Complementary and alternative treatments for mesothelioma are sometimes used in combination with or instead of standard care. Common options include acupuncture, medical marijuana, yoga, meditation, herbal medicine and energy therapy. Talk to your oncologist before trying these treatments.
Learn more about alternative and complementary treatments that fight this disease.
Karen Selby, RN: What Do You Tell Patients About Alternative Treatments?
I do encourage patients and caregivers to look into complementary and alternative therapies when dealing with a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Here at the Advocacy Center, we provide them resources to get connected with experts in that field. We provide websites, and facilitate them getting connected with ones that can help answer the questions that they're looking for specifically.
I have had patients give good feedback on implementing alternative and complementary treatment along with conventional treatment that they're doing to help with symptoms that they're dealing with.
Karen Selby, RN: What Do You Tell Patients About Alternative Treatments?
I do encourage patients and caregivers to look into complementary and alternative therapies when dealing with a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Here at the Advocacy Center, we provide them resources to get connected with experts in that field. We provide websites, and facilitate them getting connected with ones that can help answer the questions that they're looking for specifically.
I have had patients give good feedback on implementing alternative and complementary treatment along with conventional treatment that they're doing to help with symptoms that they're dealing with.
Integrative Medicine vs. Alternative Medicine for Mesothelioma
Complementary medicine is sometimes used in combination with standard mesothelioma treatment, while alternative medicine is used in lieu of normal treatment methods. Doctors usually support the complementary approach and caution against replacing proven care.
Integrative medicine for mesothelioma combines complementary therapies with standard medicine such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery. Many people with mesothelioma use complementary medicine in addition to standard treatments.
Patients with mesothelioma may use the same therapies in alternative and complementary medicine. However, their intentions and approaches differ. Alternative medicine replaces standard mesothelioma therapies.
Integrative and alternative medicine may help some mesothelioma patients, but researchers haven’t proven their efficacy as mesothelioma treatments. If you want to try complementary medicine, speak with your doctor first because some therapies may conflict with standard methods or drugs. For example, high-dose vitamin E and fish oil supplements may increase bleeding risk during surgery. St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. If patients take antioxidant supplements during radiation therapy, these supplements may interfere with treatment. Always provide your oncologist with a complete list of supplements, herbs and complementary therapies you use or plan to use.
Medical marijuana is the most frequently used alternative treatment among mesothelioma patients.
Do Alternative Treatments Work for Mesothelioma?
Researchers haven’t proven that alternative and complementary therapies cure mesothelioma or extend survival on their own. The value of these therapies is symptom relief and quality of life. By easing side effects like nausea, pain and fatigue, they can help patients complete their standard treatment, which supports better outcomes.
Research on individual therapies varies. Some options, like acupuncture and gentle exercise, have supportive evidence for easing specific symptoms. Others, like many herbal remedies, have limited or inconclusive evidence in people with mesothelioma. This is why these therapies work best as an addition to standard treatment, not a substitute for it.
Every patient responds differently. What helps one person manage symptoms may not help another. A doctor or Patient Advocate can help you figure out which options are worth discussing with your doctor based on your symptoms and treatment plan.
Insight From a Mesothelioma Specialist
“I have had patients give good feedback on implementing alternative and complementary treatment along with conventional treatment that they’re doing to help with symptoms that they’re dealing with.”
Karen Selby, RN, Patient Advocate, The Mesothelioma Center
Types of Complementary Treatments and Alternative Therapies for Mesothelioma
Common complementary and alternative treatments for mesothelioma include acupuncture, medical marijuana, exercise, yoga, meditation, herbal medicine, nutrition support and energy therapies. Consult your health care provider before you start any new therapy for your symptoms.
Some therapies, like acupuncture and medical marijuana, can help manage treatment side effects. Mind-body techniques, like yoga and meditation, may lessen stress and negative emotions. Nutrition and exercise can boost your quality of life.
Survivor Story
Kim Madril: What alternative therapies helped compliment your mesothelioma treatment?
Some of the home treatments was this sort of cupping thing, which is really uncomfortable.
And there’s some, like, ancient, anecdotes that it does help this whole cupping thing, percussion and cupping. I mean, you know, there’s sort of holistic component to it and also medical. And so that was part of his protocol. Is I had to do this cupping thing. Somebody had to sort of pound my back. It was horrible. Then I had to, lean over a table and do sort of deep breathing.
