Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
4100 John R St, Detroit, MI 48201
Year Built: 1943
Number of Beds: 123
Number of Physicians: 2
Mesothelioma Treatment in Michigan
Table Of Contents
Mesothelioma patients in Michigan can access top-notch cancer treatment centers with specialists in mesothelioma diagnosis, treatment and research. Multiple cancer centers in Michigan offer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment as well as access to clinical trials.
Written by Karen Selby, RN | Edited by Amy Edel | Last Update:
"Most helpful, steered us in the right direction for treatmen...." see more
Elaine C. - Mesothelioma Patient
"Because of their guidance, I was able to navigate getting my...." see more
Deanna B. - Daughter of a Mesothelioma Patient
"Hearing the news about my mother's diagnosis was heartbreaki...." see more
Danielle W. - Daughter of a Mesothelioma Patient
"My son Carlos was diagnosed with this terrible and unknown d...." see more
Martha M. - Mother of a Mesothelioma Patient
"Extremely communicative and helped my dad get an appointment...." see more
Sunni H. - Loved One of a Mesothelioma Patient
"Danielle DiPietro was an invaluable resource for me. Her sug...." see more
Deborah C. - Spouse of a Mesothelioma Patient
"I was very grateful and appreciative of Dr. Smart from The M...." see more
Kimberlin C. - Spouse of a Mesothelioma Patient
"In January of 2016, my husband was diagnosed with peritoneal...." see more
Gloria R. - Spouse of a Mesothelioma Patient
Getting Treatment in Michigan
Michigan’s top cancer centers emphasize personalized therapies including immunotherapy and participation in clinical trials to access promising new treatments. With its extensive industrial history, particularly in automotive manufacturing, Michigan has seen significant asbestos exposure linked to mesothelioma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2018 to 2022, Michigan reported 500 new mesothelioma cases with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 0.80 per 100,000 people across all racial and ethnic groups.
Our Patient Advocates have connected people in Michigan with top doctors and cancer centers for more than 15 years. Our resources include support groups, webinars with experts and VA-accredited claims agents. We help families schedule medical appointments, navigate insurance, seek financial assistance and get second opinions.
Expert Take
Dr. Jacques Fontaine: How Multidisciplinary Teams Work
Cancer is a complex disease to treat. And that’s why it’s so important to have different type of experts, different type of physicians who all focus on lung cancer or who all focus on mesothelioma or esophageal cancer, and they all come together to work in unison.
So the radiation oncologist will give their input on that specific case. The medical oncologist will chime in. The thoracic surgeon will provide his or her expertise. The pulmonologist, the pathologist who will review the slides, the radiologist, and they all have a focus on that one specific type of cancer. They all work together as a singular team under one roof in the same clinic space.
So the radiation oncologist will give their input on that specific case. The medical oncologist will chime in. The thoracic surgeon will provide his or her expertise. The pulmonologist, the pathologist who will review the slides, the radiologist, and they all have a focus on that one specific type of cancer. They all work together as a singular team under one roof in the same clinic space.
Top Mesothelioma Centers in Michigan
The leading cancer treatment centers for mesothelioma in Michigan include two National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers: the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit and the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center in Ann Arbor. Both are recognized nationwide for their innovative cancer research and expertise in treating complex cases such as mesothelioma.
What to Look for in a Cancer Center in Michigan
- American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer accreditation
- NCI designation
- Offers supportive care in addition to advanced surgical and oncology treatments
The Karmanos Cancer Institute and Rogel Cancer Center both meet the highest standards for cancer care. As NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers, they provide a full spectrum of services beyond diagnosis and treatment, including supportive care, clinical trials, and patient education. They are also active leaders in mesothelioma research and members of national oncology networks that set evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Rogel Cancer Center at University of Michigan
E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Year Built: 1986
Number of Physicians: 1
Van Elslander Cancer Center
19229 Mack Ave. Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
Year Built: 1952
Number of Physicians: 1
Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
3601 W. 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073
Year Built: 1977
Number of Beds: 1,070 beds
Number of Physicians: 1
Michigan Doctors Who Treat Mesothelioma
Michigan offers access to several highly skilled mesothelioma cancer specialists dedicated to developing personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique diagnosis. Finding a physician with expertise in your specific mesothelioma type and its complexities is critical for optimal care.
Choosing a Specialist in Michigan
- Collaborative approach with multidisciplinary teams, including surgeons, radiation oncologists and palliative care providers
- Proven experience and expertise in managing your mesothelioma subtype
- Up-to-date knowledge of emerging therapies and clinical trials
- Focus on compassionate, patient-centered care and communication
Selecting a doctor who combines clinical expertise with a supportive, empathetic approach is essential. Mesothelioma treatment can be a prolonged and challenging journey, so it’s important you feel comfortable working closely with your doctor. Together, you can make informed decisions and navigate your care as a trusted team.
Raed Alnajjar
Pleural Specialist | Thoracic Surgery
Expertise:
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Structural Heart Disease
Expertise:
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Structural Heart Disease
Dr. Raed Alnajjar is a respected thoracic surgeon at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan, and the medical director of cardiothoracic surgery at Henry Ford Macomb Medical Pavilion.
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Gregory P. Kalemkerian
Pleural Specialist | Medical Oncology
Expertise:
Thoracic Malignancies
Immunotherapy
Expertise:
Thoracic Malignancies
Immunotherapy
Dr. Gregory P. Kalemkerian has dedicated his time to researching effective treatments for lung cancer and mesothelioma. Throughout his career as a medical oncologist, he has acted as an unparalleled resource for his patients.
