01. Top Doctors
Top Mesothelioma Doctors
Paul H. Sugarbaker, M.D.
Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncologist
Washington, DC
Anne S. Tsao, M.D.
Director of the Department of Mesothelioma Program
Houston, TX
Raja M. Flores, M.D.
Chair of the Department of Thoracic Surgery
New York, NY
Raphael Bueno, M.D.
Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Director of the International Mesothelioma...
Boston, MA
Harvey Pass, M.D.
Director of General Thoracic Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Oncology
New York, NY
Eric Vallieres, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Seattle, WA
Andrea S. Wolf, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
New York, NY
H. Richard Alexander, Jr., M.D.
Chief Surgical Officer
New Brunswick, NJ
David Bartlett, M.D.
Chair of AHN Cancer Institute
Erie, PA
Brian W. Loggie, M.D.
Chief of Division of Surgical Oncology & Director of the Cancer Center at Creighton...
Omaha, NE
Claire Verschraegen, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Associate Director of Translational Research
Columbus, OH
James Pingpank, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Pittsburgh, PA
02. About Mesothelioma Doctors
What Is a Mesothelioma Doctor?
A mesothelioma doctor is a physician with specialized knowledge and training in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma doctors stay well-informed on cutting-edge research and treatments for asbestos-related illnesses. This sets mesothelioma specialists apart from general oncologists who usually do not maintain such focused expertise.
Pleural Mesothelioma Doctors
The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. It develops in the lining of the lungs, called the pleura. Pleural mesothelioma specialists include thoracic surgeons and medical oncologists. These doctors may have experience administering effective pleural mesothelioma treatments, including:
Pleural mesothelioma doctors work in cancer centers around the country. Smaller cancer centers may not have experienced pleural mesothelioma specialists. Patients may need to seek treatment in a larger cancer center to access the best pleural mesothelioma doctors.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Doctors
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of the disease. This type develops in the lining of the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma doctors may practice medical oncology or gastrointestinal surgery. These doctors may recommend a variety of peritoneal mesothelioma treatments, including:
Peritoneal mesothelioma doctors work in cancer centers around the country. However, peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare cancer. As such, patients may need to travel to a large cancer center to access the best peritoneal mesothelioma doctors.
03. How to Choose a Doctor
Choosing a Mesothelioma Doctor
Mesothelioma doctors and treatment centers across the country provide care for patients. It’s important to connect with a care team you can trust. Patients with mesothelioma should ask questions to learn about a physician’s qualifications.
Mesothelioma Experience and Specialty
Patients should choose a doctor with years of experience and expertise in their specific type of mesothelioma. Many mesothelioma doctors have experience treating pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. A specialist can also recommend the best treatment based on the patient’s cell type and mesothelioma stage.
Treatment Options and Clinical Trials
It’s important for patients to choose an oncologist who understands standard and emerging mesothelioma treatment options. A specialist can recommend the best treatment options for a patient’s unique case. Top mesothelioma doctors across the country are also leading research for new treatments that could potentially extend patient survival. These doctors may help eligible patients find clinical trials that could improve their quality of life.
Trust and Communication
Mesothelioma patients should be able to trust their physicians. Top oncologists will listen to their patient’s concerns and answer any questions. Doctors will provide recommendations, but patients can ultimately choose how to proceed with treatment. Doctors should be available throughout the treatment process to discuss side effects and mesothelioma prognosis.
Cost and Travel Concerns
Patients may be concerned with treatment cost. Some patients and their loved ones travel for treatment and incur additional costs, such as accommodations. Patients should talk with their doctors and insurance providers to understand what costs may or may not be covered. Some mesothelioma treatment centers may offer support resources for patients and their families. There are also organizations that provide financial resources to support cancer victims.
04. Working With a Specialist
Why It’s Important to Work With a Mesothelioma Specialist
Mesothelioma specialists have the experience and expertise needed to accurately diagnose the disease and determine an effective treatment plan.
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer and can be misdiagnosed. Many general oncologists are not experienced in diagnosing or treating the disease. An early, accurate mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment are the best ways for patients to improve life expectancy.
Treatment for mesothelioma can be complex. Pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma specialists know which cancer treatments are most effective. They will often work with a multidisciplinary care team to create a personalized plan for each patient’s case.
Targeted treatment plans can improve mesothelioma life expectancy and relieve mesothelioma symptoms.
