Mesothelioma Specialists
A specialist who is regularly caring for mesothelioma patients is aware of what to look out for on imaging tests, bloodwork and other diagnostic tools. Mesothelioma specialists may also offer advanced treatments that improve prognoses.
When selecting a mesothelioma doctor take into consideration the hospital affiliation, experience and availability. Patients should feel comfortable and supported throughout each visit.
Raja Flores
Dr. Raja Flores is a highly regarded mesothelioma specialist known for his patient care and surgical skills. He is the head of thoracic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City.
Flores developed his expertise in treating mesothelioma and lung cancer during his residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He trained with the renowned mesothelioma specialist Dr. David Sugarbaker. He is knowledgeable about the treatment of mesothelioma pleural lung cancer, esophageal cancer and pleural mesothelio cancer.
He helped pioneer the lung-sparing pleurectomy/decortication surgery that has been successfully used as a curative procedure in scores of mesothelioma cases. He also played a key role in the creation of the video-assisted surgery thoracic (VATS) lobectomy which is now considered the best treatment for lung cancer. This minimally invasive procedure requires just three small incisions for the removal of diseased lung sections.
Sacramento mesothelioma attorneys published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters during his career treating mesothelioma. He has received numerous professional distinctions, including being named as a New York Top Doctor and America Top Doctor. He has also contributed to various clinical studies, including an investigation that looked into the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to treat mesothelioma.
A physical examination, blood tests, and imaging tests can all be used to determine mesothelioma. In many instances, patients don't experience symptoms until the disease has advanced to a stage of late. When this occurs patients may experience pain in the throat, abdomen, or chest as well as fatigue, coughing, and breathing problems. A doctor can drain excess fluid to test for the presence of cancer cells and determine whether a patient has the epitheliod mixed or sarcomatoid variant of mesothelioma.
Asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. Those who are exposed to asbestos during the construction, maintenance, and repair of power stations, ships, or factories are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma.
Multidisciplinary teams can provide the best treatment for mesothelioma. Patients should also consult radiation specialists and medical oncologists who specialize in treating mesothelioma. These doctors can create plans for treating the cancer through radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Patients with mesothelioma should also inquire from their doctors about the number of mesothelioma cancer cases they have dealt with.
Robert Cameron
Robert Cameron, a renowned mesothelioma expert graduated from UCLA's medical school around 30 years ago. He completed surgical residencies at Cornell University Medical Center and the National Cancer Institute before starting his mesothelioma-specific specialty. Patients with mesothelioma benefit from his expertise in lung-sparing surgeries and minimally invasive procedures such as thorascopic surgeries. Cameron is also a mesothelioma research scientist and has published more than 35 research papers about thoracic surgery and oncology.
He is the co-founder of Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and is the scientific advisor for the Pacific Mesothelioma Center. He is also the director of thoracic surgery at both the University of California Los Angeles and the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center mesothelioma treatment programs.
Dr. Cameron has helped thousands asbestos sufferers and is a leader in mesothelioma treatments. He is focused on improving the quality and accessibility of mesothelioma treatment for patients. He is also an active advocate for patients and their families throughout the course of treatment.
As a mesothelioma specialist, Cameron has extensive experience treating mesothelioma peritoneal and pleural. He is trained in a variety of surgical mesothelioma treatments including cytoreductive surgery, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and pleurectomy with decortication. He has also treated pericardial tumors that involves the surgical removal of tumors in the lining of heart and surrounding tissue.
When you are looking for a mesothelioma physician it is crucial to choose one with privileges at a cancer facility you trust. A top specialist will have the equipment, staff and clinical trials to ensure that you receive the treatment you require. It is also important to bring any relevant work history documents as well as scans of images to your appointment. You might also want to bring an individual from your family or a close acquaintance along for support and to help you remember important information at your appointment.
