Mesothelioma Treatment in Pennsylvania
Table Of Contents
Mesothelioma patients in Pennsylvania have access to some of the world’s finest cancer treatment centers. Mesothelioma treatment in Pennsylvania is available at cancer centers throughout the state that offer surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy and cutting-edge clinical trials.
Written by Dr. Kristopher Bunting | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: April 9, 2024
Written by Dr. Kristopher Bunting | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: April 9, 2024
Getting Treatment in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has some of the leading mesothelioma cancer treatment centers in the country, including three National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Both the
Abramson Cancer Center and the Fox Chase Cancer Center have been NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers for nearly 50 years.
Pennsylvania has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the U.S. due to its long history of asbestos mining, coal mining and use of asbestos in various industries, including steel production. The state is ranked third in the country for asbestos-related deaths. The incidence of mesothelioma in Pennsylvania is 0.8 cases per 100,000 people.
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has more than 15 years of experience working with mesothelioma survivors and their families. In addition to being the nation’s most trusted source for mesothelioma information, it provides assistance through patient advocacy, VA claims, a Doctor Match program, support groups and webinars. The Mesothelioma Center helps people in Pennsylvania find the best possible mesothelioma treatment within the state.
Top Mesothelioma Cancer Centers in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers many options when it comes to cancer treatment centers. How do you choose which center is right for you? A mesothelioma diagnosis is life-altering. Choosing the treatment center that is best for you is an important personal decision.
When choosing a cancer treatment center, consider these factors:
- Are they accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer?
- Are they a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center?
- Do they provide palliative care in addition to surgical and oncology services?
Several cancer centers in Pennsylvania specialize in mesothelioma care. The Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania has the Mesothelioma and Pleural Disease Program. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center has the Mesothelioma Specialty Care program. Temple Health in Philadelphia has both the Temple Health Lung Center and the Fox Chase Cancer Center. Allegheny General Hospital is one of the best thoracic surgery centers in the U.S.
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Year Built: 1973
Number of Physicians: 9
Allegheny General Hospital
320 E. North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Year Built: 1885
Number of Beds: 631 beds at Allegheny General
Number of Physicians: 3
Temple Health Lung Center
3401 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140
Year Built: 1986
Number of Beds: 722
Number of Physicians: 1
Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111
Year Built: 1974
Number of Beds: 100 beds devoted to cancer treatment
Number of Physicians: 5
Pennsylvania Doctors Who Treat Mesothelioma
Finding the right mesothelioma doctor is as important as finding the right cancer treatment center. Mesothelioma treatment will continue throughout your life, so you want to find someone you feel comfortable with.
When choosing a mesothelioma doctor in Pennsylvania, be sure to consider:
- Is the doctor knowledgeable and confident?
- Do they have experience with your specific type of mesothelioma?
- Do they make you feel comfortable and respected?
Finding the right cancer doctor doesn’t mean just finding the best cancer doctor. You have to find the best cancer doctor for you. Be sure to find someone who is a good fit for your long-term treatment. You need to build a strong working relationship based on trust and respect. You and your doctor need to become a team to work together throughout your mesothelioma journey.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Keith Cengel
Pleural Specialist | Radiation Oncology
Expertise: Photodynamic Therapy Clinical Trials
Languages: English
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Christine A. Ciunci
Pleural Specialist | Hematology
Expertise: Research Immunotherapy
Languages: English
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Joseph S. Friedberg
Pleural Specialist | Thoracic Surgery
Expertise: Lung-Sparing Surgery Clinical Trials Research
Languages: English
Barberton, Pennsylvania
Andrew Haas
Pleural Specialist | Pulmonary Medicine
Expertise: Diagnostics CAR T-Cell Therapy
Languages: English
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Giorgos Karakousis
Peritoneal Specialist | Surgical Oncology
Expertise: Cytoreductive Surgery HIPEC
Languages: English, Greek
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Anthony R. Lanfranco
Pleural Specialist | Pulmonology
Expertise: Minimally Invasive Procedures Pleural Mesothelioma
Languages: English
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Corey J. Langer
Pleural Specialist | Thoracic Oncology
Expertise: Multimodality Therapy Immunotherapy
Languages: English
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Edmund K. Moon
Pleural Specialist | Interventional Pulmonology
Expertise: Respiratory Disease Pleural Mesothelioma Immunotherapy
Languages: English
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sunil Singhal
Pleural Specialist | Thoracic Surgery
Expertise: Minimally Invasive Surgery Bronchoscopy
Languages: English
Clinical Trials and Cancer Research in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to world-class cancer research. The Fox Chase Cancer Center has some of the world’s leading cancer researchers, including Nobel Prize-winning scientists. The Abramson Cancer Center is working with other top cancer centers in the U.S. on a clinical trial for a new T-cell therapy designed to treat difficult cancers, including mesothelioma. Throughout the state, numerous other cancer centers and hospitals are involved in clinical trials that are testing new treatments for different types of mesothelioma.