05. Best Doctors Near You
Find a Nearby Mesothelioma Specialist
Doctors across the United States offer top mesothelioma cancer care. Select a state to see a list of mesothelioma doctors in your area.
Mesothelioma Doctors by State
Select a state to see a list of mesothelioma doctors in your area.
Mesothelioma Doctors
Robert Winter, M.D.
Consultant Respiratory Physician
CB23 3RE,
Jeanne E. Anderson, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Anchorage, AK
William E. Curtis, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Anchorage, AK
Francisco Robert-Vizcarrondo, M.D.
Medical Oncologist/Hematologist
Birmingham, AL
Benjamin Wei, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Birmingham, AL
Konstantinos Arnaoutakis, M.D.
Medical Hematologist and Oncologist
Little Rock, AR
Matthew A. Steliga, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Little Rock, AR
Linda L. Garland, M.D.
Director of the Clinical Lung Cancer Program
Tucson, AZ
Helen J. Ross, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Phoenix, AZ
Nabil Wasif, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Phoenix, AZ
Joel M. Baumgartner, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
La Jolla, CA
Robert Brian Cameron, M.D.
Chief of General Thoracic Surgery
Los Angeles, CA
Michael Yuechia Chang, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA
W. Charles Conway, II, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Santa Barbara, CA
Mark R. Cullen, M.D.
Director of the Center for Population Health Sciences
Stanford, CA
Matthew A. Gubens, M.D.
Thoracic Oncologist
San Francisco, CA
David M. Jablons, M.D.
Chief of General Thoracic Surgery and Director of the Thoracic Oncology Laboratory
San Francisco, CA
Thierry Marie Jahan, M.D.
Retired Medical Oncologist
San Francisco, CA
Mark W. Lischner, M.D.
Pulmonary Specialist
Roseville, CA
Ravi Salgia, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Associate Director for Clinical Sciences
Duarte, CA
Howard Jack West, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Duarte, CA
Steven Ahrendt, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist and Director of the Cytoreductive Surgery/HIPEC Program
Aurora, CO
D. Ross Camidge, M.D.
Director of Thoracic Oncology
Aurora, CO
Robert C. Doebele, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Director of the Thoracic Oncology Research Initiative
Aurora, CO
John D. Mitchell, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Chief of General Thoracic Surgery
Aurora, CO
W. Thomas Purcell, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Aurora, CO
Frank C. Detterbeck, M.D.
Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Director of Thoracic Oncology
New Haven, CT
Michael R. Grey, M.D.
Chairman of the Department of Medicine
Hartford, CT
Carrie A. Redlich, M.D.
Director of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program
New Haven, CT
Paul H. Sugarbaker, M.D.
Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncologist
Washington, DC
Gregory A. Masters, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Newark, DE
Charles R. Mulligan, Jr., M.D.
Chief of Thoracic Surgery
Newark, DE
Alberto A. Chiappori, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Tampa, FL
Farid Gharagozloo, M.D.
Medical Director of Thoracic Surgery
Kissimmee, FL
Yanyan Lou, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Jacksonville, FL
Lary A. Robinson, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Tampa, FL
Tawee Tanvetyanon, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Tampa, FL
Eric Toloza, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Tampa, FL
Nestor R. Villamizar Ortiz, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon/Thoracic Surgeon
Miami, FL
Seth D. Force, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon and Surgical Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program
Atlanta, GA
Daniel L. Miller, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Newnan, GA
Suresh S. Ramalingam, M.D.
Thoracic Oncologist
Atlanta, GA
Jess D. Schwartz, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Lawrenceville, GA
Michele Carbone, M.D.
Director of Thoracic Oncology
Honolulu, HI
Haining Yang, M.D.
Researcher
Honolulu, HI
Gerald H. Clamon, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Iowa City, IA
James M. Levett, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Cedar Rapids, IA
Timothy E. Sawyer, M.D.
Radiation Oncologist
Boise, ID
Matthew W. Schoolfield, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Boise, ID
Edward R. Setser, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Idaho Falls, ID
Samuel Armato, M.D.
Radiologist
Chicago, IL
Philip D. Bonomi, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Chicago, IL
Traves D. Crabtree, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Springfield, IL
Hedy Lee Kindler, M.D.
Director of the Mesothelioma Program
Chicago, IL
Muaiaid Kittaneh, M.D.
Hematologist/Oncologist
Orland Park, IL
Michael J. Liptay, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Chicago, IL
Kiran K. Turaga, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Chicago, IL
Wickii Thambiah Vigneswaran, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Maywood, IL
Anita F. Conte, M.D.
