one set of guidelines that will apply to all mesothelioma patients. This disease can affect the body in numerous different ways and treatments must be tailored to each individual case. Only physicians who have specialized in mesothelioma, and who have seen the complexities first hand, will be able to accurately help patients and families navigate through this difficult process and access the right innovative treatment options.
Tips for Choosing the Right Mesothelioma Specialist
Once you begin to search for mesothelioma specialists, you may find that it can be quite overwhelming and daunting to determine which physician should be trusted with your care. These doctors will have your life in their hands, so it is understandable that you will want to consider each carefully.
Below are factors to keep in mind when evaluating potential doctors:
Experience – The number of years the doctor has been practicing and the number of mesothelioma cases that he or she has seen should be evaluated. You will want to find a specialist who has treated many cases, and who has done so in recent years. This will mean that he or she has considerable experience with the latest treatments.
Specialties – Some mesothelioma specialists will further specialize in a particular type of mesothelioma. If you suffer from pleural mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you will benefit from finding a specialist who concentrates on this particular variation.
Treatments – Even before you have committed to a particular specialist, do not be afraid to ask about the types of treatments you would likely receive. You may learn that one specialist tends to use surgical treatments, while others may favor chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
When narrowing down your potential mesothelioma doctors, remember to ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I trust the experience and skills of this doctor?
- Do I feel comfortable communicating open and honestly with this doctor?
- Will I easily be able to quickly access the specialist even in emergency situations?
- Am I confident that this doctor will respect my wishes and answer my questions?
As you undergo your treatments, you will be relying closely on your physicians, and this will need to be a very trusting relationship. In addition to finding a specialist with a substantial amount of experience, it is important to find someone who you find to be approachable and dependable.
Visiting the World’s Best Mesothelioma Treatment Facilities
An increasing number of physicians and medical centers are emerging as leaders in the field of mesothelioma research and treatment. By contacting these organizations and specialists, it is possible to access the latest and most advanced treatment methods. If you are interested in working with physicians that utilize state-of-the-art technology and conduct innovative clinical trials, you may find what you need by contacting these medical centers.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center – New York
Specializing in multimodal treatment options, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is known for providing patient-oriented treatment options to individuals with pleural mesothelioma.
Bringham & Women’s Hospital – Boston
Bringham & Women’s Hospital is known throughout the world for being pioneers in the areas of surgical procedures, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy techniques.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center – Houston
The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is a leader in the field of mesothelioma research, and radiation therapy, offering a wide range of clinical trials.
Pacific Meso Center – Los Angeles
The origin of the innovative pleurectomy and decortication surgeries, which allow patients to save their lungs while removing affected tissues, the Pacific Meso Center is a leading provider of mesothelioma treatments.