Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is difficult to treat. If you have received this diagnosis, seek out specialist treatment if possible. North Dakota mesothelioma treatment and doctors are limited, but a few cancer centers in the state, and some not far out of state, can provide good care.
Cancer Centers in North Dakota
North Dakota does not have any National Cancer Institute-recognized cancer treatment centers. It is home to a few facilities that can provide excellent care for most patients. For mesothelioma, it may be better to travel out of state to access specialists.
Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center
Sanford Roger Maris, in Fargo, offers the most comprehensive care in the state. Mesothelioma patients benefit from collaborative teams of medical professionals, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, nurse navigators, social workers, psychologists, and more.[1]
The thoracic surgery department provides complex surgeries often necessary for treating pleural mesothelioma. Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma can receive HIPEC, one of the most effective treatments for this type of mesothelioma. Additional services include genetic counseling, integrative health, radiosurgery, and palliative care.[1]
Bismarck Cancer Center
The Bismarck Cancer Center specializes in radiation therapies, which may be useful for some mesothelioma patients. The experts here use innovative techniques and equipment for more targeted treatment. These include intensity-modulated radiation therapy, high-dose-rate brachytherapy, and surface-guided radiation therapy.[2]
Altru Cancer Center
Located in Grand Forks, Altru Cancer Center offers various treatments for patients with all types of cancer. This facility can help mesothelioma patients who cannot undergo surgery. Physicians provide several types of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biological therapies, hormone therapy, and supportive services.[3]
Cancer Care Out of State
It may be necessary for such a rare, difficult cancer to go out of state for treatment. North Dakota’s options are limited in specialty care, but neighboring states provide other choices not too far from home.
In Rochester, Minnesota, the world-renowned Mayo Clinic is a comprehensive cancer center with specialist teams equipped to treat both peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma. The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha, Nebraska, is another option. Specialists here provide surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy for mesothelioma patients.
Physicians Treating Mesothelioma in North Dakota
True specialists in mesothelioma are not common, but experienced oncologists and surgeons in North Dakota provide expert care for patients with all types of cancer.
Dr. Daniel Almquist is a medical oncologist and hematologist at Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo. He treats patients with various types of cancer, including peritoneal mesothelioma, and leads clinical trials.[4]
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials in North Dakota
Clinical trials are studies of new therapies and treatments. Clinicians recruit patients to participate in testing the effectiveness and any adverse effects of novel therapies. Although they involve some risks, clinical trials are an excellent way for many mesothelioma patients to access new, innovative treatments.
North Dakota has just one study of a new treatment actively recruiting new patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. Chemotherapy With or Without Immunotherapy for Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a phase II trial comparing standard chemotherapy to the combination of immunotherapy with immunotherapy. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients who qualify can access the trial at Sanford Bismarck Medical Center.[5]
If you are interested in clinical trials, talk to your medical team. You may be able to access more trials by going out of state to treatment centers like the Mayo Clinic or the Buffett Cancer Center. These more extensive facilities often host numerous trials.
A mesothelioma diagnosis is a challenge. Finding good treatment is not always easy with a rare cancer, but North Dakota and neighboring states offer residents several options.
