If mesothelioma is diagnosed, the specialist will consider treatment options. These are often discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. Some people are diagnosed and treated in specialist centres in major cities around Australia. To find a specialist centre near you, ask your doctor or call Cancer Council 13 11 20.
To find cancer specialists, multidisciplinary teams and hospitals in NSW or ACT, you can also visit the NSW Government website CanRefer.
If you live in a rural or regional area, or find it difficult to travel far, your GP can provide care and discuss further options with an MDT from a specialist centre.
Health professionals you may see
| GP | assists you with treatment decisions and works in partnership with your specialists in providing ongoing care |
| respiratory (thoracic) physician* | diagnoses diseases of the lungs, including pleural mesothelioma, and recommends ways to treat symptoms |
| gastroenterologist* | diagnoses and treats disorders of the digestive system, including peritoneal mesothelioma |
| radiologist* | analyses x-rays and scans; an interventional radiologist may also perform a biopsy under ultrasound or CT, and deliver some treatments |
| pathologist* | examines cells and tissue samples to work out the type and extent of mesothelioma |
| thoracic (respiratory) surgeon* | conducts some biopsy procedures and performs surgery to prevent and treat symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, including radical surgery |
| surgical oncologist/ general surgeon* | performs surgery to prevent and treat symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma |
| medical oncologist* | treats cancer with drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy (systemic treatment) |
| radiation oncologist* | treats cancer by prescribing and overseeing a course of radiation therapy |
| palliative care specialist* | treats pain and other symptoms to maximise wellbeing and improve quality of life |
| palliative care team | work closely with the GP and oncologist to help control symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, nausea and anxiety, and maintain quality of life |
| nurse | administers drugs and provides care, support and information throughout treatment |
| cancer care coordinator | coordinates your care, liaises with other members of the MDT and supports you and your family throughout treatment; care may also be coordinated by a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) |
| community nurse | visits you at home to provide medical care and treatment, assesses your needs for supportive care, and liaises with your GP and MDT as required |
| dietitian | recommends an eating plan to follow while you are in treatment and recovery |
| physiotherapist, exercise physiologist, occupational therapist | assist with physical and practical problems, including restoring movement and mobility after treatment and recommending aids and equipment |
| social worker | links you to support services and helps you with emotional, practical and financial issues |
| psychologist | helps you manage your emotional response to diagnosis and treatment |
Listen to our podcasts on Making Treatment Decisions and Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
If mesothelioma is diagnosed, the specialist will consider treatment options. These are often discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. Some people are diagnosed and treated in specialist centres in major cities around Australia. To find a specialist centre near you, ask your doctor or call Cancer […]
Download 0B
More resources
A/Prof Brian McCaughan, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Theodora Ahilas, Principal Lawyer, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, NSW; Prof David Ball, Director, Lung Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Shirley Bare, Consumer; Cassandra Dickens, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Cancer Care Coordinator – Thoracic Malignancies, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, QLD; Penny Jacomos, Social Worker, Asbestos Diseases Society of South Australia, SA; A/Prof Thomas John, Medical Oncologist, Senior Clinical Research Fellow, Austin Health, and Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, VIC; Victoria Keena, Executive Officer, Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, NSW; Penny Lefeuvre, Consumer; Jocelyn McLean, Mesothelioma Support Coordinator, Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, NSW; Prof David Morris, Peritonectomy Surgeon, St George Hospital and University of New South Wales, NSW; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Western Australia; Prof Anna Nowak, Medical Oncologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, WA; Prof Jennifer Philip, Palliative Care Specialist, St Vincent’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; Nicole Taylor, Acting Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Cancer Specialist Nurse, The Canberra Hospital, ACT. We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title. Previous editions of this title and related resources were funded in part by the Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities and a donation from Lyall Watts.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
Need to talk?
Support services
Coping with cancer?
Speak to a qualified health professional someone who has been there, support groups & forum
Need legal and financial assistance?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment
Cancer information
Patient rights and responsibilities
What you can reasonably expect from your health care providers
Peritoneal mesothelioma
Learn about this type of mesothelioma, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and how to manage its symptoms