Mesothelioma Treatment in California
Mesothelioma patients in California can access treatments and therapies such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Cancer centers in the state of California are leading a number of active clinical trials and are home to top mesothelioma specialists Dr. Robert Cameron and Dr. W. Charles Conway.
Top California Mesothelioma Cancer Centers
Where to Get Mesothelioma Treatment in California
Mesothelioma patients in California visit UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles to access new clinical trials and some of the best multidisciplinary care in the state.
Patients also visit Ridley-Tree Cancer Center in Santa Barbara to receive treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma.
Military veterans in California can receive excellent care covered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.
California Doctors Who Treat Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma patients in Southern California have close access to Cameron, one of the nation’s most respected thoracic surgeons.
Dr. W. Charles Conway in Santa Barbara is an expert in treating peritoneal mesothelioma. He performs cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy, known as HIPEC, which is the most effective treatment option for the cancer.
Top California Mesothelioma Doctors
Dr. Robert B. Cameron developed a lung-sparing surgery for pleural mesothelioma that not only extends survival but offers greater quality of life by preserving the lung. Cameron’s surgery has a lower risk of complications and studies report longer survival times.
Dr. W. Charles Conway is an expert in peritoneal mesothelioma and the Director of Surgical Oncology at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center in Santa Barbara, California. He specializes in minimally invasive robotic surgery and heated chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma.
Dr. Harmik Soukiasian is the lead surgeon in Cedars-Sinai’s Mesothelioma Program, which specializes in early detection, novel treatments and clinical trials. His expertise includes video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and photodynamic therapy.
Mesothelioma and the State of California
California ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths. The state leads the nation in asbestos-related mortality because of its industrial history. California also is home to some of the largest asbestos deposits in the world.
Mines, power generation plants, shipyards and other industrial sites exposed many workers to asbestos and resulted in residents developing related diseases. The asbestos exposure these workers endured led to many cases of asbestos-related disease in California.
California is home to a number of hospitals, cancer centers and doctors specializing in mesothelioma to meet the medical needs of this population.
For example, UCLA Comprehensive Cancer Center is where thoracic surgeon Dr. Robert Cameron developed a lung-sparing surgery for pleural mesothelioma patients. Cameron’s pleurectomy and decortication procedure revolutionized patient care and improved long-term mesothelioma survival.
California residents with peritoneal mesothelioma may choose from a number of doctors who specialize in their specific form of the disease including Dr. W. Charles Conway at Ridley Tree Cancer Center in Santa Barbara.
California veterans with mesothelioma have several VA medical centers to choose from including VA West Los Angeles Medical Center, which offers specialized treatment for mesothelioma.
California residents may need financial assistance to afford mesothelioma treatment at these excellent centers. You can learn more about your legal options for compensation by speaking with a California mesothelioma lawyer.
Research and Clinical Trials in California
A lot of cancer research is conducted in California, including mesothelioma clinical trials and laboratory research. For example, the Pacific Mesothelioma Center, which is under the medical direction of Cameron, conducts ongoing research to develop new therapies.
- A phase II trial is underway in Los Gatos, California, to assess the treatment response of peritoneal mesothelioma patients treated with heated chemotherapy during cytoreductive surgery.
- Five locations throughout Southern California are conducting a phase I and phase II study to test the safety and efficacy of Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) with or without anetumab ravtansine (BAY 94-9343) in pleural mesothelioma patients who test positive for the biomarker mesothelin.
- Many locations throughout California are participating in a phase II clinical trial of the immunotherapy drugs Yervoy (ipilimumab) and Opdivo (nivolumab) in patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.
Cancer Support Services in California
- Hoag Family Cancer Institute
The Hoag Family Cancer Institute in Newport Beach offers a long list of support services for patients in every stage of treatment. Available programs include financial navigation, exercise, spiritual care, oncology massage and rehabilitation services.
- Stanford Health Care Cancer Supportive Care Program
Stanford Health Care sponsors workshops and resources for patients seeking information about their treatment. It has locations in Palo Alto, South Bay and Redwood City. Patients can attend classes to learn more about radiation treatment risks, reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and managing mesothelioma progression.
- Cancer Support Community
Formerly known as The Wellness Community, Cancer Support Community offers a network of free services at locations throughout California. The organization dedicates itself to helping patients find, finance and cope with cancer treatment. It hosts several monthly events that connect patients with resources to help build social connections, find caretaker services and learn more about their cancer.
Mesothelioma Survivors from California
When Jim Huff was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2016, he decided to try cannabis oil and experienced no new cancer growth for 15 months. When the cancer finally started growing, his oncologist at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center recommended Keytruda. Seven months later, scans revealed no new tumor growth. “Keytruda, for me, seems to be a wonder drug,” Huff said. “It seems to be doing everything it’s supposed to, and I’ll just continue to ride this wave as long as it’s there.”
Andy Ashcraft was diagnosed with stage 4 pleural mesothelioma in 2010. He joined a clinical trial in San Diego that was testing chemotherapy in combination with a new immunotherapy drug called Amatuximab (MORab-099). Ashcraft did especially well on the drug for several years, until it stopped working. At that point, Ashcraft began taking cannabis oil through California’s medical marijuana program. He survived seven years with mesothelioma, and he attributed his survival to the treatment he received in his home state.
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