A diagnosis of mesothelioma requires expert care and a team of specialists. Washington, D.C., mesothelioma treatment and doctors see patients in two cancer centers, both staffed by experts in their fields and recognized for excellent patient care and cancer research.
Washington, D.C. Cancer Treatment Centers
Mesothelioma patients in and around the nation’s capital can find excellent treatment without going far. Two major cancer centers here conduct research to create better therapies and procedures. They also provide specialists with experience helping patients with a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Washington Cancer Institute
The MedStar Washington Hospital Center is home to the Washington Cancer Institute, a complete treatment facility for many types of cancers, including mesothelioma. The Institute has several benefits to offer patients with this rare cancer:[1]
- The Washington Cancer Institute is one of few cancer centers in the U.S. with specialists in treating peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare form of this already rare cancer.
- The Center for Gastrointestinal Malignancies treats peritoneal mesothelioma through surgical procedures combined with other treatments, like HIPEC.
- The lung cancer specialists at Washington Cancer Institute can treat pleural mesothelioma.
- Nurse navigators and social workers help patients and their families organize treatments and appointments and access support services.
- Patients can participate in clinical trials here, benefitting from cutting-edge treatments.
Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
The National Cancer Institute recognizes Georgetown University’s cancer treatment center as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Cancer centers with this designation provide advanced treatments and lead cancer research. If you have mesothelioma, Lombardi can provide excellent care:[2]
- The Interdisciplinary Lung Cancer Clinic involves multiple specialists who come together to discuss, evaluate, and plan treatments for patients with pleural mesothelioma.
- The Otto J. Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers leads research into treatments for cancers like peritoneal mesothelioma. The specialists here provide expert care for patients.
- Treatments available at Georgetown Lombardi include chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, radiation therapy, surgery, and targeted therapies.
- The unique Arts and Humanities Program at Georgetown Lombardi provides patients and their families a way to express emotions through music, writing, dance, and visual arts therapies.
- Other supportive services include rehabilitation, nutritional counseling, pastoral care, psychosocial support and counseling, survivorship clinics, and palliative care.
Mesothelioma Specialists in Washington, D.C.
It can be hard to find physicians experienced in working with mesothelioma patients, but Washington, D.C.’s cancer centers staff several qualified specialists.
Chukwuemeka U. Ihemelandu, M.D.
Dr. Ihemelandu works as part of the team at the Center for Gastrointestinal Malignancies at the Washington Cancer Institute. He is a surgical oncologist and helps provide cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma patients. His research is also advancing personalized treatment for better patient outcomes.[3]
Marc Margolis, M.D.
A thoracic surgeon at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Margolis, is instrumental in treating patients with pleural mesothelioma. He performs lung resections and other important procedures and is also an expert in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.[4]
Stephen Liu, M.D.
Dr. Liu is a medical oncologist and the Director of Thoracic Oncology at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is also the Head of Developmental Therapeutics. His research focuses on novel agents and combinations of drugs to treat advanced thoracic cancers, including pleural mesothelioma.[5]
Washington, D.C. Clinical Trial
A clinical trial is a human study of a new medical procedure, drug, or therapy. The purpose is to determine the effectiveness, safety, dosing, and side effects. There are currently no clinical trials with Washington, D.C., locations that are recruiting mesothelioma patients. However, nearby facilities in Virginia or Maryland may have open trials.
A clinical trial can be risky but is generally considered safe. For someone with mesothelioma, it may mean hope for a better outcome. Treatment options are often limited, so trying an advanced treatment has benefits. Talk to your medical team about participating in a trial.
If you live with mesothelioma and are in the D.C. area, consider getting treatment from one of these world-class facilities. Both can provide leading experts, specialists, caring multidisciplinary teams, innovative treatments, and support staff and programming.
