Mesothelioma Doctors

Top Mesothelioma Doctors

Dr. Paul H. Sugarbaker

Washington Cancer Center

Dr. Paul Sugarbaker is the country’s leading expert on peritoneal mesothelioma. He developed the widely renowned cytoreductive surgery and heated chemotherapy technique that changed the landscape of peritoneal cancer treatment. Many people with peritoneal mesothelioma are alive today because of Sugarbaker’s innovations.

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Dr. Abraham Lebenthal

West Roxbury VA Hospital

Dr. Abraham Lebenthal is a respected thoracic surgeon who treats pleural mesothelioma patients at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Boston VA Hospital. Lebenthal worked alongside Dr. David Sugarbaker at Brigham and teaches at Harvard Medical School.

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Dr. Sophie Dessureault

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

Dr. Sophie Dessureault is an award-winning surgical oncologist who specializes in peritoneal mesothelioma. She was a lead surgeon for a clinical trial that reported on the benefits of cytoreductive surgery and heated chemotherapy in peritoneal mesothelioma patients.

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Dr. Robert B. Cameron

UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dr. Robert B. Cameron developed a lung-sparing surgery for pleural mesothelioma that not only extends survival but offers greater quality of life by preserving the lung. Cameron’s surgery has a lower risk of complications and studies report longer survival times.

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Dr. J.F. Pingpank Jr.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Dr. J.F. Pingpank Jr. is a peritoneal mesothelioma expert who advocates for regional therapy. The approach applies treatment locally around the cancer to limit damage to the rest of the body. Pingpank specializes in cytoreductive surgery and heated chemotherapy.

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Dr. Anne Tsao

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. Anne Tsao is the director of the Mesothelioma Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She specializes in medical oncology for mesothelioma and serves as a team leader for a multidisciplinary team of mesothelioma experts.

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Dr. Raja Michael Flores

Mount Sinai Hospital

Dr. Raja Michael Flores is a professor and chairman of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Flores is a widely respected expert in pleural mesothelioma and is a recognized leader in the field of thoracic surgery for pioneering video-assisted surgical techniques for lung cancer and mesothelioma.

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Dr. Raphael Bueno

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Dr. Raphael Bueno is the Division of Thoracic Surgery chief at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and director of the renowned International Mesothelioma Program.

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Dr. Jacques Fontaine

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

Dr. Jacques Fontaine is the Director of the Mesothelioma Research and Treatment Center at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. He specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery including robotic surgery. Fontaine became a pleural mesothelioma specialist while studying under Dr. Sugarbaker at the International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham & Women’s Hospital.

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Dr. David Sugarbaker

Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. David Sugarbaker was regarded as the country’s foremost authority on pleural mesothelioma. He pioneered a surgery that significantly improved survival rates and revolutionized how the cancer is treated. He served as the director of several mesothelioma programs including the International Mesothelioma Program. He died Aug. 29, 2018.

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How to Choose the Best Mesothelioma Doctor For You

One of the most important concerns when choosing a doctor is finding one you can trust completely. You will want to evaluate the doctor’s expertise and decide if you trust their approach.

• Level of Experience: Find a doctor you can trust and communicate with clearly. Consider their experience with mesothelioma and credentials. It’s OK to ask how many mesothelioma cases they have seen and how many years they’ve been in practice. They should also be able to tell you what types of new treatment options are available.
• Physician Specialty: Make sure the doctor works in a multidisciplinary fashion, meaning the mesothelioma surgeon and mesothelioma medical oncologist work together as a team in the same hospital. The best mesothelioma doctor is one who has several years of experience with your type of mesothelioma, whether it’s pleural, peritoneal or otherwise.
• Physician Availability: Check with the physician’s office if they are accepting new patients and when you can schedule an appointment. Many doctors with limited office hours or long wait lists do not have the accessibility you may want in a new physician. Consider mapping the distance to the office ahead of time to estimate travel time.
• Clinical Research Trials: Evaluate the cancer center and the treatment options they offer. Ask if they offer mesothelioma clinical trials and what the enrollment process is like. You may want to compare available trials with other treatment centers.
• Cost of Services: Learn which mesothelioma doctors are covered by your insurance plan. Verify with the office that the doctor you will be seeing is accepting your specific insurance plan. You can also ask for documentation of the costs for services you will likely receive.

Many mesothelioma patients seek second opinions from other mesothelioma doctors to consider other treatment options and access different clinical trials.