Participating in clinical trials can give you access to the latest cutting-edge mesothelioma treatments. Are you interested in enrolling in a mesothelioma clinical trial? Let The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com help you find one that’s right for you.
Clinical Trial
Chemotherapy With or Without Immunotherapy for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
This study is testing the addition of atezolizumab and bevacizumab immunotherapy to standard surgery or chemotherapy.
- Condition: Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- Intervention: Immunotherapy
- Locations: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Recruiting: August 2021 – Present
Clinical Trial
Durvalumab With Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment in Advanced Pleural Mesothelioma (DREAM3R)
Patients in this study receive first-line treatment with standard chemotherapy of pemetrexed and cisplatin. Two-thirds of participants will also receive durvalumab immunotherapy.
- Condition: Pleural Mesothelioma
- Intervention: Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy
- Locations: Atlanta, Georgia
- Recruiting: April 2020 – Present
Marian Levin
Pleural Mesothelioma Survivor
Marian Levin, from Philadelphia, was 57 years old when she was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. Aggressive surgery and chemotherapy brought her cancer under control. Hosting Thanksgiving dinner for her family is one of her greatest joys. In 2015, her surgery prevented her from having a happy Thanksgiving, but just one year later she was able to once again host holiday dinners for her children and grandchildren. While her mesothelioma has kept her from doing all of the things she used to do — like traveling the world — her successful treatment has given her back years of life to spend with her family.
Virginia Beach
Pleural Mesothelioma Survivor
When Virginia Beach was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, she was told she probably wouldn’t live more than a year and a half with treatment. She died in 2016 at the age of 88 — more than 10 years after her diagnosis. It took multiple rounds of chemotherapy to get her mesothelioma under control, but that treatment gave her more than 10 years to spend with her dozens of children and grandchildren.
Cancer Support Services in Pennsylvania
Cancer support services work to meet the needs of cancer patients, caregivers and families dealing with mesothelioma. This can include financial support as well as emotional and spiritual support. Both national and local resources are available to help Pennsylvanians with mesothelioma.
Abramson Cancer Center Patient & Family Support Services
The University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center has a variety of services to complement its cancer treatment programs. Support groups, transportation services, spiritual care, rehabilitation services, exercise programs, home care, palliative care and hospice care are just some of the vast number of services it offers to cancer patients and their families.
The American Cancer Society’s cancer resource centers provide free wigs, hats, treatment information and other support for cancer patients. Available services also include help finding emotional support networks, financial assistance and lodging during treatment.
Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia
The Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia offers more than 150 free programs for people affected by cancer. In addition to support groups, networking, lectures and workshops, it offers nutritional programs and mind-body wellness programs. It also organizes social activities, creative programs and services for children and teens.
Mesothelioma Survivor, Caregiver & Family Support
The Mesothelioma Survivor, Caregiver & Family Support group on Facebook helps connect mesothelioma patients and caregivers in Pennsylvania and around the country with other people dealing with mesothelioma. Newly diagnosed patients, survivors and others can share their experiences and offer peer support.
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Resources for Living With Cancer
The Hillman Cancer Center has several services for cancer patients and survivors. It provides an outpatient pain management program, social work services and educational resources. Its Cancer LiveWell Survivorship Program provides expert care for cancer survivors from psychologists, physical therapists, dieticians and other health professionals.
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