Mesothelioma Radiologist
An individual undergoing the diagnostic process will probably come into contact with a radiologist at some point during their diagnosis and treatment.
Radiology is a medical specialty that allows trained doctors to diagnose and sometimes treat people according to the results of medical imaging scans. In the past, radiology was limited to the use of x-ray machines and similar medical imaging devices. Currently, a person who is undergoing a diagnostic process is more likely to receive not only an x-ray, but also other medical imaging tests (such as a CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan or ultrasound).
Each of these diagnostic machines uses a different type of technology, such as radiation or magnetic waves, to create one- or two-dimensional images of the inside of the human body. These images can reveal the location of bones, organs and solid masses within the body.
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What Does a Radiologist Do?
If you see a radiologist during the course of a diagnostic process, the radiologist will consult with other doctors involved, check medical history, and also discuss options before ordering diagnostic imaging tests.
Your radiologist may or may not directly carry out the tests. In most cases, medical imaging scans are carried out by radiology technicians, who set up machines and scans according to instructions given by the radiologist.
Once the tests have been completed and the resulting images have been developed, the radiologist uses these images and other information to diagnose disease and determine the stage of development.
Following diagnosis, the radiologist and other doctors use the information gained from the medical imaging scans to determine the most appropriate course of treatment. The results of these scans will give your doctors very important information, such as the size of tumors, their exact location, and whether tumors have spread to other organs. All of this information is important in determining what type of treatment will be best for your individual condition. This is particularly important for the rarer forms of mesothelioma, such as peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma, as there are few established treatment regimes for these types of cancer.
These types of medical imaging tests can even be useful during the treatment process. For example, your radiologist may order scans periodically while you are being treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, since these scans can determine whether or not tumors have shrunk or disappeared. The scans may also be carried out at intervals following surgery, so the radiologist can determine whether any tumors have returned after surgical removal.
Is There More Than One Type of Radiologist?
If you are undergoing diagnosis for an asbestos-related disease, or have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, it is likely that you will be referred to a radiologist at some point during diagnosis or treatment.
Since many radiologists specialize, you may see a different type of radiologist depending on the type of mesothelioma diagnosed. For example, some radiologists specialize in diagnostic radiology of the chest, which best applies to pleural mesothelioma. Alternatively, if you are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, you will be more likely to see a gastrointestinal radiologist.
Radiologists may also specialize according to the type of machine they operate. Some might specialize in the use of Computed Tomography (CT scans), while others might specialize in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI scans).
This simply means that it is possible patients may meet with two or even three different radiologists during the course of diagnosis and treatment. For example, during the diagnosis procedure, you might meet with one or two radiologists who specialize in working with a particular kind of medical imaging machine. Once you have been diagnosed with a specific type of mesothelioma, you may begin to see a new radiologist who specializes in working with medical imaging that involves a particular part of the body.
Working with a Radiologist
Do not forget you can ask your radiologist questions at any time. In general, your radiologist should clearly explain the procedures you will undergo, and should also tell you about the results of the medical imaging tests. If there are any aspects of the process or results that you do not understand, do not hesitate to ask your radiologist for more information.
Diagnosis and treatment of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma can be a very frightening process, and if you feel obtaining more information about the process will help you, the radiologist will be happy to help.
Finding a Radiologist
Need help finding a specialist? Check out our Doctor Match Program, which can connect you to top doctors nationwide.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Friday, February 10th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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