Why It’s Important to Speak to a Mesothelioma Doctor

Treating mesothelioma is a delicate and time-sensitive process. The cancer tends to spread quickly.

Mesothelioma is rare. It may be misdiagnosed as other cancers or less serious conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment can have a significant effect on a patient’s prognosis and life expectancy.

The treatment of mesothelioma is complex, and sometimes, requires a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. It is important to see a mesothelioma expert who works as part of a multidisciplinary team, which usually includes a surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist, all of whom specialize in mesothelioma.

That familiarity helps doctors connect with the patient and form the best mesothelioma treatment plan possible.

It is also important to choose a doctor who specializes in your particular type of mesothelioma. A surgeon specializing in pleural mesothelioma cancer wouldn’t be the ideal choice for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.

Many mesothelioma survivors credit their specialists for their extended life expectancy. You may have access to top mesothelioma treatment in your state, while some patients might have to travel across state lines or long distances to continue treatments and checkups with their doctor.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MESOTHELIOMA SPECIALISTS

Pleural Vs. Peritoneal Doctors

Mesothelioma doctors become experts in one of the two most common forms of mesothelioma — pleural or peritoneal — because they require different types of treatment.

• Pleural surgeons: Specialize in thoracic surgery.
• Peritoneal surgeons: Specialize in gastrointestinal surgery.

What to Expect During the Initial Appointment

At your initial appointment you can expect the doctor or team of doctors to discuss your medical and work history, the details of your diagnosis and your treatment options.

Your doctor may go over test results with you, including showing you imaging scans of where tumors are located and explaining the pathology report.

You can expect a detailed discussion of your treatment options, including the benefits, risks and side effects of different therapies. There will be time for you to ask questions and decide upon a treatment plan with your doctor.

You don’t have to decide on anything that day, but you do want to begin treatment as soon as possible. Coming prepared to your first appointment will help you make the most of the time you have with your doctor.

What to Bring for the Appointment

• A detailed summary of your medical and work history, including any asbestos you may have been exposed to in the workplace.
• A hard copy of your medical records and a CD of your recent scans.
• A timeline describing your symptoms and when they developed.
• A list of medications you take, including prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines.
• A list of questions you have about your diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials and recovery.

Common Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Once you choose a mesothelioma doctor, you will likely still have plenty of questions that need answering. Every mesothelioma doctor is different. Each may have a unique way of relaying information or answering questions.

Don’t shy away from tough questions. Take a notepad or journal with you to help you remember and organize important dates, facts and other useful details.

One of the most common questions asked: Chance of survival. After a specialist knows the stage and type of mesothelioma you have, they will be able to provide your estimated mesothelioma prognosis and life expectancy. However, even a top mesothelioma doctor cannot predict your particular life expectancy. They can only estimate averages. Some patients beat the statistics and live longer than the average, while some may live less than the average.

This can lead to other important questions about your treatment options and the goal of treatment. However, not every patient feels this information will benefit them. It’s OK to decide to not ask about survival rates or your personal prognosis.

Questions to Ask at Your Doctor Appointment

• How long have you been treating mesothelioma?
• How many cases do you treat a year?
• What’s the longest survival you’ve seen among your mesothelioma patients?
• How do you prefer to be reached? By phone or email?
• Do you recommend any complementary therapies such as exercise or nutritional changes?

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma Doctors

Who are the top mesothelioma doctors?

Some of the top mesothelioma doctors in the U.S. include Dr. Robert B. Cameron, Dr. Abraham Lebenthal, Dr. W. Charles Conway and Dr. Paul H. Sugarbaker.

Is it important to see a mesothelioma doctor over a regular oncologist?

Yes, it is important to work with a specialized mesothelioma doctor rather than a general oncologist. Mesothelioma doctors have spent years specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of this rare cancer. They understand the intricacies of mesothelioma treatment and help patients live longer by using the right therapies at the right time.

How can a mesothelioma doctor help me?

A mesothelioma doctor can help you understand your diagnosis and guide you through the treatment process. Mesothelioma doctors spend years specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of this rare cancer, and they are considered the best resource to help you live longer with mesothelioma.

What is the importance of a second opinion from a mesothelioma doctor?

Seeking a second opinion from a mesothelioma doctor is important to understanding all of your options for treatment that could extend survival. Second opinions often lead to better treatment options or a chance at joining a clinical trial that’s testing an innovative new treatment.

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