From their diagnosis through their treatment and beyond, pleural mesothelioma patients will probably see a long list of different doctors. In many cases, if patients are being treated at a major cancer center, there will be a multi-disciplinary team of medical professionals that will design and monitor their care. If the patient is being treated at a smaller, less specialized facility, the list of doctors may not be as long, but, nonetheless, several different doctors will be involved in their treatment.
The diagnosis and treatment of pleural mesothelioma sometimes begins with a visit to the patient’s primary care physician – the family doctor. The primary care physician is a medical generalist who has a broad range of knowledge about many medical subjects and the patient usually schedules an appointment with this doctor when he/she becomes concerned with the symptoms that have arisen. This physician may not make the diagnosis but will most likely order tests to further investigate the patient’s concerns and may make referrals to other kinds of doctors. The primary care physician should gather a complete medical and work history on the patient and it is essential that he be informed of any previous exposure to asbestos. This can help avoid misdiagnosis and delay of treatment.
A pathologist is the physician most likely to assess a mesothelioma patient’s initial test results though it is likely that the patient may never come face-to-face with this professional. If a biopsy is performed, for example, it will be reviewed by the pathologist, who specializes in scientific study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences. In most cases, the primary care physician or other medical team member usually sends tests to the pathologist for interpretation and the pathologist communicates back to the physicians involved in diagnosis.
An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer. A pleural mesothelioma patient may be referred to an oncologist by his primary care physician. The oncologist will be one of the prime sources of information for the pleural mesothelioma patient and this is the doctor who will recommend a course of treatment for the cancer. An oncologist may also make referrals to other doctors, arranges tests, communicate with the medical team and manage the case. It is essential that the patient locate a medical oncologist with a good working knowledge of pleural mesothelioma, especially given the rarity of the disease. Often, these doctors are affiliated with a major cancer center but may also be found at a local hospital.
When surgery is recommended, either for curative or palliative purposes, the patient will be sent to consult with a thoracic surgeon. This is a surgeon who specializes in treating diseases and disorders of the lungs, including cancer. Not everyone is a candidate for surgery, so this person may or may not be part of the medical team for every pleural mesothelioma patient.
Some oncologists specialize in the use of radiation therapy to treat cancer and because radiation is often recommended for pleural mesothelioma patients, this individual will probably be part of the medical team that helps determine the best course of treatment. The radiation oncologist studies each individual case to determine the best kind of radiation (external beam or brachytherapy) for each particular patient, the dosage, and the length of treatment.
Palliative care is treatment intended to improve a patient’s overall quality of life, and because there is no cure for mesothelioma and it is difficult to fight, palliative care is often suggested, even at the start of treatment. For many mesothelioma patients, palliative care is a serious issue to consider as they near the end of their life. Palliative care addresses pain relief and provides mental and emotional support for patients and their loved ones. Palliative care professionals are kind and caring and understand the stress of dealing with cancer and end-of-life issues.
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