In Nebraska, mesothelioma treatment and doctors specializing in this rare cancer are focused in and around Omaha. You can get excellent specialist care right at home if you live in the state and have a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Cancer and Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Nebraska
Two world-class cancer treatment centers are located right in Omaha. One has been recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and both can provide multidisciplinary, advanced care for patients with mesothelioma.
Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
A part of the Nebraska Medicine Cancer Network and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center became an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1999. It has a lot to offer patients with a mesothelioma diagnosis and all cancer patients:[1]
- Buffett offers cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC, an advanced and effective treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma.
- Scientists and physicians work together here to translate research into real benefits for patients.
- The Buffett Center offers CAR T-Cell therapy, an innovative type of immunotherapy showing great promise in treating mesothelioma and other cancers. The treatment involves modifying a patient’s immune cells to help them attack and destroy cancer cells.
- Patients can receive chemotherapy infusions 24 hours a day.
- Patients benefit from teams of specialists that include medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiologists, pulmonologists, social workers, nurses, financial counselors, psychologists, and more.
- The Healing Arts program at Buffett offers art collections and art and music programming for patients.
Henry Lynch Cancer Center
Also, in Omaha, the Henry Lynch Cancer Centers at the Creighton University Medical Center offers expert care for mesothelioma patients at multiple locations. They provide treatment and conduct cancer research. Cancer patients of all types benefit from the excellent services and top medical professionals here:[2]
- Mesothelioma patients at the Henry Lynch Cancer Centers benefit from several treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, hormone therapy, genetic testing, hormone therapy, and targeted therapies.
- Specialists use precision medicine to tailor treatments to a patient’s unique genetics.
- Peritoneal patients can receive cytoreductive surgery followed by HIPEC.
- Lynch offers patients a second opinion counseling session.
- Support services include spiritual care, social work, nurse navigators, counseling, rehabilitation, cosmetology services, home care, and palliative and hospice care.
Mesothelioma Specialists in Nebraska
These two excellent cancer treatment facilities include mesothelioma specialists on staff, along with other specialists who collaborate in the care of patients with this rare disease.
Jason M. Foster, M.D.
At the Buffett Cancer Center, Dr. Foster is a surgical oncologist and general surgeon who can perform abdominal procedures to treat peritoneal mesothelioma. He works with oncologists to perform cytoreductive surgery followed by the innovative HIPEC procedure. He also leads and participates in clinical trials, including those involving peritoneal patients.[3]
Rudy P. Lackner, M.D.
Dr. Lackner is a thoracic surgeon at the Buffett Cancer Center. He performs all types of surgeries related to cancers of the chest cavity, including pleural mesothelioma. He specializes in minimally invasive procedures that help patients heal faster. Dr. Lackner also participates in and leads cancer research studies and clinical trials.[4]
Brian W. Loggie, M.D.
Dr. Loggie is a professor at Creighton University and a surgical oncologist. He specializes in the treatment of rare cancers, including peritoneal mesothelioma. Dr. Loggie helped pioneer cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC for these patients. His ongoing research includes genetics in cancer and studies to improve HIPEC.[5]
Additional Mesothelioma Specialists in Nebraska
- Laxmi Narayana R. Buddharaju, M.B.B.S., medical oncologist and hematologist, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
- Apar Kishor Ganti, M.D., medical oncologist, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
- Erin A. Gillaspie, M.D., thoracic surgeon, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha
- Erik Lewis, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha
Nebraska Clinical Trials Recruiting Mesothelioma Patients
A clinical trial is a study of a new procedure or therapy that has already been tested extensively in a laboratory setting. By the clinical trial phase, it is ready for human participants. Patients with mesothelioma often have limited treatment options and may benefit from trying innovative therapies in clinical trials.
There is currently one trial in Nebraska recruiting peritoneal mesothelioma patients called A Study of Additional Chemotherapy After Surgery for People With Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma.
Researchers are comparing two strategies for administering additional chemotherapy for patients who went through cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC: intraperitoneal and intravenous chemotherapy.[6]
Talk to your medical team if you are interested in trying a clinical trial, as there are benefits but also risks. Whether you participate or not, as a mesothelioma patient, you will not have to leave Nebraska to find excellent, specialized care.