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Richard Berri
Peritoneal Specialist | Thoracic Surgery
Expertise:
Cytoreductive Surgery
HIPEC
Expertise:
Cytoreductive Surgery
HIPEC
Dr. Richard Berri is a renowned thoracic surgeon at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit. Berri is known for his surgical skill and his eagerness to collaborate with other specialists to deliver optimal care to his patients.
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Hirva Mamdani
Pleural Specialist | Medical Oncology
Expertise:
Immunotherapy
Research
Expertise:
Immunotherapy
Research
Dr. Hirva Mamdani is a respected medical oncologist at Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit. She specializes in the treatment of thoracic malignancies, including lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma.
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Mohammad Muhsin Chisti
Pleural Specialist | Medical Oncology
Expertise:
Immunotherapy
Pleural Mesothelioma
Expertise:
Immunotherapy
Pleural Mesothelioma
Respected medical oncologist Dr. Mohammad Chisti treats a wide range of cancer patients, including those with pleural mesothelioma, at Beaumont Hospital in Troy, Michigan.
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Miguel Alvelo-Rivera
Pleural Specialist | Thoracic Surgery
Expertise:
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Thoracoscopic Pneumonectomy
Expertise:
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Thoracoscopic Pneumonectomy
Dr. Miguel Alvelo-Rivera is a thoracic surgeon and key member of the comprehensive cancer care team at MidMichigan Health in Midland.
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Shirish Gadgeel
Pleural Specialist | Medical Oncology
Expertise:
Thoracic Malignancies
Clinical Research
Expertise:
Thoracic Malignancies
Clinical Research
Dr. Shirish Gadgeel is a medical oncologist at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute in Detroit, where he serves as associate director of patient experience and clinical care.
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Craig W. Stevens
Pleural Specialist | Radiation Oncology
Expertise:
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy
Clinical Trials
Expertise:
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy
Clinical Trials
Dr. Craig Stevens is the department chair for radiation oncology at the Beaumont Cancer Center in Royal Oak, Michigan, where he helped build a mesothelioma treatment program. He is a pioneer in the development of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, and he leads clinical trials testing new drugs and radiation techniques.
Read BioClinical Trials and Cancer Research in Michigan
Many leading cancer centers in Michigan prioritize research and clinical trials to advance mesothelioma treatment. Clinical trials are vital because they offer patients access to the latest therapies being studied, which may not be widely available yet. These trials help researchers find more effective and targeted treatments for mesothelioma.
Currently, several open Michigan clinical trials are recruiting participants. They’re testing innovative approaches such as targeted immunotherapy drugs that attack specific genetic mutations associated with mesothelioma, and novel combinations of chemo with immune checkpoint inhibitors. These trials are conducted at top centers like the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Henry Ford Cancer and the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center.
If you’re interested in enrolling in a mesothelioma clinical trial, Patient Advocates can answer your questions and guide you as you explore your options. This support can help you navigate the often complex process of finding and assessing trial opportunities.
Clinical Trial
Phase 1 Study of INBRX-109 in Subjects With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors, Including Sarcomas
This is a trial of an experimental immunotherapy drug, INBRX-109, designed to treat mesothelioma and other solid tumors.
- Condition: Pleural Mesothelioma
- Intervention: Immunotherapy
- Locations: Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Recruiting: October 28, 2018 – Present
Clinical Trial
Study of ASTX295 in Patients With Solid Tumors With Wild-Type p53
This trial is testing a new drug that targets a protein in the p53 gene associated with cancer.
- Condition: Pleural Mesothelioma
- Intervention: Targeted Therapy
- Locations: Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Recruiting: June 2019 – Present
Clinical Trial
PRO1184 for Advanced Solid Tumors
This study is evaluating a treatment that consists of a targeted therapy drug bound to an antibody against receptors on cancer cells, including mesothelioma and other solid tumors.
- Condition: Malignant Mesothelioma
- Intervention: Targeted Therapy/Immunotherapy
- Locations: Detroit, Michigan
- Recruiting: October 2022 – Present
Stories From Survivors
Chuck Gast
Pleural Mesothelioma Survivor
Chuck Gast traveled to Michigan to receive life-saving treatment for pleural mesothelioma after his diagnosis in 2016. His former wife had received a mesothelioma diagnosis just three years prior, so he had firsthand experience with the cancer.
He underwent pleurectomy and decortication (P/D), an aggressive surgery to remove the lining of his lung, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor before returning home to Ohio for chemotherapy. With the love and support of his wife, stepdaughter and church, Gast has been able to return to his normal life. He was able to return to work, walking a half mile to and from work every day, and resumed weightlifting and playing softball. According to Gast, surviving mesothelioma has made him stronger.
Cancer Support Services in Michigan
Cancer support services are designed to meet the needs of patients, caregivers and families facing mesothelioma. There are both national and local resources available to help people in Michigan with mesothelioma. Along with treatment, these programs provide important financial, emotional and spiritual support.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society offers cancer resource centers that provide free wigs, hats, treatment information and other types of support to patients. Their services also include helping individuals find emotional support groups, financial aid and lodging during treatment.
Mesothelioma Survivor, Caregiver & Family Support
This Facebook group connects mesothelioma patients and caregivers in Michigan and across the country. It gives newly diagnosed patients, survivors and their families a place to share experiences and offer peer support.
Michigan Health and Human Services
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services provides online information to help cancer survivors and caregivers find support services. They also offer a program that delivers home-delivered meals to people who cannot prepare food on their own, including those living with cancer.
Revive & Thrive
The Revive & Thrive Project delivers fresh, healthy meals to individuals with cancer and other health challenges in the Grand Rapids area. It provides nutritional help to not only patients but also their families and caregivers.
Rogel Cancer Center
The University of Michigan’s Rogel Cancer Center offers many support services for cancer patients and their families. These include art therapy, educational programs, support groups and spiritual care.
