Choosing
a Mesothelioma Doctor - Specialized Surgery Doctors, Questions to
Ask, Standard vs Specialized Mesothelioma Doctors
(August 22nd, 2008)
 If
you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma lung cancer after either
a CT, PET or MRI scan, consulting a specialized mesothelioma doctor
becomes very important. Your local hospital can only provide standard
care options such as a chemotherapy tests to diagnose the type of
mesothelioma you have, and standard pills or removal of fluids from
the lungs (pleural effusions). If you are looking for more advanced
treatment options such as surgery or radiation therapy, you will
have to find mesothelioma doctors who specialize in these fields
and can provide you with results. You can look at our list of mesothelioma
doctors to find one that is nearest to your state and city. The
first referral to a specialized mesothelioma doctor can come from
your primary family doctor who could give you advice & opinions
on what type of treatment may be best for you, and what doctor may
best suit your case. A mesothelioma specialist is a physician licensed
to practice medicine in your state and has passed a specialty exam
given by a specialty board.
Examples of specialized mesothelioma doctors include surgeons who
conduct surgical treatments on different parts of the body, for
example the lungs & the abdomen. Some surgeons will further
specialize in a sub-specialty, for example a thoracic surgeon specializes
in doing surgery on the chest area. Medical oncologists on the other
hand specialize in providing chemotherapy treatments, a branch of
internal medicine to patients. Radiologists specialize in the use
of ionizing radiation to kill malignant cells in the lungs and thus
are also a sub-specialty.
Choosing a Mesothelioma Doctor
Here are a few questions to ask before you choose a specialized
mesothelioma doctor:
i) Is the doctor trained & educated to meet your needs, and
does he have the experience/skills needed to treat mesothelioma
successfully?
ii) How many specialized mesothelioma treatment cases has the doctor
done in the last 1 year and over the course of their careers?
iii) Has the doctor thoroughly described to you all the treatment
options available for mesothelioma, and which one best suits your
needs?
iv) Does the doctor treat you with dignity & respect and cares
for your needs?
v) Does the doctor encourage you to ask questions and be informed,
and not shun you away?
vi) Does the doctor communicate with you in standard english langugage
or does he use too much medical jargon?
Choosing a Mesothelioma Surgeon
i) Does the surgeon have a certificate from a recognized medical
board?
ii) Does the surgeon belong to The American College of Surgeons
medical board?
iii) How many related mesothelioma surgeries has the surgeon done
in his/her career?
iv) Has the doctor clearly communicated to you the risks of surgery,
side effects, success rates and quality of life after surgery?
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