Written By: Devin Golden
Mesothelioma Doctors and Specialists
The top mesothelioma doctors are cancer experts with lengthy experience treating this rare and aggressive cancer. Some of the top doctors for mesothelioma are: Dr. Joseph Friedberg; Dr. James Pingpank; Dr. Eugene Choi; and Dr. Deepa Magge. They provide unmatched medical care to help people with mesothelioma extend their life past the average survival time.
Medically Reviewed By
Karen Ritter, RN BSN
Registered Nurse
Medically Reviewed By
Karen Ritter, RN BSN
Registered Nurse
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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
Here are four steps to find 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 tumors on scans, suggesting mesothelioma treatment options, 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
Some of the qualities to look for in a top mesothelioma doctor are experience, knowledge of treatment options, medical certifications, communication and empathy, and working at a top mesothelioma cancer center. All of the top mesothelioma doctors have at least a few of these merits.
Specialty With a Type of Mesothelioma
Look for a mesothelioma doctor who specializes in at least one 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. Some specialists can treat both types of mesothelioma due to focusing their careers on this cancer.
Experience Treating Mesothelioma
Find a mesothelioma doctor with many years of experience treating this rare cancer. This experience is important, as many general oncologists or cancer surgeons have never seen mesothelioma tumors on scans or in the operating room. The top surgeons and oncologists for mesothelioma have decades of experience performing surgery or recommending chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Working at a Top Cancer Center
Patients are recommended to look for mesothelioma doctors working at top cancer centers. This is a sign of the doctor being highly qualified and respected among their peers. Mesothelioma doctors at the top mesothelioma cancer centers also have more resources at their disposal. They also have the support and collaboration of other doctors and nursing staff.
Medical Certifications and Affiliations
Find a mesothelioma doctor with medical credentials and organization affiliations 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
Communication and compassion for patients is an important trait in mesothelioma doctors. Fighting cancer is difficult, and you need compassion from your medical team. You also need to form a connection with your doctor that includes trust in what they tell you. Studies show that mesothelioma survivors had complete faith in their entire treatment team.
Location to Your Home
Location close to your home can be an important quality in a mesothelioma doctor. Mesothelioma Guide can help you find a doctor close to your home city, but remember that some of the best doctors may be out of state. 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?
Mesothelioma Guide can help you 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?
Some of the best doctors for mesothelioma 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?
You should look for a mesothelioma doctor with experience, compassion, knowledge of treatments, and recommendations from past patients. Experience is the top characteristic to consider in a mesothelioma doctor. You want a specialist who has helped multiple patients through surgery and other mesothelioma treatments.
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