Written By: Devin Golden
Mesothelioma Doctors and Specialists
The top mesothelioma doctors provide unmatched medical care to patients of this rare cancer. With their help, you could extend your life past the average survival time and improve your quality of life. Find a mesothelioma specialist from our list.
JUMP TO A TOPIC
Important Facts About Mesothelioma Doctors and Specialists
- Not all cancer doctors know how to treat malignant mesothelioma. We have a list of specialists — surgeons, oncologists and researchers — to help you.
- The top mesothelioma specialists usually work at cancer centers. Some centers have multiple specialists to help.
- A lot of people want a “mesothelioma doctor near me.” While location is important, experience is more important.
- Ask a patient advocate for help finding a mesothelioma doctor. Our team can guide you through choosing a specialist.
The Best Mesothelioma Doctors
How to Find a Mesothelioma Doctor
You should focus on finding a doctor who fits your needs, starting with the type of cancer you have.
Here are four steps to finding the right mesothelioma doctor:
Find a doctor for your type of mesothelioma. Not every doctor can treat both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Some specialize in one or the other. A few specialize in both.
Find a mesothelioma doctor with experience. You’ll need someone who is experienced recognizing mesothelioma on scans, suggesting therapies, and performing surgery.
Look where the top specialists are located. Find a mesothelioma doctor near you to avoid long-distance traveling or temporary housing. For example, search for “Florida mesothelioma doctors”, “California mesothelioma doctors” or “New York mesothelioma doctors” if you live near any of these areas.
Talk with a mesothelioma patient advocate. Patient advocates dedicate their time to helping people find doctors. Use our Doctor Match program to make this process quicker and easier.
What to Look for in a Top Mesothelioma Doctor
Here are a few qualities to look for in finding a mesothelioma specialist. All of the top mesothelioma doctors have at least a few of these merits.
Specialty With a Type of Mesothelioma
Hospital websites often list pleural mesothelioma specialists as thoracic surgeons and oncologists. Peritoneal mesothelioma specialists fall under abdominal, gastrointestinal, or general surgeons and oncologists. However, not all surgeons or surgical oncologists have experience with mesothelioma. You should find a doctor specializing in mesothelioma. Some specialists can treat both types of mesothelioma due to focusing their careers on this cancer.
Experience Treating Mesothelioma
The top surgeons or oncologists have decades of experience performing mesothelioma surgery or administering other therapies. They also know the FDA-approved treatments. Pleural and Peritoneal mesothelioma surgeons should have the experience to perform aggressive surgery to remove any visible tumors and the knowledge to execute the HIPEC (Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) procedure when appropriate.
Working at a Top Cancer Center
Mesothelioma doctors at the top mesothelioma cancer centers have more resources at their disposal. They also have the support and collaboration of other doctors and nursing staff. Working at an elite cancer hospital is also a sign of a doctor being more than qualified in their specialty. Prioritize doctors at the top cancer centers.
Medical Certifications and Affiliations
Find a mesothelioma doctor with credentials within their field of expertise. For instance, surgeons will be certified by at least one surgical organization, such as the American Board of Surgery.
Communication and Compassion for Patients
Fighting cancer is difficult, and you need compassion from your medical team. Studies show that mesothelioma survivors had complete faith in their entire treatment team.
Location to Your Home
If location is an important factor, search for a “mesothelioma doctor near me” in Google. This will help you find a doctor close to home, but remember that some of the best doctors may be out of state and require travel. You should prioritize finding the best doctor over compromising for someone local whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma Doctors
How do I find a mesothelioma doctor?
While mesothelioma is a rare cancer and requires specific experience, there are a lot of medical options for people with this cancer. There are more than 30 doctors listed on our website, in each area of the country, and many more in our database of mesothelioma specialists.
Who are some of the best doctors for mesothelioma?
We have a list of the highest-regarded mesothelioma surgeons and oncologists in the United States. Some notable doctors we often recommend are:
- Dr. Raphael Bueno in Boston
- Dr. Raja Flores in New York City
- Dr. Anne Tsao in Houston
- Dr. James Pingpank in Pittsburgh
- Dr. Joseph Friedberg in Philadelphia
What should I look for in a mesothelioma doctor?
Experience is the top characteristic to consider in a mesothelioma doctor. You want a specialist who has helped multiple patients through surgery or other treatments. The doctor you choose should have a history of helping patients outlast their initial prognosis. Other characteristics include an excellent bedside manner and having mesothelioma research published in scientific journals.
Sources & Author
