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Mesothelioma Treatment by State
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Certain states have earned a strong reputation for excellent mesothelioma treatment. California and New York feature some of the most sought-after mesothelioma surgeons, while Florida and Illinois feature innovative programs for radiation therapy, immunotherapy and clinical trial research.
Written by Karen Selby, RN • Edited By Walter Pacheco
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APA
Selby, K. (2023, August 15). Mesothelioma Treatment by State. Asbestos.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/states/
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Selby, Karen. "Mesothelioma Treatment by State." Asbestos.com, 15 Aug 2023, https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/states/.
Chicago
Selby, Karen. "Mesothelioma Treatment by State." Asbestos.com. Last modified August 15, 2023. https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/states/.
Finding Mesothelioma Treatment Options Near You
Patients and families facing a mesothelioma diagnosis wonder where they should go to access the best treatment. The answer depends on several factors. Whether you have pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma is most important. The cancer’s stage and even its cell type play a role.
Several cancer centers throughout the U.S. feature doctors who specialize in different treatments. These modalities for mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
These teams collaborate to offer multidisciplinary treatment. It fights mesothelioma in multiple ways, giving patients the best chance at long-term survival.
Top States for Mesothelioma Treatment
The top states for mesothelioma treatment are home to several top-notch comprehensive cancer centers. These states are among the most populated in the U.S., which generates a larger demand for high-quality health care services.
Other States for Mesothelioma Treatment
Even though few doctors specialize in mesothelioma, most states have at least one to meet the needs of patients. They tend to work at comprehensive cancer centers and are often supported by an multidisciplinary team.
Mesothelioma Treatment by Region
East
Eastern states, particularly New York and New Jersey, have higher rates of mesothelioma. That’s because of the region’s rich industrial and manufacturing history. There’s a higher concentration of mesothelioma doctors and treatment centers in this region.
New York is home to several mesothelioma specialty centers such as Mount Sinai Hospital, NYU Langone Medical Center and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. Raja Flores at Mount Sinai is a thoracic surgeon and pleural mesothelioma specialist who has dedicated part of his career to helping 9/11 first responders coping with asbestos-related diseases. In 2022, Dr. Andrea Wolf, another thoracic surgeon at Mount Sinai, opened a novel mesothelioma vaccine clinical trial at the hospital.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma are close to the world’s most renowned surgeon for the abdominal cancer, Dr. Paul Sugarbaker at the Washington Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C.
Sugarbaker innovated the most effective procedure for peritoneal mesothelioma. It combines cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy.
West
Western states have a relatively high incidence of mesothelioma. Environmental exposure occurs near natural deposits of asbestos here. Occupational exposure that took place in shipyards and other industrial job sites.
California is home to one of the world’s most renowned mesothelioma surgeons. Several of the nation’s top-rated mesothelioma treatment centers include Ridley-Tree Cancer Center in Santa Barbara and the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.
Dr. Robert Cameron pioneered lung-sparing surgery for early-stage pleural mesothelioma. It has become the most popular procedure for patients diagnosed early enough to qualify for it.
Central
Rates of mesothelioma are generally lower in the central region. Certain states, such as Illinois, have higher rates of mesothelioma. That’s because of asbestos exposure that happened in factories and manufacturing plants.
Innovative clinical trials are available at the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center. The facility is home to Dr. Hedy Kindler, who treats pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, has several thoracic surgeons who specialize in mesothelioma. The center participates in numerous clinical trials for the disease.
South
Rates of mesothelioma in the South are lower compared to other regions, with the exception of Florida.
Florida ranks No. 2 in the U.S. for mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths, largely because of its retirement population. For this reason, many of the South’s best mesothelioma doctors and treatment centers are located in Florida.
Patients with pleural mesothelioma turn to the highly trained and experienced thoracic surgeon Dr. Jacques Fontaine at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Fontaine is regularly asked to provide his expertise in the development of new mesothelioma treatments such as Tumor Treating Fields.
Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma may access the most effective treatment for the disease — cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy — at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. Dr. Mecker Moller, a surgical oncologist who specializes in peritoneal mesothelioma, was the first surgeon to perform the procedure in South Florida.
Sugarbaker Legacy Lives on Throughout the US
Known as “Mr. Mesothelioma,” Dr. David Sugarbaker dedicated his career to this asbestos-related cancer. He was a pioneer in the field. He developed the extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery for pleural mesothelioma. And he invented a specialized walker for patients recovering from surgery.
Sugarbaker passed his skills and knowledge to other thoracic surgeons looking to specialize in pleural mesothelioma. Some of the surgeons throughout the U.S. who trained under Sugarbaker include:
- Dr. Abraham Lebenthal at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston
- Dr. Alexander Farivar at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle
- Dr. David P. Mason at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas
- Dr. Jacques Fontaine at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida
- Dr. Marcelo DaSilva at AdventHealth Orlando in Florida
- Dr. Nestor Villamizar at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami
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