Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that requires specialized treatment. If you live in Mississippi and have received this diagnosis, seek the best care as close to home as you can. There are several excellent oncologists in the state, and top-notch cancer centers nearby.
Mississippi Cancer Treatment Centers
Mississippi has a few cancer centers, but only one is equipped to treat mesothelioma patients. As a rare and complicated cancer, mesothelioma requires dedicated specialists or oncologists and surgeons with relevant experience. The state is home to one cancer center that meets these requirements.
University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Center and Research Institute
The Cancer Center Institute at the University of Mississippi is the most comprehensive center for treatment in the state. Located in Jackson, the Institute is staffed by experts in cancer diagnosis and treatment. For mesothelioma patients, there are many reasons to seek treatment here first:[1]
- Doctors use an interdisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment.
- The interdisciplinary teams can manage complicated and rare cancers like mesothelioma.
- Specialists on teams include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists and radiation oncologists, pathologists, and support professionals.
- Research at the facility advances cancer treatments and provides mesothelioma patients with access to clinical trials.
- Treatments available at the Institute include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, emerging and novel treatments, bone marrow transplants, and palliative procedures.
- Patients also benefit from a variety of support services, like counseling, social work, financial support, patient resources, support groups, translators, and faith services.
Cancer Centers in Nearby States
Mississippi residents have fewer cancer treatment options than other states, but world-class cancer centers are just across state lines. In Alabama, the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center is home to a thoracic surgical program that offers the complex procedures sometimes needed to treat pleural mesothelioma.
In New Orleans, the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center includes a Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Clinic with options for pleural mesothelioma patients. The Center also offers HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
Physicians in Mississippi Treating Mesothelioma
The University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute is home to many excellent oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, and other specialists providing the best cancer care. Among these are some specialists who work with mesothelioma patients.
Wayne S. Orr, M.D.
Dr. Orr is a surgical oncologist offering minimally invasive procedures for gastrointestinal cancers like peritoneal mesothelioma. He is an assistant professor of surgical oncology at the University of Mississippi.[2]
Dr. Orr is also chair of the Interdisciplinary Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at the Cancer Institute. In this role, he has been able to offer patients with peritoneal mesothelioma treatment with HIPEC. He has worked to improve the procedure for better patient outcomes.[2]
Pierre De Delva, M.D.
Dr. De Delva is a thoracic surgeon and leads the general thoracic surgery department at the University of Mississippi. He is also the chair of the Interdisciplinary Thoracic Cancer Team.[3]
In this role, he brings together various experts to provide pleural mesothelioma patients with the best treatment plans. He also brings relevant clinical trials to the department so patients can access innovative procedures and medicines.[3]
Mississippi Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma Patients
Clinical trials give patients access to treatments not yet approved or generally available. They are experimental but have been tested extensively in laboratories. Safety can be a concern, but the risks are often low.
If you would like to participate in a clinical trial, let your medical team know. They can help you weigh the benefits and risks. One trial is currently ongoing with Mississippi locations.
Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Treating Patients With Rare Tumors is a large study that recruited patients with many types of cancer, including peritoneal mesothelioma. Participants receive a combination of immunotherapy drugs in this phase II trial.[4]
If you or a loved one has received a terrible mesothelioma diagnosis, please reach out to your doctor and get referrals for specialists. This is a difficult cancer to treat, and it requires immediate care. Mississippi specialists and nearby treatment centers are available for consultations and treatment options.