I hated that.
But it was to expand my lung. There was some value to it. Now the physician was Kim. This is why you do the cupping so that you don’t develop too many secretions. You gotta get it out, not to be disgusting, but you’ve gotta, like, you know, cough it up, expectorate the phlegm.
And then you have to stretch out your lung. And that’s the purpose of this whole stretching thing. And then you’ve gotta walk. Because you wanna you you don’t wanna develop, like, a, you know, like a blood clot. You wanna keep your body active. So I did all that.
CBD and Medical Marijuana
Many people with mesothelioma use medical marijuana and CBD to ease nausea, pain and stress. Patients can smoke the dried leaves, apply topicals to their skin, eat edibles and take capsules.
The Mesothelioma Center’s 2025 survey found 21% of patients under 50 used medical marijuana and 7% of patients over 81 used CBD oil. This survey included 215 mesothelioma patients and caregivers, each of whom either received a mesothelioma diagnosis or had a loved one who received a diagnosis.
If you’re considering using cannabis, talk to your doctor. Medical marijuana isn’t legal in all states, and federal law prohibits its use.
Cupping
Some mesothelioma patients have used cupping therapy to stimulate blood flow. A practitioner heats the cup and then places it upside down on the patient’s skin. As the trapped air cools, the cup creates a vacuum, pulling up the skin. Cupping is an ancient therapy that may treat a variety of symptoms, such as inflammation, pain and stress.
Some cancer patients report relief from symptoms with cupping. Pleural survivor Kevin Hession has used cupping for pain after his chest surgery. But evidence for cupping is scarce. It may be a useful treatment for lower back pain. Patients should discuss with their doctor if they want to use it for lung injury and respiratory diseases.
Survivor Story
Kevin Hession: The Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments I Have Taken
This is our journey.
If you have mesothelioma, this is your journey.
You decide what your treatment is going to look like.
There’s a treatment I haven’t discussed at this point in time yet that I think is worthy of discussing at least to some degree. Now, it’s a little bit controversial.
I will open up this by saying if you like this as an idea, that’s an approach you need to consult with your healthcare provider. But I take acupuncture.
I go to a acupuncture called Doctor China in Jacksonville, Florida.
And he does a couple of things to me, but he was up upfront with me from the very beginning. He basically said, I cannot cure you if you’re mesothelioma.
What I can do is help you with some of the effects of some of the treatment that you’re receiving.
So, he does something called fire cupping which I would say doesn’t hurt but is uncomfortable when you’re going through it. And I’ve been going through it every Friday for the last four years. And what fire cupping does is it it puts pressure on your back and it allows for toxins in your body to be released and be eliminated from the body.
Why is this important? If you’re taking chemo, you have a certain amount of toxicity going through your body right now.
I am.
This helps alleviate some of the toxicity in my body.
Now, there’s risk associated with this and the risk that I understand it to be is that it does accelerate things going in your lymphatic system.
That’s where talking to a health professional, would come into play.
But I’m living evidence.
I’ve had thirteen CAT scans, no evidence of the disease. I’ve been able to tolerate all of my, chemo sessions.
Now I do have one, one net effect that I I haven’t really talked about yet either. And one of the things that help helps me with my chemo is a steroid.
On a scale of one to ten, the worst case of nauseousness I’ve ever had, on a scale of one to ten with ten being horrible and one being just enough to register had about I had one case where it was a three.
I owe that to the, the steroid that I’ve been receiving. Now over time, I guess that builds up something that’s also something you’re introducing to your body that your body probably doesn’t like. So I now have what’s called steroid flush.
And usually a day or two after I have had my infusion, my face will turn bright red. Yes, it has and they’ve reduced the dosage that I’ve been receiving so it’s not quite as traumatic as it was when it first started surfacing.
But the bottom line is it allows me to tolerate the chemo that I’ve been receiving. And by receiving the chemo, that’s allowed me to live.
So that’s an important thing. So when you’re looking at your treatment, sometimes talking to your healthcare professional about other types of treatment whether it be what’s normal kind of treatment like, steroid, or something that might be different than treatment that you might receive otherwise like acupuncture.
Sometimes they might be answers that might be part of your journey.
Exercise
Most oncologists recommend gentle exercise to mesothelioma patients. Light exercise can ease side effects, reduce fatigue and improve mood. It can also boost quality of life. Adding exercise to a patient’s treatment plan may lower the risk of recurrence and support survival.
