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.
Diagnosed with mesothelioma? Get a free guide to learn about the latest treatment options.
Access information on top mesothelioma treatments.
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.
Find a Mesothelioma Cancer Center Near You
Find the top cancer centers trusted by mesothelioma patients nationwide.
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.
The most populated states report more cases of mesothelioma, which creates a demand for experts in the field. These states are home to some of the best mesothelioma specialists in the country. These specialists treat more cases of mesothelioma compared to general oncologists and surgeons, which refines their expertise and often results in improved survival among patients.
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.
Choosing a comprehensive cancer center gets you access to a team of specialists, including oncologists, thoracic surgeons, radiologists and other health care professionals who work together to offer you the best care possible. These centers also offer clinical trials that provide access to experimental treatments and new drugs that are not widely available.
Extensive support services, including pain management, nutritional counseling, psychological support and palliative care, are often available at comprehensive centers. This holistic approach addresses not just the disease but also the patient’s overall well-being.
Find Top Cancer Centers Near You
Begin your search for a Treatment Centers in your area.
Don’t see your state? Find out how our Doctor Match program can help.
Mesothelioma treatment options can vary by location because of the availability of expert physicians. While many Americans live within driving distance of a mesothelioma treatment center, some patients may want to see a doctor in another state who specializes in their unique type of mesothelioma. Resources and travel grants are available for families who need assistance accessing the best treatment.
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. In 2024, U.S. News & World Report named Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York as the No. 2 cancer center in the nation.
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 MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C. The world’s most renowned surgeon for the abdominal cancer, Dr. Paul Sugarbaker, innovated the most effective procedure for peritoneal mesothelioma there. It combines cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy. Sugarbaker has retired, but surgeons that trained with him continue his legacy.
Western states have a relatively high incidence of mesothelioma. California ranks No. 1 for asbestos-related deaths in the United States, according to the 2018-2022 CDC Underlying Cause of Death report. In addition to the occupational exposure at shipyards and industrial job sites, environmental exposure occurs near the state’s natural deposits of asbestos.
California is also 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. U.S. News & World Report named City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California, as the No. 5 cancer center in the nation in 2024.
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.
Our Patient Advocates can assess your needs and provide the best suitable options near you. Your advocate will share why a certain physician may make the most sense based on your diagnosis and their experience. We aim to ensure you are most informed when choosing your specialist.
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.
So many of my patients are hard-working men and women — genuine, salt-of-the-earth people — who were ready to enjoy the retirement years that were well earned. They deserve the best possible medical care.
The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, has several thoracic surgeons who specialize in mesothelioma. The center participates in numerous clinical trials for the disease. U.S. News & World Report named Mayo Clinic as the No. 3 cancer center in the nation in 2024.
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. He works with a multidisciplinary team of experts to offer multimodal therapy for mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, and its treatment is quite tricky and complex and requires sometimes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. And therefore, it’d be best that we have mesothelioma specialists from various disciplines. That’s what major mesothelioma centers offer: different specialists from different disciplines all working, taking care of one patient.
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.
In 2024, U.S. News & World Report named University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston as the Best Hospital for Cancer for the tenth year in a row. Dr. Anne Tsao, a medical oncologist and mesothelioma specialist, directs their mesothelioma program and leads clinical trials treating the disease.
Recommended Reading
Your web browser is no longer supported by Microsoft. Update your browser for more security, speed and compatibility.
If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at (855) 404-4592
Who Am I Calling?
Calling this number connects you with a Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center, the nation's most trusted mesothelioma resource.
Our Patient Advocates can help guide you or your loved one through the steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Our team has a combined experience of more than 30 years in assisting cancer patients, and includes a medical doctor, an oncology registered nurse and a U.S. Navy veteran.
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
Reviewed
Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.
Registered Nurse and Board Certified Patient Advocate
Karen Selby is a registered nurse and Board Certified Patient Advocate with over 30 years of experience and a background in oncology and thoracic surgery. She previously served as the regional director of a tissue bank and assisted with thoracic surgeries as an operating room nurse.
Fact-checked and verified content:
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
Please read our editorial guidelines to learn more about our content creation and review process.