Medical Oncologist/Hematologist
Columbus, IN
Chadrick E. Denlinger, M.D.
Professor of Surgery
Indianapolis, IN
Michael T. Slaughter, M.D.
Medical Oncologist/Hematologist
Indianapolis, IN
Ali Ahmad, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Wichita, KS
Chao Huang, M.D.
Director of the Lung Program
Kansas City, KS
Prakash Neupane, M.D.
Medical Hematologist/Oncologist
Westwood, KS
Victor H. van Berkel, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Louisville, KY
Goetz H. Kloecker, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Louisville, KY
Timothy W. Mullett, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Lexington, KY
Brian L. Pettiford, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
New Orleans, LA
Robert Ramirez, D.O.
Medical Oncologist
New Orleans, LA
Raphael Bueno, M.D.
Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Director of the International Mesothelioma Program
Boston, MA
Pasi A. Janne, M.D.
Director of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology
Boston, MA
Michael S. Kent, M.D.
Director of Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Boston, MA
Richard L. Kradin, M.D.
Retired Associate Pathologist
Boston, MA
David J. Kwiatkowski, M.D.
Senior Physician
Boston, MA
M. Blair Marshall, M.D.
Associate Professor of Thoracic Surgery
Boston, MA
Scott J. Swanson, M.D.
Director of Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Boston, MA
Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Boston, MA
Julie Renee Brahmer, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program
Baltimore, MD
Patrick Forde, M.D.
Director of the Thoracic Cancer Clinical Research Program
Baltimore, MD
Joseph S. Friedberg, M.D.
Head of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Program Director of Pleural Mesothelioma
Baltimore, MD
Raffit Hassan, M.D.
Chief of the Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch and Senior Investigator
Bethesda, MD
Petr F. Hausner, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Baltimore, MD
Christine L. Lau, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Baltimore, MD
Stephen C. Yang, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Baltimore, MD
Seth D. Blank, M.D.
Thoracic/Cardiovascular Surgeon
Augusta, ME
Gary M. Hochheiser, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Scarborough, ME
Richard N. Berri, M.D.
Director of Surgical Oncology and Peritoneal Malignancies Program
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Shirish M. Gadgeel, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Detroit, MI
Gregory P. Kalemkerian, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Ann Arbor, MI
Ayman Soubani, M.D.
Thoracic Oncologist
Detroit, MI
Elliot Wakeam, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Ann Arbor, MI
Robert Kratzke, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Minneapolis, MN
Aaron S. Mansfield, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Rochester, MN
Tobias Peikert, M.D.
Critical Care Specialist and Pulmonologist
Rochester, MN
Ramaswamy Govindan, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Saint Louis, MO
Alexander Patterson, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Saint Louis, MO
Pierre E. De Delva, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Jackson, MS
John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Director
Jackson, MS
John A. Federico, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Kalispell, MT
John M. Schallenkamp, M.D.
Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director of Oncology
Billings, MT
David H. Harpole, M.D.
Professor of Surgery and Pathology
Durham, NC
Edward A. Levine, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Winston-Salem, NC
Jill Ohar, M.D.
Pulmonologist
Winston-Salem, NC
Sabha Ganai, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Fargo, ND
Preston Steen, M.D.
Medical Oncologist/Hematologist/Palliative Medicine Specialist
Fargo, ND
Daniel M. Tuvin, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Fargo, ND
Jason M. Foster, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Omaha, NE
Rudy P. Lackner, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Omaha, NE
Brian W. Loggie, M.D.
Chief of Division of Surgical Oncology & Director of the Cancer Center at Creighton University Medical Center
Omaha, NE
Shahriyour Andaz, M.D.
Director of Thoracic Oncology
Lynbrook, New York
Konstantin H. Dragnev, M.D.
Medical Oncologist/Hematologist
Lebanon, NH
David J. Finley, M.D.
Director of the Comprehensive Thoracic Oncology Program
Lebanon, NH
H. Richard Alexander, Jr., M.D.
Chief Surgical Officer
New Brunswick, NJ
Bruce G. Haffty, M.D.
Chief of Staff and Chair of Radiation Oncology
New Brunswick, NJ
Jyoti Malhotra, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
New Brunswick, NJ
Charles Dietl, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Albuquerque, NM
Fadi Braiteh, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Las Vegas, NV
Nicholas J. Vogelzang, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Las Vegas, NV
John D. Allendorf, M.D.