Exercise improves cardiovascular fitness in mesothelioma patients, which helps them cope with treatment. It also improves sleep and helps people recover better.
Dr. Diana Molinares, director of oncology rehab at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, recommends frequent light exercise. It can help build a routine and fight fatigue.
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Herbal medicines and dietary supplements, like vitamins and minerals, are another type of complementary medicine for mesothelioma patients. Sellers of herbs and supplements claim to boost wellness, but the FDA doesn’t regulate these products.
Common Herbs and Dietary Supplements for Mesothelioma
Mistletoe extract: Widely used in European integrative oncology. Derived from the Viscum album plant, mistletoe extract is typically administered by injection. Some studies suggest it may improve quality of life and reduce chemotherapy side effects, but evidence for direct anti-cancer effects remains inconclusive.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): A centuries-old medical system that uses herbal remedies, acupuncture, qigong and dietary therapy to restore balance in the body. Many cancer treatment plans incorporate common TCM herbs like astragalus, ginseng and reishi mushroom. TCM doesn’t cure mesothelioma, but some patients find it helps manage symptoms and improve well-being when doctors supervise its use.
Turmeric: Contains curcumin, a compound that researchers have studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some studies suggest curcumin may inhibit cancer cell growth, but human clinical trials for mesothelioma are limited. Patients should consult their oncologist since turmeric may interact with blood thinners and certain chemotherapy drugs.
Wormwood: The source of the compound artemisinin, this is another herb some cancer patients ask about. Laboratory research has evaluated artemisinin’s effect on cancer cells, but there’s no clinical evidence it treats mesothelioma. It can interact with other drugs, so talk to your oncologist before trying it.
People with mesothelioma should be cautious with herbal medicines and supplements. These substances don’t have to pass the same safety tests as prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Beta-Glucans
Beta-glucans are sugar compounds that might support the immune system of people with mesothelioma in fighting infection and disease. These compounds don’t attack cancer directly, but they may indirectly stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells.
The small intestine first absorbs beta-glucans and breaks them into smaller parts. Then the beta-glucans enter the bloodstream and interact with bone marrow and the immune system.
Supplements containing beta-glucan may benefit mesothelioma patients, supporting the immune system through improved gut health. A 2023 laboratory and animal study found that beta-glucan reduced inflammation and promoted cancer cell death in colon cancer cells and mouse models. However, researchers haven’t confirmed this in human patients.
Taking a beta-glucan supplement poses a risk of side effects, including changes to blood pressure and gastrointestinal distress. Talk to your doctor before taking these supplements.
Mental health therapy is vital for people with mesothelioma. It helps them cope with the mental, emotional and social challenges of their diagnosis. It’s as important as treating their physical symptoms. More cancer centers now offer counseling and support groups for patients and their families.
Mental Health Therapy for Mesothelioma
Mental health counseling: Counselors can help patients cope with their diagnosis and treatment. They help patients process their emotions. Many cancer centers offer free counseling to patients.
Pet therapy: Spending time with a dog or cat can comfort and boost a patient’s mood. Many treatment centers now offer pet therapy to patients.
Support groups: Talking with others who share similar struggles can help a patient feel understood. This type of support and compassion is invaluable to those with mesothelioma.
Mental health support is an integral part of the treatment of any disease. It’s often seen as a complementary therapy. Mesothelioma patients who use mental health therapy cope better with illness.
Mind-body therapies may help reduce symptoms in mesothelioma patients. These methods encourage the mind to stay present and aware of the body’s functions. They can promote relaxation, reduce stress and improve health.
These therapies can include:
Meditation: This method asks people to be mindful and focus on their breath or something constant. Meditation can help with sleep, mood and fatigue.
Qigong and tai chi: These practices mix slow movements with mindful breathing. They’re gentle and effective for fatigue, inflammation and mental health.
Yoga: Practicing yoga can help mesothelioma patients by improving breathing, sleep and mental health. Gentle styles like hatha and yin are best for beginners.
Not every mind-body therapy suits cancer patients. Mesothelioma patients should always consult their doctor. Patients need safe, gentle therapies that support the body and mind without adding strain.
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Nutrition Tips and Recipes for Mesothelioma
Access expert diet and exercise guidance designed specifically for mesothelioma patients to support treatment and overall wellness.
