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Mesothelioma Specialists Offer Optimal Care

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

by Nancy Meredith
When diagnosed with mesothelioma, many patients are told by their doctors to get their affairs in order, say goodbye to their family members and friends, and prepare for their end-of-life. Unfortunately, with the grim prognosis of mesothelioma cancer – the average survival time is less than a year – doctors and patients believe this is their only choice.

Medical professionals that specialize in the treatment of mesothelioma patients, however, realize that with new research and a collaborative and multi-modal treatment approach patients have more options available to them. A physician who specializes in treating mesothelioma patients has first-hand experience in treatment and diagnosis, as well as information on clinical trials and current studies in the field.

Mesothelioma is a serious and rare cancer that occurs in individuals that have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many current treatments. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, but with new research and increased knowledge among the medical professionals, the survival time is increasing and many patients are living productive lives years beyond their initial prognosis.

Mesothelioma Specialists
Due to mesothelioma’s relative rarity among the general population, it is recommended that mesothelioma be treated by a team of doctors and surgeons led by a mesothelioma specialist rather than by one primary physician. Mesothelioma specialists are aware of the latest research and they are able to develop a more informed treatment plan than would a physician who does not specialize in the disease.

In many cases, the mesothelioma specialist will develop the protocol and will supervise its implementation, while the patient still meets with his or her personal doctor as well. Mesothelioma has a unique set of treatment requirements and specialists serve a key role in interpreting and defining the best approach for caring for the patient.

Spotlight on Two Specialists
One expert who is leading the way in mesothelioma treatment and research is Dr. David Sugarbaker, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and the Richard E. Wilson Professor of Surgical Oncology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Sugarbaker has dedicated a large amount of both clinical and laboratory research time to finding an approach to treating malignant pleural mesothelioma that will improve patients’ survival time. He has developed a trimodal therapy that has been found to improve the overall survival.

Dr. Robert Taub, Director of the Connective Tissue Oncology Program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, another mesothelioma expert, has dedicated a portion of his research and treatment to peritoneal mesothelioma. Although less than 15% of mesothelioma patients have mesothelioma of the abdomen, Dr. Taub wants to improve the survival rate through a new treatment regimen . Through the use of intracavitary chemotherapy Dr. Taub’s hope is that removal of the tumor is possible.

The Medical Team
Several types of physicians can be involved in the treatment of mesothelioma. Often physicians’ specialties will overlap and several doctors may be available to offer treatment and support in the same discipline. Types of doctors that may be included on a team are:

• Oncologists – medical professional specializing in cancer
• Thoracic surgeons – Thoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in the surgical treatment of diseases affecting the thorax or the chest including the lungs, chest wall, and diaphragm.
• Pulmonologists – Physicians specializing in the treatment of diseases of the lungs and the respiratory tract.
• Chemotherapy (oncology) Nurse – The RN or team of nurses responsible for patient assessment, chemotherapy administration and supportive care during the chemotherapy treatment.
• Radiation Therapist – The radiation therapist develops a treatment plan in conjunction with a radiation oncologist, explains the treatment plan to the patient, and administers the radiation.

In addition to the above specialists many other medical professionals will be supporting the patient’s needs such as nutritionists, pharmacists, and the primary care physician.

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Labels: Featured Story

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:44 AM
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