Increase text size: A A A

Type in the condition you need,
or visit Advanced Search

Print this page

Email this to a friend

Comment on this page

Save to my Health Library

Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Your Lung Disorders Medical Team

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Lung Disorders | Your Lung Disorders Medical Team

Johns Hopkins professor Dr. Peter B. Terry talks about the team of doctors who will treat you if you have a serious lung disorder, such as lung cancer.

If you have a serious lung disorder, you may see several specialists during the course of your treatment. "My patients often ask why they are seeing so many doctors,” says Peter B. Terry, M.D., author of the Johns Hopkins Lung Disorders White Paper. "A person with lung cancer, for example, may start with their internist, be referred to a pulmonologist, then to an oncologist, thoracic surgeon, radiologist, and pathologist. These specialists all have important and distinct roles in the individual’s care.”

The following is a quick guide to specialists whom you may encounter if you have a lung disorder.

  • Internist -- Internists often serve as primary care doctors, performing regular checkups and treating routine illnesses. If you have a lung disorder, your internist may refer you to a specialist such as a pulmonologist or allergist/immunologist for specialized care.
  • Pulmonologist -- These are specialists who are trained in diseases and conditions of the lungs and airways, such as pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, tuberculosis, or complicated chest infections.
  • Allergist|Immunologist -- These types of doctors specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the human immune system, including asthma; rhinitis (inflammation in the lining of the nose); eczema (skin inflammation); and adverse reactions to drugs, foods, and insect stings.
  • Medical Oncologist -- Oncologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of lung and all types of cancers and tumors. They can order and administer chemotherapy for treating malignant cancers and consult with surgeons and radiologists on other cancer treatments.
  • Thoracic Surgeon -- These doctors provide surgical care of the lungs, coronary arteries, esophagus, and chest wall. They can treat abnormalities of the trachea, the great vessels, and the heart valves, as well as diseases of the diaphragm.
  • Radiologist -- These specialists use techniques such as x-rays, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scan, nuclear medicine, and image-guided interventional procedures to visualize the body and its organs, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
  • Pathologist -- Pathology is a medical specialty focused on making a definitive diagnosis of various diseases, including cancer. Pathologists identify diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope and writing a report detailing the diagnosis, which helps the treating physician decide on a course of action.

For more Alerts and Special Reports, please visit the Lung Disorders Topic page.

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Lung Disorders | Your Lung Disorders Medical Team

Posted in Lung Disorders on April 19, 2007
Reviewed March 2010

Notify Me

Would you like us to inform you when we post new Lung Disorders Health Alerts?

Your email address:

Comments

Post a Comment

Health Alerts registered users may post comments and share experiences here at their own discretion. We regret that questions on individual health concerns to the Johns Hopkins editors cannot be answered in this space.

The views expressed here do not constitute medical advice, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or MediZine LLC, which has no responsibility for any comments posted on this site.




Post a Comment


Already a subscriber?
Login

Email:

Password:


Forgot your password?

New to Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
Register to submit your comments.

Your Email Address:

(example: yourname@domain.com)

 

(800) 829-0422

Registered Users Log-in:

Email:

Password:

Remember me
Forgot Password?

Become a Registered User!
It's fast and FREE!
The Benefits of Being A Registered User

Health Topic Pages

Arthritis
Back Pain & Osteoporosis
Cancer
Caregivers | Caregiving
Colon Cancer
Complementary Medicine
Depression & Anxiety
Diabetes
Digestive Health
Enlarged Prostate
Exercise and Fitness
Healthy Living
Heart Health
Hypertension & Stroke
Lung Disorders
Memory
Men's Health
Nutrition
Prescription Drugs
Prostate Disorders
Sexual Health
Vision
Weight Control
Women's Health
Health Alert Special Report


Johns Hopkins’ Bestsellers

Lung Disorders

Our Featured Title:

Johns Hopkins Lung Disorders White Paper 2010

  • 2010 Lung Disorders White Paper
    This comprehensive report provides the latest research on the prevention and treatment of the most common lung diseases, including: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, bronchitis, and pneumonia. 88 pages.
    Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION
    Read more or order the PRINT EDITION

  • Related Titles:

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50
    When you're over 50, it's more important than ever to have access to reliable health information. You won't find a more authoritative source than The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50. Since 1988, we've been publishing accurate, timely advice from our specialists on the disorders that most commonly affect the over 50s population. If you're approaching this milestone in your llife, don't miss this opportunity to take charge of your health. Read more, request a trial issue, or order now and get two FREE Special Reports...


    Reference Books

    Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health after 50

  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50
    A comprehensive home medical encyclopedia that gives you a “crash course” on more than 100 major medical concerns of men and women over 50! Organized in an easy-to-use A to Z format, the Medical Guide provides in-depth explanations of the many chronic health problems associated with aging – high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, dementia, memory loss, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gallstones, to name but a few.Read more or order...

    Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies

  • Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies
    This easy-to-use reference book can help you pinpoint the causes of hundreds of disorders, from abdominal pain to skin rash to swollen glands. The book is divided into two distinct sections: symptoms, which includes charts covering a wide range of common symptoms and possible diagnoses, and disorders, which discusses the disorder, its causes, prevention advice, treatment strategies, and other crucial information so you will be able to either treat yourself at home, or know when it's time to call a doctor. Read more or order...



  • ALL NEW!Number One of America's Best Hospitals 2009: Johns Hopkins

    The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been ranked #1 again in the Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals by
    U.S. News and World Report for the 19th consecutive year.


    Please visit here for more information about Johns Hopkins Patient Services


    © 2010 MediZine LLC. All rights reserved.
    Contact Us
    customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com