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Mesothelioma Doctors
Choosing a mesothelioma doctor is the most important step after diagnosis. Get help finding a specialist near you and preparing for your first appointment.
Key Points
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1
It's ok to take some time finding the right doctor before you agree to a treatment plan.
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Your first appointment with a specialist can take 1 – 3 hours and will cover a lot of details.
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A little planning up front can help cut down the stress of these early appointments.
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Bringing a list of questions can help guide your discussion and give you peace of mind.
After a mesothelioma diagnosis, it’s important to seek care from a specialist. Because this cancer is so rare, general oncologists may not know the best ways to treat it. Some may even think it’s not worth treating, which is almost never true.
Mesothelioma doctors have experience with this rare tumor. They know which treatments extend survival in specific circumstances. And many specialists also treat patients through clinical trials. This type of research can provide access to emerging treatments.
Many specialists also work at cancer centers where patients have access to many types of support. These larger care systems can help with mental health, financial and practical needs. In general, you get more comprehensive care from specialists at big hospitals.
How Do You Choose the Right Mesothelioma Doctor?
When facing a rare cancer like mesothelioma, you may feel like you can’t slow down to weigh your options. But it’s better to choose a qualified specialist than to rush into the wrong treatment. You deserve a doctor who can effectively treat this cancer and keep your preferences in mind.
Malignant mesothelioma is rare, which means specialists are also fairly scarce. But cancer centers that draw patients from long distances often have several mesothelioma doctors. Some of the most experienced specialists are located at larger hospitals like Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. Centers in California, New York and Texas also have mesothelioma experts.
Some patients may have to travel to reach these top mesothelioma cancer clinics. You might decide traveling is worth it to enroll in a specific clinical trial. You can keep these factors in mind as you decide where to seek treatment.
How to Prepare for Your First Oncologist Appointment
It’s common to feel overwhelmed or anxious for your first oncologist appointment. Rest assured that a mesothelioma expert understands your situation. Specialists have experience talking through the options and answering your questions. But you might find it helpful to gather your thoughts before seeing the doctor. This can help settle your nerves and ensure you get the answers that matter most to you.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
You may have so many questions you don’t know where to start. It might be helpful to first think about how much you want to know. Some patients want every scrap of information. Others only want to hear which treatments can give them the best life expectancy. It’s ultimately your choice. But it’s a good idea to decide ahead of time so you can let your doctor know. This can help ensure they don’t accidentally tell you something you really didn’t want to know.
The questions below can get you started as you consider how much to discuss.
Example Questions to Ask Your Doctor
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Many patients are overwhelmed by their first appointment. You may meet several different people and learn too much at once. But with the preparation mentioned above, this appointment should leave you more informed. It should give you a fair understanding of your treatment options and prognosis.
Many patients find prognosis information discouraging. It’s important to remember that life expectancy is an educated guess. It’s not uncommon for cancer patients to outlive their doctor’s survival estimates. But it might be helpful to take notes on the treatment options and how they might affect survival. You don’t need to make all the decisions in the first appointment. It’s ok to walk away with information and settle on a plan when you’ve had time to process.
In some cases, this first appointment will actually be a series of meetings. You may talk with doctors, surgeons, nurses and more. Some cancer centers arrange consultations with financial advisors. These discussions can give you a better idea of what your insurance will cover and what will fall to you. You can also talk through any secondary costs like travel or lodging. The advisors may connect you with discount programs or other ways to reduce financial impacts.
At the end of your first appointment, you may be feeling information overload. It’s important to remember that you can take time to digest. Ask your family or friends to help you review everything. Use your online patient portal to ask any follow-up questions. Overall, take the time you need to feel confident in your decisions. And keep leaning on your support system.
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