Proper, balanced nutrition is vital before, during and after mesothelioma cancer treatment. A mesothelioma diet can help with nausea and trouble swallowing. Some cancer centers have dietitians to help mesothelioma patients. They can create personalized meal plans.
More oncology teams are stressing good nutrition for mesothelioma. It’s a key complementary therapy. Patients can change their diet to reduce inflammation, which may improve outcomes.
Eating well is crucial to feeling physically and mentally better. Good nutrition helps you to get through your treatments in the best way possible and helps the body heal.
Natural pain relief options for mesothelioma include acupuncture, energy therapies, TENS therapy and therapeutic massage. These complement, not replace, the pain management your care team provides.
Other Complementary Therapies
Acupuncture and acupressure: Acupuncture uses thin needles to stimulate points on the body. It helps relieve pain, stress and other symptoms. Acupressure is a therapy that uses finger pressure on points instead of needles.
Energy therapies: Energy therapies use “life force energy” to help heal a person. Energy therapies include Reiki, music therapy, sound therapy and therapeutic touch.
TENS therapy: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses low-voltage electricity to relieve pain. Patients can do it at home. About 70% of patients who use TENS therapy report reduced pain.
Therapeutic and lymphatic massage: Massage isn’t just relaxing. It can also stimulate lymph drainage to relieve fluid buildup. Other types of massage can reduce pain, fatigue and stress. Only use techniques that specialists have approved for cancer patients.
Palliative care is a medical specialty that eases symptoms, manages pain and improves quality of life for people with serious illnesses like mesothelioma. Unlike hospice care, it can begin at diagnosis and continue in conjunction with curative treatments.
Research on early palliative care shows mixed results. It has improved quality of life and even survival in some cancers, like lung cancer. However, a dedicated mesothelioma trial didn’t find the same benefit.
Palliative care teams often include doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains. Some people think palliative care is only for end-stage patients, but starting it sooner can still help manage symptoms.
As with all complementary and alternative medicines, consult your doctor before using them. Some people may tout a certain supplement, but your doctor is the only person whose medical and health advice you should follow.
Other Mesothelioma Complementary Medicine
Therapy
Tier
Symptom benefit
Evidence level
Safety and interactions
Acupuncture and acupressure
Safe to combine
Nausea, pain, stress
Supportive
Use a licensed practitioner
Essiac tea
Avoid
Promoted as a cure
No supporting evidence; possible harm
Interacts with some chemotherapy drugs; a cardiac case report exists
Qigong and tai chi
Safe to combine
Fatigue, mental health
Limited to supportive
Gentle; safe for most patients
Therapeutic and lymphatic massage
Use with caution
Pain, fatigue, fluid buildup
Limited
Use cancer-approved techniques only
Yoga (hatha or yin)
Safe to combine
Breathing, sleep, mental health
Supportive
Keep it gentle; avoid strain
The Dangers of Essiac Tea for Cancer Patients
Essiac tea is a herbal blend promoted as a cancer cure. No clinical evidence supports it as a treatment for mesothelioma, and it can cause serious side effects.
Essiac blends four herbs, including burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm bark and Indian rhubarb root. It is usually consumed as tea and promoted as a cancer cure. The name “Essiac” is “Caisse” spelled backward, after Canadian nurse Rene Caisse, who claimed to have received the formula from an Ojibwa healer in the 1920s. Despite decades of use, no clinical evidence supports Essiac as a cancer treatment for mesothelioma or any other cancer. Clinical studies show Essiac doesn’t cure cancer. It may even promote the growth of certain cancers.
In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cited a brand of Essiac tea on a list of fake cancer cures that consumers should avoid. While consumption of Essiac for cancer isn’t highly likely to cause serious side effects, people with mesothelioma should get approval from their doctor before they try any herbal remedy.
Essiac tea side effects include skin problems, heart problems, nausea and vomiting. In 2022, authors in Heart Rhythm reported a patient who drank a homemade version of Essiac tea and then experienced a complete heart block. The patient required a pacemaker to fix the block.
Integrative Oncology Programs at Mesothelioma Cancer Centers
Some mesothelioma cancer centers offer integrative oncology programs that include complementary therapies. These programs aim to treat the whole person, not just the disease. To find alternative or integrative cancer care near you, ask your mesothelioma specialist for a referral or look for a cancer center with an integrative oncology program.