Radiation and immunotherapy are options for those who are not interested or not able to undergo surgery. Many mesothelioma specialists are skilled in coordinating these other treatment options that include surgery. The mesothelioma team at your chosen cancer center can assist you in making these decisions when you receive your mesothelioma diagnosis.
Raphael Bueno
Bueno is a specialist in the treatment of thoracic tumors including mesothelioma. He is currently working to improve the way mesothelioma and other lung cancers are cured and diagnosed, as well as treated. Bueno's work is helping doctors to understand mesothelioma on a molecular scale. This knowledge can make it easier to diagnose mesothelioma, and could lead to new treatment methods.
Raphael Bueno, Chief of Thoracic Surgery and vice-chair of Surgery for Cancer Research in Brigham and Women's Hospital is determined to maintain Brigham and Women's Hospital's standing as a leader in mesothelioma research and treatment. Bueno is director of the hospital's International Mesothelioma Program. He has a broad range of expertise in relation to mesothelioma treatment diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
While leadership, patient care, and teaching were all important aspects of his professional life however, his time at BWH has been mostly focused on research. He has developed tests that aid surgeons in identifying mesothelioma tumors during a biopsy, and is working on methods to make the procedure less invasive. He is also studying mesothelioma's gender-specific characteristics, and how tumors develop.
After graduating from Harvard Medical School, Bueno began his career as a surgical intern at BWH. He learned a lot about mesothelioma while working with Dr. David Sugarbaker. After his internship, he completed an cardiothoracic surgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. He returned to BWH and set up a private surgery practice and an experimental laboratory for mesothelioma.
One of his greatest accomplishments is the development of iVats, an instrument that allows surgeons to precisely locate mesothelioma tumors and remove them during an extrapleural pneumonectomy. This new technique is an improvement over the conventional method, which is often ineffective and removes more tissue than it is required. The new technique has also resulted in better outcomes for patients with mesothelioma.
Bueno is involved in a number of clinical trials that discover innovative ways to improve mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment. He is a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute member and holds appointments at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital and Carney Hospital. He is a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians.
Paul Sugarbaker
Paul Sugarbaker is a nationally acknowledged mesothelioma specialist who is known for his work in peritoneal mesothelioma and abdominal cancers. His innovative treatment of this rare cancer and expanding the scope of treatment helped increase the odds of survival. He invented, refined and then marketed the method of combining cancer surgery with heated chemotherapy to treat mesothelioma peritoneal. This innovative procedure is now referred to as the Sugarbaker Procedure. He continues to travel the world to teach young surgeons on this groundbreaking procedure.
A mesothelioma specialist has many years of experience in treating asbestos-related diseases. They are also conversant with the most current mesothelioma treatment options and clinical trials. Mesothelioma patients need to be prepared for their first meeting with mesothelioma specialists by bringing their medical records, a list with questions and a willingness to communicate.
There are many kinds of mesothelioma physicians and each one will have their own specialty. This includes thoracic surgeons, general surgeons, pulmonologists, radiation oncologists and pathologists. Each of these mesothelioma experts is a key player in the treatment of patients.
A thoracic surgeon is able to treat cancers and other issues within the chest cavity, including mesothelioma pleural. They can perform lung surgery to reduce the amount of tumors and improve breathing. They may also prescribe medications to treat symptoms or to increase the life expectancy.
A thoracic specialist can assist patients with the most challenging treatment options. They can also assist patients find mesothelioma support group and other sources.
Paul Sugarbaker received his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College in Illinois. He completed his surgical residency in Boston at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, an affiliated program of Harvard University. Then, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he worked for Emory University in Atlanta for two years before returning to Washington, D.C.
Paul Sugarbaker is an internationally recognized cancer surgeon and specialist. He has been named one of America’s Top Doctors, and he is a member of many professional organizations. He is most famous for his relentless pursuit of a cure for mesothelioma peritoneal, which led to the HIPEC procedure (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy) which has been proven to prolong the life of patients with this rare cancer.