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Multidisciplinary Care for Mesothelioma
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Multidisciplinary care brings together doctors with various skills, such as surgeons and radiologists. They collaborate to help people with mesothelioma. They try to improve treatment, lower side effects, help you feel better and reduce time spent in the hospital.
Written by Dr. Daniel Landau | Medically Reviewed by Dr. Andrea Wolf | Edited by Amy Edel | Last Update: September 16, 2025
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What Is Multidisciplinary Care for Mesothelioma?
What Is Multidisciplinary Care for Mesothelioma?
Multidisciplinary care means a team of specialists works together to treat mesothelioma. They collaborate to design a personalized treatment plan for you. Doctors from various fields can provide this type of care when they meet regularly to discuss your individualized care.
These meetings help improve decision-making about the best plan for you. Experts in mesothelioma share their skills and work together to improve patient care. These experts work together to manage all stages of your care. This addresses diagnosis, treatment and your life after mesothelioma.
Key Facts About Multidisciplinary Care for Mesothelioma
- A multidisciplinary team is different from a general oncology team. It includes experts from many fields.
- A tailored treatment plan ensures your care aligns with your diagnosis, health needs and goals.
- BMJ research shows multidisciplinary team meetings helped find a precise diagnosis for 81% of patients. Among these, mesothelioma was identified in 73% of cases.
- With diverse specialists on a team, they can identify more clinical trial options that could be right for you.
“Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and its treatment is quite tricky and complex,”Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Jacques Fontaine tells us. “It sometimes requires surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.”
Dr. Fontaine adds, “It’s best we have mesothelioma specialists from various disciplines, so thoracic surgeons who specialize in mesothelioma treatments, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists who all work together under one roof as a team in order to see the patient as a team.”
Who Is on a Mesothelioma Multidisciplinary Team?
A typical mesothelioma multidisciplinary team includes a medical oncologist, a thoracic surgeon, a pulmonologist and a dietitian. Other mesothelioma doctors may also make up a multidisciplinary care team.
Experts You’ll Find on a Multidisciplinary Care Team
- Diagnostic radiologist: Reads imaging scans such as X-rays, CT scans and PET scans.
- Dietitian: Makes recommendations on a mesothelioma diet and nutrition.
- Gastroenterologist: Keeps an eye on gut health for people with peritoneal mesothelioma.
- Hematologist: Blood specialists check patients’ blood cell counts to ensure the immune system functions well.
- Medical oncologist: Oversees chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
- Nursing specialist: Nurse practitioners assist pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, oncologists and other doctors with more advanced care.
- Palliative care specialist: They assist in managing cancer symptoms and the effects of treatments.
- Pathologist: Examines biopsy samples with a microscope to confirm mesothelioma.
- Pulmonologist: Manages breathing and lung function.
- Radiation oncologist: Administers radiation therapy.
Dr. Andrea Wolf, director of the New York Mesothelioma Program at Mount Sinai, tells us multidisciplinary care is key for mesothelioma patients. She explains, “Multidisciplinary care is very important for unique and challenging diseases.”
Dr. Wolf adds, “Mesothelioma is a rare and challenging disease, but we’re not treating the disease. We’re treating the patient. And having a multidisciplinary team that’s experienced and has expertise in a rare disease makes all the difference in the world for taking care of that patient and their family.”
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Find My DoctorWhere Can I Find Multidisciplinary Care for Mesothelioma?
To find a center for multidisciplinary care, look for comprehensive cancer centers or hospitals with strong programs. While many top mesothelioma treatment centers offer this approach, it’s not available at every hospital or cancer center.
Our Patient Advocates can help connect you with your nearest cancer center that provides multidisciplinary care. If there isn’t one near you, they’ll help you navigate your options.
How Does Multidisciplinary Mesothelioma Care Work?
Each multidisciplinary mesothelioma care team member works together, sharing their skills to ensure no aspect of your care is missed. They can find the latest treatments and quickly update care plans if your condition changes. This strategy leads to shorter stays in the hospital, fewer complications, and improved results.
It can also help improve your quality of life. You’ll have support from social workers, nutritionists and advocates. Multidisciplinary care looks at both your physical and emotional needs. It may also involve clinical trials and access to specialized centers.
Specialists will meet regularly to talk about your case. They’ll review test results and choose the best treatment plan tailored for you. Multidisciplinary meetings are usually held once a week for 30 minutes to an hour. Your mesothelioma treatment plan will be modified as needed to optimize your care.
What Are the Benefits of Multidisciplinary Care?
What Are the Benefits of Multidisciplinary Care?
Multidisciplinary care for mesothelioma offers important benefits like a better quality of life, higher patient satisfaction and fewer negative side effects. A 2022 study from Kaiser Permanente found that pleural mesothelioma patients treated by multidisciplinary teams lived longer and managed their illness better. Similarly, a 2021 clinical review in Oncology Practice reported that using several different treatments to manage symptoms leads to better outcomes and well-being.
Patients who received multidisciplinary therapy lived around 12 months longer compared to those who chose hospice care. A team of specialists met each week as a tumor board to review patient cases. Working together in this way ensured care that was both well-organized and tailored to each patient.
Challenges of Multidisciplinary Care
Challenges of Multidisciplinary Care
While multidisciplinary care offers many benefits for mesothelioma patients, communication in large teams can sometimes be difficult. With so many specialists involved, treatment planning gets more complex. This complexity can make it hard to organize regular meetings or reach an agreement on the best approach.
Consulting a Patient Advocate can help answer your questions and guide you through these challenges, including finding a facility with a full multidisciplinary team. Many patients live far from top treatment centers, and travel can be costly, time-consuming and tiring.
Insurance may also be a concern, since some specialists or treatments might be out of network. Patient Advocates are available to help patients navigate these issues.
Common Questions About Multidisciplinary Care for Mesothelioma
- Can I request a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist at a different cancer center?
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Yes, you can request a second opinion about your diagnosis or treatment options from a mesothelioma specialist at a different cancer facility. Mesothelioma is rare, so many doctors and oncologists may not have experience treating it.
- Does insurance or Medicare cover multidisciplinary care?
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Yes, private insurance and Medicare often cover multidisciplinary care for mesothelioma. Most employer health insurance plans cover most standard mesothelioma treatment costs.
Medicare is a federal health program for people over 65 or with specific disabilities. It includes key services such as inpatient hospital care, outpatient visits and specialist consultations. This care usually involves a team of various healthcare professionals.
- Can a multidisciplinary team help me access clinical trials for mesothelioma?
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Yes, a multidisciplinary team can help you access clinical trials for mesothelioma. Since the team collaborates closely across specialties, they can identify appropriate trials based on your specific diagnosis, stage of disease and overall health. Clinical trial opportunities are also typically discussed during multidisciplinary meetings.
- Who is eligible to receive multidisciplinary care?
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Most people with mesothelioma can get multidisciplinary care. Many leading cancer centers assign mesothelioma patients a team of specialists.