Chief of Surgical Oncology
Mineola, NY
Robert J. Cerfolio, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon & Director of Clinical Thoracic Surgery and Director of NYU Langone Lung Cancer Center
New York, NY
John A. Chabot, M.D.
Chief of the Division of GI & Endocrine Surgery and Executive Director of the Pancreas Center
New York, NY
Cliff P. Connery, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Poughkeepsie, NY
Raja M. Flores, M.D.
Chair of the Department of Thoracic Surgery
New York, NY
Giuseppe Giaccone, M.D.
Chief of Thoracic Oncology
New York, NY
Daniel M. Labow, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
New York, NY
Harvey Pass, M.D.
Director of General Thoracic Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Oncology
New York, NY
Roman Perez-Soler, M.D.
Chief of the Division of Medical Oncology
Bronx, NY
Stephen C. Rush, M.D.
Radiation Oncologist
New York, NY
Umut Sarpel, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
New York, NY
Daniel H. Sterman, M.D.
Director of Multidisciplinary Pulmonary Oncology Program
New York, NY
Emanuela Taioli, M.D.
Director of the Institute for Translational Epidemiology and the Center for the Study of Thoracic Diseases Outcomes
New York, NY
Tracey L. Weigel, M.D.
Chief of Thoracic Surgery
Valhalla, NY
Andrea S. Wolf, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
New York, NY
Sai Yendamuri, M.D.
Director of the Thoracic Surgery Laboratory
Buffalo, NY
David P. Carbone, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Director of the James Thoracic Center
Columbus, OH
Edmund Folefac, M.D.
Medical Oncologist/Hematologist
Columbus, OH
Feng-Ming Spring Kong, M.D.
Radiation Oncologist
Cleveland, OH
Nathan Pennell, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Oncologist and Director of the TCI Lung Cancer Medical Oncology Program
Cleveland, OH
James Stevenson, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Cleveland, OH
Claire Verschraegen, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Associate Director of Translational Research
Columbus, OH
Peter Baik, M.D.
Director of Thoracic Surgery
Tulsa, OK
Daniel Nader, M.D.
Pulmonologist and Chief of Staff
Tulsa, OK
Pragatheeshwar Thirunavukarasu, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Tulsa, OK
Rachel E. Sanborn, M.D.
Medical Oncologist and Co-Director of the Providence Thoracic Oncology Program
Portland, OR
Paul H. Schipper, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Portland, OR
Steven M. Albelda, M.D.
Vice Chief and Director of Lung Research, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Philadelphia, PA
David Bartlett, M.D.
Chair of AHN Cancer Institute
Erie, PA
Neil A. Christie, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Pittsburgh, PA
Joel D. Cooper, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Philadelphia, PA
Cherie P. Erkmen, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon and Director of Lung Cancer Screening Program
Philadelphia, PA
Larry R. Kaiser, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon and President & CEO of Temple University Heath System
Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Giorgos C. Karakousis, M.D.
Associate Professor of Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Rodney J. Landreneau, M.D.
Director of Thoracic Surgery
Altoona, PA
Corey J. Langer, M.D.
Director of Thoracic Oncology
Philadelphia, PA
James D. Luketich, M.D.
Director of Thoracic Surgical Oncology and Co-Director of the Lung Cancer Center
Pittsburgh, PA
James Pingpank, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Pittsburgh, PA
Sunil Singhal, M.D.
Director of the Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratory
Philadelphia, PA
Antoinette Wozniak
Thoracic Medical Oncologist
Pittsburgh, PA
Jack A. Elias, M.D.
Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences & Senior Vice President for Health Affairs
Providence, RI
John Pella, M.D.
Pulmonologist
Cranston, RI
Sundaresan T. Sambandam, M.D.
Oncologist
Cranston, RI
Anthony Testa, M.D.
Hematologist & Oncologist
Johnston, RI
Alice Boylan, M.D.
Chief of Acute, Critical, and Trauma
Charleston, SC
Carol A Sherman, M.D.
Thoracic Medical Oncologist
Charleston, SC
Ashraf A. Elshami, M.D.
Pulmonologist
Sioux Falls, SD
Michael Keppen, M.D.
Medical Oncologist/Hematologist and Director of the Sanford Lung Tumor Program
Sioux Falls, SD
Kamran Idrees, M.D.
