Charleston, South Carolina, is well-known for its contributions to cancer research and treatment, as it's the site of the Hollings Cancer Center (HCC)at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Originally a small private facility dating back to 1824, the Center was honored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a "designated cancer center" when it opened in 1993.

South Carolina's largest academic cancer center now includes a 700-bed medical center and six separate colleges that train an estimated 2,600 health care professionals each year. And more than 150 experts are hard at work on cancer treatment, research, education, prevention and control, as the hospital shares partnerships with many state-wide medical institutions, care providers, research entities and advocacy organizations.
In 2010 alone there were more than 80,000 outpatient visits, and $33 million in cancer research extramural funding was given.

Thoracic Oncology Program

The Thoracic Oncology Program includes a team of renowned cancer experts, including physicians, surgeons, nurses, researchers and healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat a number of diseases, including mesothelioma; lung, esophageal and tracheal cancers; tumors of the mediastinum; and thymomas.

Notable doctors in the department are Carolyn E. Reed, M.D., the head of the Section of Thoracic Surgery; and John DeRosimo, M.D., head of the Mesothelioma Program within the Thoracic Oncology Program.

Utilizing the hospital's multidisciplinary approach, patients can consult with specialists and undergo all diagnostic procedures in one appointment and setting. Among the treatment options provided by the Thoracic Cancer Program are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and combination treatments, as well as such advanced therapies as:

Radiation oncology treatments, including more accurate PET-CT scan fusions; 3D radiation therapy; and tomotherapy, which combines CT scans and radiation
Minimally invasive thoracic surgical procedures, including video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS); and laser bronchoscopy, in which a flexible tube with a laser destroys cancer cells in the airways
Brachytherapy, involving radioactive seeds that target tumors while sparing healthy tissue

Research & Clinical Trials

Today, MUSC is as one of the nation's top academic health science centers. The hospital's physicians and scientists include more than 100 faculty researchers representing 23 departments in multiple colleges and five NCI-approved research programs.

Lipid Signaling in Cancer
Cancer Genes & Molecular Regulation
Developmental Cancer Therapeutics

Cancer Immunology
Cancer Prevention & Control

As cancer research is a vital, continuous need, especially for mesothelioma, investigators engage in basic, clinical and population-based research as part of the center's multidisciplinary team approach. These HCC professionals participate in clinical trials and research protocols, some of which are specific to mesothelioma patients.

For help finding doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma, try the Doctor Match Program. This free service can help pair you with the best doctor to treat your disease.

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