Dr. Abraham Lebenthal
Thoracic SurgeonThoracic surgeon Dr. Abraham Lebenthal specializes in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, splitting his time between the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and the nearby Good Samaritan Medical Center.
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Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston, Massachusetts (MA)
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Primary Location:Dana-Farber Cancer Institute -
Expertise:Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Pleurectomy and Decortication Surgery -
Speciality:Thoracic Surgery -
Gender:Male -
Language:English, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic -
Med School:Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School
Get to Know Dr. Abraham Lebenthal
Dr. Abraham Lebenthal is passionate about his work with malignant mesothelioma patients.
He is a respected thoracic specialist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and has extensive experience performing the most aggressive surgeries for pleural mesothelioma. He also serves as a professor at Harvard Medical School.
Lebenthal was recruited to Dana-Farber and trained by mesothelioma treatment pioneer and thoracic surgeon Dr. David Sugarbaker. He formerly worked at the VA Boston Healthcare System.
In addition to mesothelioma, his clinical interests include lung cancer, mediastinal tumors, thymic tumors and esophageal cancer. He has experience with advanced laparoscopy and therapeutic endoscopy techniques.
When it comes to mesothelioma, Lebenthal believes in tailoring treatment for every individual, being aggressive with his approach and “pushing the envelope” to find solutions.
Specialties of Dr. Abraham Lebenthal
- Pleural mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
- Pleurectomy and decortication surgery
Dr. Abraham Lebenthal’s Experience and Medical Education
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Good Samaritan Medical Center
- VA Boston Healthcare System
- Fox Chase Cancer Center
- Harvard Medical School (Instructor)
- Mount Sinai Medical Center (Residency)
- Hebrew University Medical Center (Residency)
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Fellowship)
- Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School (M.D.)
Awards and Certifications
- Letter of Distinction for Bravery, Israeli Army
- Golden Heart Award, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Compassionate Doctor Award
- Patient’s Choice 5th Anniversary Award
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials Under Abraham Lebenthal, M.D.
- A multicenter phase II study of toxicity issues involving the combination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and modulated radiation therapy in combination with pleurectomy and decortication surgery.
Dr. Lebenthal’s Military Background Influences His Work
Lebenthal credits his military training for much of the success and the passion he exhibits as a thoracic surgeon.
He served active duty as a battalion physician in an elite infantry unit within the Israeli Army after his graduation from medical school. It was there he received a Letter of Distinction for Bravery after evacuating combat soldiers under fire.
“One of the things you learn in the military is, there is no such thing as ‘I can’t.’ You learn to make good decisions,” he said. “You learn to take responsibility and ownership. And you better have precise execution. It’s the same in medicine.”
That training also attracted Lebenthal to mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that has hit a disproportionate number of veterans exposed to asbestos, stemming from the military’s use of contaminated products.
“I have a deep admiration and respect for people who served in the military. It’s part of my background,” he said. “As in war, we don’t leave our brothers behind.”
Publications of Dr. Abraham Lebenthal
- Ijsseldijk, M. et al. (2019). Survival After Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Clinically Diagnosed or Biopsy-Proven Early-Stage NSCLC: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
- Siegert, C. et al. (2017). Open access phone triage for veterans with suspected malignant pleural mesothelioma. Journal of Surgical Research.
- Fisichella, M., Lebenthal, A. & Jalilvand, A. (2015). Diagnostic Evaluation of Achalasia: From the Whalebone to the Chicago Classification. World Journal of Surgery.
- Paul, S. et al. (2007). Primary Ewing sarcoma invading the heart: resection and reconstruction. Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery.
