Mesothelioma patients in Florida can access treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Cancer centers in the state of Florida are pioneering innovative research, active clinical trials and are home to top mesothelioma specialists Dr. Jacques Fontaine and Dr. Marcelo DaSilva.
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Mesothelioma patients in Florida often visit H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Here, they can participate in innovative clinical trials. They also receive multidisciplinary care from a team of mesothelioma doctors.
Patients also visit Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. Sylvester provides access to innovative surgical techniques. One example is cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy. This procedure is the leading treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma.
In 2022, pivotal research came from Sylvester. The findings led the World Health Organization’s cancer division to reclassify firefighting as a Group 1 carcinogenic profession.
Pleural mesothelioma patients also turn to AdventHealth Celebration. This hospital is located just south of Orlando. Here, mesothelioma patients have access to robotic surgery.
Florida residents may need financial assistance to help pay for medical care. For many, mesothelioma treatment is expensive. Patients should speak with a Florida mesothelioma lawyer. It’s the best way to learn more about legal options for compensation. Florida asbestos manufacturers may be liable for your asbestos exposure. A lawyer can hold them responsible for medical costs related to your diagnosis.
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Mesothelioma Specialists in Florida
Florida residents with mesothelioma have several experts in the state to choose from. These experts specialize in treating pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma.
Dr. Jacques Fontaine is a pleural mesothelioma specialist and surgeon. He leads the mesothelioma program at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami is home to Villamizar. Both thoracic surgeons trained under Sugarbaker. He was the pioneer behind tumor-removing surgery for pleural mesothelioma.
Sylvester also features Dr. Mecker Moller. This peritoneal mesothelioma specialist was the first to perform the cytoreduction and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) combination in South Florida.
Top Florida Mesothelioma Doctors
Jacques Fontaine
Pleural Specialist | Thoracic Surgery
Expertise:
Pleural Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Thoracic Diseases, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Pleurectomy and Decortication Surgery
Dr. Jacques Fontaine is the Director of the Mesothelioma Research and Treatment Center at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. He specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery including robotic surgery. Fontaine became a pleural mesothelioma specialist while studying under Dr. Sugarbaker at the International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham & Women’s Hospital.
Dr. Marcelo DaSilva is medical director of thoracic surgery at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute, where he has built the Mesothelioma International Treatment Program.
Thoracic surgeon Dr. Nestor Villamizar has raised the level of treatment for pleural mesothelioma patients at the Sylvester Cancer Center and the University of Miami Health System. He came to Miami from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where he worked alongside mesothelioma treatment pioneer Dr. David Sugarbaker.
Mesothelioma Experts and Innovative Research in Florida
Florida ranks No. 2 in the nation for mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths. The primary reason is the state’s large retirement population. Thankfully, Florida is home to some of the best mesothelioma surgeons. These doctors work at some of the nation’s best hospitals and cancer centers.
Several surgeons in Florida have trained under Dr. David Sugarbaker. He was a mesothelioma specialist who pioneered treatment for the disease. One of these surgeons is Dr. Jacques Fontaine in Tampa. Another is Dr. Nestor Villamizar at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami.
The state’s mesothelioma experts have advanced new therapies for the disease. Doctors and cancer centers in Florida helped develop Tumor Treating Fields. This new therapy was approved in 2019 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat pleural mesothelioma.
Fontaine was part of a mesothelioma advisory group that helped develop TTFields. He was involved before the therapy became available to the public.
The Miami Cancer Institute was an early adopter of TTFields. It was one of the first mesothelioma cancer centers in the country to offer the therapy.
The Moffitt Cancer Center research team is harvesting special immune cells, called TIL or tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, from patients’ tumors. TIL cells are grown and amplified in the lab and reinjected into the patient to attack tumors. Preliminary results have been very encouraging.
Dr. Jacques Fontaine, Thoracic Surgeon for Mesothelioma
Moffitt Cancer Center is running a phase II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of multimodal therapy. It studies pleurectomy and decortication surgery, chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy.
The University of Miami Hospital is participating in a phase II clinical trial of Imfinzi (durvalumab). The study combines it with standard chemotherapy for mesothelioma. Researchers are testing to see if it improves overall survival in patients.
Multiple cancer centers throughout Florida are participating in a phase II clinical trial of immunotherapy drugs. Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) continue to show benefits in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma.
The American Cancer Society’s cancer resource centers provide free wigs, hats, treatment information, support and more for patients diagnosed with cancer. The services available also include help finding emotional support networks and financial assistance.
A service of Orlando Health, the Cancer Support Community at UF Health Cancer Center is open to any patient with cancer, as well as survivors and caregivers. The community uses integrative medical techniques that can manage symptoms, relieve stress and improve mental health. All members have access to nutritionists, counselors, pain specialists and palliative treatment consultations.
Available in Fort Lauderdale and other off-site locations in nearby communities, Gilda’s Club provides innovative programs for anyone affected by cancer. Services include support groups, healthy living workshops, social gatherings and financial support. Professionals lead an array of seminars, and the organization prides itself on building a strong community in South Florida.
Mesothelioma Survivors from Florida
Gene Hartline
Pleural Mesothelioma Survivor
When Gene Hartline was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in July 2016, doctors told him there was little they could do for his advanced condition. His family couldn’t accept that prognosis, so they sought a second opinion not too far from their home in Lady Lake, Florida. Hartline did chemotherapy and decided to join an immunotherapy clinical trial testing Opdivo at the recommendation of his new doctor. Opdivo kept his cancer under control for nine months. “I would tell anyone who gets diagnosed with this disease, don’t just take the first advice you get and give up,” Hartline said. “Look around and see what is out there.”
Jack Riordan
Pleural Mesothelioma Survivor
Floridian Jack Riordan was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in June 2014 and knew right away that he wanted to participate in a clinical trial. He has a strong belief clinical trials help others facing the diagnosis. After finishing chemotherapy, he joined an immunotherapy clinical trial in southwest Florida. “Without thinking twice, I’d recommend a clinical trial to most everyone. By taking part, maybe it will give doctors some information to help others in the future,” Riordan said.
Judy Goodson
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Survivor
Judy Goodson was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2013 following treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A CT scan revealed spots on her bladder, and doctors assumed it was a lymphoma metastasis. After the spots didn’t respond to chemotherapy and radiation, doctors performed a biopsy and found peritoneal mesothelioma. Goodson underwent cytoreductive surgery and two rounds of HIPEC with Dr. Sophie Dessureault at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. “I believe with my heart that those that survive are warriors,” Goodson said. “I often joke with my friends that mesothelioma whispered in my ear, ‘You can’t handle me.’ And I told mesothelioma, no, you can’t handle me.”
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Selby, K. (2025, February 24). Mesothelioma Treatment in Florida. Asbestos.com. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/states/florida/
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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.
Registered Nurse and Board Certified Patient Advocate
Karen Selby is a registered nurse and Board Certified Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center with more than 30 years of experience in oncology and thoracic surgery. She worked as an operating room nurse in thoracic surgery at the University of Maryland for 6 years, assisting with surgeries such as lung transplants, pneumonectomies and pleurectomies. She later served as regional director of the tissue procurement program at the University of Florida. Karen joined The Mesothelioma Center in 2009, providing patients with personalized support and resources.
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Dr. Jacques Fontaine , Thoracic Surgeon for Mesothelioma