Working with your doctor to find the right program for you is best. Find out what therapies may help your symptoms and support your treatment.
Can Integrative Medicine Improve Mesothelioma Survival?
Integrative oncology doesn’t promise a cure for mesothelioma. It also may not always lead to better survival rates. The goal of complementary therapies is to increase comfort and improve quality of life. These therapies can also help people tolerate conventional mesothelioma treatments.
For example, people dealing with side effects from chemo, like nausea and vomiting, may find relief through complementary therapies. When people are better able to complete their full chemo regimen, it can have a positive effect on survival.
It’s important to follow your mesothelioma doctor’s treatment plan, even if complementary therapies give some relief. Skipping standard treatments can be harmful and may lower survival chances.
Mesothelioma Survivors Who Used Integrative or Alternative Treatments
Many people with mesothelioma choose to add complementary therapies to their conventional treatment plans. In the past, some people turned to alternative treatments because of limited effective options. Since alternative therapies don’t work consistently for everyone, most people prefer to combine complementary therapies with standard treatments like chemo and surgery.
Jim Huff
Pleural mesothelioma survivor
In 2016, doctors diagnosed Jim Huff with pleural mesothelioma. He didn’t want to endure the harsh side effects of chemotherapy. Instead, he used medical marijuana, taking a dose of CBD oil twice a day. For 15 months, his CT scans showed no new tumor growth. When his cancer progressed, Huff found success with Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug. “Something is working, a combination or whatever,” Jim said. “I’m just riding this wave as long as I can.”
Jerry Lampe
Peritoneal mesothelioma survivor
In 1980, doctors diagnosed Jerry Lampe with peritoneal mesothelioma. At the time, there were few treatments for the rare cancer. Doctors gave him only six to 12 months to live. A friend suggested Lampe check out the Immune Augmentation Therapy Clinic, an experimental cancer center in Freeport, Bahamas. He had daily injections of a protein mixture made from the blood of healthy donors. Today, Lampe may be the longest-living mesothelioma survivor in the U.S. “There is no way to prove now what it did or didn’t do for me back then,” Jerry said. “[The injections] built up my immune system, and I survived.”
Sissy Hoffman
Pleural mesothelioma survivor
In 1996, Sissy Hoffman had a radical surgery called an extrapleural pneumonectomy. Dr. David Sugarbaker, a pioneer in mesothelioma treatment, did the surgery. Hoffman thrives today. She eats well and does tai chi and water aerobics. It’s allowed her to take a lifetime trip to Italy and even snorkel despite having one lung. “Was it easy? No, it was not,” Sissy said. “But I am stronger for it, and I have a deeper appreciation for life.”
Common Questions About Alternative Treatments for Mesothelioma
Can integrative or alternative treatments for mesothelioma help with symptoms?
Yes. Integrative and alternative therapies may help mesothelioma patients manage symptoms and the side effects of standard treatment, but they don’t treat the cancer itself. Many patients turn to complementary therapies to ease the side effects of standard mesothelioma treatments and boost their health.
Patients considering complementary treatments should consult their doctor first to avoid any negative interactions with standard treatments. Doctors and a patient’s care team can recommend therapies.
How do complementary therapies help manage treatment side effects?
Complementary therapies ease the side effects of standard mesothelioma treatment, such as nausea and fatigue from chemo, which helps patients complete their full treatment. Choose complementary therapies based on your symptoms, their type and severity. Medical marijuana can often manage nausea. Proper nutrition boosts well-being. A meditation practice can reduce stress. The best approach may include combining several alternative therapies.
Are alternative, naturopathic and holistic medicine for mesothelioma the same?
These terms have different meanings. Alternative medicine for mesothelioma is any treatment that avoids standard methods. It uses only non-standard methods to treat or cure the disease, like a special diet instead of cancer drugs. Naturopathic remedies are a type of alternative medicine. They use herbs and natural remedies to support the body’s self-healing. Holistic medicine treats the whole person. This approach often includes multiple therapies, such as integrative medicine, which combines conventional mesothelioma treatments with complementary therapies.
Can I use Essiac tea in addition to my cancer treatments?
No. You shouldn’t use Essiac tea with cancer treatment without your doctor’s approval because it can interact with some chemo drugs. Certain chemo drugs, including the experimental chemo drug DX-8951f, can negatively interact with Essiac.
