What You Need To Know When Selecting A Physician To Treat Mesothelioma

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November 20, 2007

Selecting a physician to help in treating your mesothelioma disease is an important aspect of treatment. Most mesothelioma diagnoses come with a grim prognosis. When choosing a physician to administer care, there are four points anyone should consider.

1. Does my physician have experience with mesothelioma?

One question to ask on the first consultation is if the physician has any other patient’s with the same illness. No one wants to be the first, or a test case. If the physician has a working knowledge of mesothelioma, it may be from other patient’s he is treating. If the physician does not have any experience treating mesothelioma, he or she might not be the right physician for you.

2. Is my physician someone who is involved in institutional research?

Physicians who take part in the development and implementation of research and research drugs are usually on the cusp of new developments in medicine and courses of treatment. Ask the physician if he or she takes part in research and if the research studies are any that you could be involved in, if you desire to try experimental drug treatments.

3. Is my physician of the appropriate specialty?

Mesothelioma attacks different parts of the body. Most people have the lung form of the disease. Pulmonologists specialize in lung condition. If the mesothelioma is in the heart, a cardiologist might need to be consulted. Mesothelioma in the abdomen might require a gastroenterologist, a nephrologist, or an internist. Specialty physicians may also be needed to work with your primary care M.D. to make certain you are receiving a global treatment plan.

4. Do I need to see an oncologist?

Oncologists work with cancers of the body and prescribe chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Because mesothelioma is a kind of cancer, working with an oncologist might be of benefit to your health status.

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