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e-Toolkit

Asbestos-related disease

A note from our CEO
Section I: Taking action to eliminate asbestos-related diseases
Actions leading to national bans on asbestos
Towards a global ban on asbestos
International bilateral & multilateral mechanisms
History of Mining, consumption production and use of asbestos
Transitioning to alternative non-asbestos materials
Proactive removal of ageing legacy asbestos materials
Section II: Country summaries, case studies and resources
Country summaries
Case studies
Research on ARDs
Section III: What asbestos is and the risks it poses
What asbestos is and how to identify it
Exposure pathways
Asbestos removal, management and disposal
Asbestos in fibres in drinking water
Public health risks from asbestos cement products
Section IV: Health impacts of exposure to asbestos
What are asbestos-related diseases
How are asbestos-related diseases diagnosed?
Can ARDs be treated?
Patient support, care and information
Reporting, coding and registration of ARDs

The use of Multidisciplinary Teams in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma

In Australia likely representing a more favourable than most developing countries, a cancer patient will have access to specialty clinicians working within a specialist multidisciplinary team or MDT. MDTs are usually disease specific, but mesothelioma commonly fits in to a Lung Cancer MDT.

Key members of a Lung Cancer MDT

  • Experienced radiologists providing high grade imaging that includes X-Ray, CT Scanning and PET scanning where some are highly trained interventional radiologists.
  • Respiratory consultants performing initial assessments, referrals and some are trained in interventional techniques.
  • Complementing respiratory and radiology are experienced pathologists providing complex cytology, histopathology and immunohistochemistry services leading to an initial diagnosis and then where appropriate ongoing molecular information to inform treatment planning and management.
  • Cardiothoracic surgeons experienced in video assisted surgery and open radical surgery are valuable MDT members but are not always accessible in all areas.
  • Experienced medical and radiation oncologists are pivotal to the MDT to provide evidence-based knowledge and treatment.
  • The patient and family must be supported by an integrative and supportive services that combines palliative care with integrative and complimentary services to minimise symptoms of the disease and treatment and ultimately ensures the patient and their family are prepared as well as possible for an early death.

Integral members of the MDT are inpatient and outpatient nurses in oncology and surgery, along with expert care provided by allied health professionals such as the dietitian, occupational therapist, clinical psychologist, social worker, and exercise physiologist. These members all contribute to the overall wellbeing of the patient by assisting patients to prepare for treatment and manage side effects, whilst aiming to maintain optimal nutrition, physical functionality, personal safety and understand fluctuations in their emotional state.

Access to telehealth technologies for communication and consultations between patients and their treating consultants, nurses and allied health members is beneficial when patients are receiving treatment and care from experienced centres far from home. The aim of all MDT members is to reduce the symptom burden of the disease to enable the patient to live as well as, and as long as possible, with the disease and through treatment.

A lung cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) should consist of:

  • Respiratory Specialists: General, interventional, and EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound)
  • Radiologists: CT Imaging, PET imaging, Interventional care (for drainage and tissue biopsy)
  • Anatomical Pathologist
  • Medical Oncologist
  • Radiation Oncologist
  • Cardiothoracic Surgeon
  • Supportive and Integrative Care / Palliative Care Specialist
  • Specialist Nurse
  • Reporting to: Local General Practitioner
  • Referral access to: Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist, Occupational Therapist, and Clinical Psychologist or Social Worker

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