This tea might slow the rate at which your body metabolizes certain drugs, which may increase a drug’s potency or prolong its effects. A report indicates that Essiac may also inhibit liver enzymes known as cytochrome p450, which play a crucial role in eliminating some cancer medications from your system.
How can I incorporate beta-glucan into my diet?
Eating more foods that contain this type of fiber is one way to incorporate beta-glucans into your diet. They appear in a range of plant-based foods, including oats, barley, seaweed and certain mushrooms. People with mesothelioma can speak to a dietitian to learn more about eating a diet with supportive nutrients.
While many medical providers prefer patients get nutrients like beta-glucans through their diet, you can use supplements if you are unable to get enough nutrients through dietary changes alone. If you’re considering taking supplements, speak with your doctor about possible beta-glucan benefits, adverse drug interactions or side effects.
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Most helpful, steered us in the right direction for treatment. Great source of information and support, the Center followed through on every one of our requests.
Because of their guidance, I was able to navigate getting my mother into MD Anderson when her case got put aside by mistake in all the COVID-19 craziness. Vanessa was amazing and I can’t recommend enough reaching out to them. I thought it was a gimmick to get you to hire a lawyer, but I was so wrong. They truly seemed to want to help meso patients and KNOW what you need to ask and do in order to get help.
Hearing the news about my mother's diagnosis was heartbreaking. I felt lost, I didn't know how I could help or where to seek the best medical care. I started researching specialists online and shortly after, Dr. Smart reached out to me. She has been extremely helpful and encouraging throughout this entire process. Even though we aren't located in her area, she has helped us get in contact and set up appointments with the best doctors/specialists nearby. She has always been available for any questions that we have, and she even sent us a binder full of helpful resources. The patient advocates are amazing and true to their title. Dealing with this process is not easy, but knowing that we have someone like Dr. Smart in our corner is reassuring and we are so grateful for her and The Mesothelioma Center.
My son Carlos was diagnosed with this terrible and unknown disease a few months ago. Thank God we found The Mesothelioma Center along the way, and Vanessa Blanco who provided us with information on hospitals and doctors who have been of great help. I am very grateful to them.
Extremely communicative and helped my dad get an appointment with one of the top centers in Philadelphia. I'm so grateful for this center. They assisted with information on nutrition, legal help, and scheduling appointments. Special thanks to Danielle!
Danielle DiPietro was an invaluable resource for me. Her suggestions and recommendations guided us towards stellar practitioners in our area. Without her advocacy, I feel we would have been receiving less-than-optimal medical and legal care for mesothelioma. Receiving the diagnosis was a shock and I felt lost initially. I wish everyone could take advantage of this FREE assistance.
I was very grateful and appreciative of Dr. Smart from The Mesothelioma Center. She was very helpful to my husband and me. She educated and walked us through the steps, and suggested ideas and questions to ask his doctors. She also provided me with a lot of information that I can read and educate myself about this illness. We need more people like Dr. Smart, who is very educated and you can tell she enjoys the work that she does by the way she assisted my husband and me. We thank the Lord and are grateful that we met Dr. Smart from The Mesothelioma Center.
In January of 2016, my husband was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. Our first reaction was: what is this and what can we do? He was diagnosed by an oncologist and was scheduled to start chemotherapy. When we arrived home that day, I googled mesothelioma and discovered The Mesothelioma Center had a form to fill out to request additional information. I filled it out and within an hour, I received a phone call from Karen Selby from The Mesothelioma Center asking if I needed any help. Karen was and still is my lifeline. She located a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic who performed surgery and HIPEC on peritoneal mesothelioma patients. My husband was scheduled with an appointment and his surgery was performed on March 3, 2016. He continued with follow-up appointments with the oncologist until a friend of ours passed away from it in 2017. Immediately I sent Karen an email asking if she knew any mesothelioma specialists at the clinic, and of course, I got a prompt response back with a name. Everything was going well until the last CAT scan, which showed it returned. He is now doing chemo and has his next CAT scan scheduled for the end of March with a follow-up for the results with the mesothelioma doctor. Without Karen, I am not sure my husband would still be here. She provided me with so much information along with help in various ways, too numerous to even mention. Thank you to all those who are there to help us.
Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez is an oncologist and hematologist specializing in mesothelioma at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, Florida.
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