Director of Peritoneal Surface Malignancy/HIPEC program and Director of Pancreatic and GI Surgical Oncology
Nashville, TN
Eric S. Lambright, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon and Surgical Director of Lung Transplant
Nashville, TN
Bryan Burt, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon/Thoracic Surgical Oncologist and Director of General Thoracic Surgery Research
Houston, TX
Shawn S. Groth, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon and Director of Esophageal Surgical Services
Houston, TX
Kemp Kernstine, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon and Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery
Dallas, TX
Cesar A. Moran, M.D.
Co-Director of Thoracic Malignancies Tissue Bank and Co-Director of (Pathology) Lung Cancer SPORE
Houston, TX
Kanwal Raghav, M.D.
Assistant Professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal (GI) Medical Oncology
Houston, TX
David C. Rice, M.D.
Professor in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Houston, TX
Robert Taylor Ripley, M.D.
Director of the Mesothelioma Treatment Center
Houston, TX
Anne S. Tsao, M.D.
Director of the Department of Mesothelioma Program
Houston, TX
Anna Chalmers, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Salt Lake City, UT
Shiven B. Patel, M.D.
Medical Oncologist/Hematologist
Salt Lake City, UT
Ryan Gentzler, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Charlottesville, VA
Steven Ades, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Burlington, VT
Christopher J. Anker, M.D.
Radiation Oncologist
Burlington, VT
Brooke Mossman, M.D.
University Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Burlington, VT
Alexander Farivar, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Seattle, WA
Michael S. Mulligan, M.D.
Director of Lung Transplant, Advanced Lung Disease Surgery and Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Programs
Seattle, WA
Evan S. Ong, M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
Seattle, WA
Eric Vallieres, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Seattle, WA
Douglas E. Wood, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon and Oncologist
Seattle, WA
David Johnstone, M.D.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Milwaukee, WI
H. Ian Robins, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Madison, WI
Nepal C. Chowdhury, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Huntington, WV
Rebecca S. Wolfer, M.D.
Thoracic Surgeon
Huntington, WV
Joseph Rosen, M.D.
Medical Oncologist
Casper, WY
Robert L. Tobin, M.D.
Radiation Oncologist
Casper, WY
06. First Mesothelioma Appointment
What to Expect at the First Mesothelioma Appointment
At the initial appointment, patients will discuss diagnosis, medical history and treatment options with their doctor. The appointment may begin with a physical exam or additional testing. After, the mesothelioma doctor will discuss details of the diagnosis (e.g., type, cell type and stage) and the prognosis.
At the first appointment, mesothelioma doctors may recommend a treatment plan. Patients and their loved ones can consider treatment options, including emerging treatments and clinical trials. Treatment should begin as soon as possible to slow the cancer’s spread.
What to Bring to the Doctor’s Appointment
- A friend or family member that can offer support, ask questions and listen
- A list of current allergies
- A list of current medications, vitamins and supplements
- A list of current questions and concerns
- All medical records and scans
- A notebook to take notes during the appointment
- Any new patient forms that were sent prior to the appointment
- Copies of insurance cards
Each doctor and cancer center may conduct initial appointments differently. However, a doctor will need to know a patient’s medical and occupational history. To prepare, patients and families should bring health records and up-to-date insurance information.
07. Questions to Ask
Questions to Ask a Mesothelioma Doctor
Patients should come to appointments with questions and potential concerns. By asking questions, patients can build strong communication and trust with the medical team.
Patients should connect with a mesothelioma doctor to understand their diagnosis and get the best treatment possible. Mesothelioma treatment may improve patient life expectancy and quality of life.
08. Common Questions
Common Questions About Mesothelioma Doctors
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What is the importance of seeing a mesothelioma doctor?
- Mesothelioma doctors have experience diagnosing and treating the disease. These specialists typically also have a better understanding of what clinical trials are available.
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Should you seek a second opinion from a mesothelioma doctor?
- Mesothelioma patients should always seek help from a mesothelioma doctor to ensure an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. It may be beneficial for patients to seek a second opinion from a specialist experienced in treating their particular type of mesothelioma.
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What is a thoracic oncologist?
- A thoracic oncologist is a doctor experienced in diagnosing and treating lung cancers. Thoracic oncologists are most likely to have experience treating pleural mesothelioma.
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What type of doctor treats asbestos-related cancers?
- Asbestos-related disease specialists include experts across many specialties such as thoracic oncology, gastrointestinal oncology and medical oncology. The best asbestos-related cancer doctors specifically focus on diagnosing and treating mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.