Mesothelioma Doctors

Decades ago, doctors were just starting to learn all the facts about mesothelioma. For many years, little was mentioned about the disease and those who developed it often stumped family doctors who just weren't sure why their patients had suddenly become so very ill. Today, much more is known about the disease, why it develops, and what to do to treat it.hough this asbestos-caused cancer is rare in comparison to other types of cancer, as diagnosed cases continued to grow throughout the last 20-30 years, a number of specialists have taken up the cause and have become experts in the diagnosis and treatment of this aggressive disease.
These top mesothelioma doctors won't be the first medical professional that most patients see. Generally, a patient's family doctor is the first to suspect the disease and, after several imaging tests and a definitive diagnosis, he/she passes the meso patient on to an oncologist that may be located in the region where the patient lives. While most oncologists are familiar with mesothelioma, because of the rarity of the disease not all of them have had experience treating this type of cancer.
Because of that, some patients prefer to seek out the country's top mesothelioma experts in order to receive the highest quality of care possible. In most cases, these doctors are located in larger cities at some of the nation's best hospitals, often those associated with top-notch universities and research centers. These doctors have forged a reputation based on their knowledge and exemplary care. Often, many of them are equally as involved in research as they are in patient care, meaning that they are able to provide mesothelioma patients with the latest information on treatment, clinical trials, and other particulars of the disease.
We offer a list of top doctors in our complimentary packet that may be able to help guide you in your journey. The packet also contains information about treatment that many patients wish to review before meeting with a doctor to prepare questions and gain knowledge about the process. To receive your packet overnight, please click here.
In some instances, these mesothelioma doctors are not oncologists at all, though they are well-versed in cancer treatment. Many are pulmonologists - doctors that deal specifically with diseases of the lungs. Others might be thoracic surgeons - health professionals who specialize in performing surgery that addresses conditions of the lungs, chest wall, esophagus, and diaphragm. Which of these individuals a patient sees will largely depend on the individual case, but all can offer the best care possible once they become familiar with the person's disease and its particulars.
Because top mesothelioma doctors aren't located in every small town in the U.S., including some that have been greatly touched by the disease due to local industry, many individuals choose to travel to the closest large hospital and take advantage of the mesothelioma experts there. Usually, that involves additional expenses including travel, lodging, meals, etc., but many deem the extra expense to be well worth the money spent. In many cases, hospitals assist out-of-town patients in finding affordable accommodations during their stay and some hospitals even offer their own lodging options for patients who have traveled a great distance for care. Potential patients should call a hospital social worker for more information on such programs.
Patients should also check with their medical insurance carriers before making decisions about treatment with any of the doctors listed below. All insurance is different and some policies may actually cover travel and other expenses involved in seeing one of these mesothelioma experts. Again, an administrator in the doctor's office or hospital personnel may be able to help determine what is covered and what is not.
Meeting with a doctor before making a definitive choice is often a good idea. Though he/she may be an expert in the field of mesothelioma, patients should strive to choose someone with whom they believe they can work well. Having a good rapport with your doctor is essential in building trust and open lines of communication are certainly a must. Take time to interview a doctor before making a final decision.

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