With a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you need expert care. This rare cancer is difficult to treat, and not many oncologists or surgeons specialize in it. West Virginia mesothelioma treatment and doctors who can provide specialist care are in Morgantown and Huntington, with affiliates in Lexington, Kentucky.
West Virginia Cancer Centers
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, look for treatment and a second opinion at some of West Virginia’s best cancer centers.
West Virginia University Cancer Institute
Located in Morgantown, the WVU Cancer Institute is recognized as a facility that provides excellent patient care and advances cancer research. For mesothelioma patients in the state, this is the premier location for treatment for many reasons:[1]
- Collaborative teams with experts in several disciplines work together to develop individualized patient treatment plans. These teams make care more streamlined, efficient, and effective.
- The Lung and Esophageal Cancer team provides top-notch treatment for pleural mesothelioma with specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology, thoracic surgery, and respiratory therapy.
- The Colorectal and GI Cancer team can treat patients with peritoneal mesothelioma and even offer HIPEC, one of the most effective procedures for this rare cancer.
- Patients at WVU can participate in clinical trials, getting access to new treatments.
- Mesothelioma is challenging to diagnose, but WVU offers a Second Opinion Clinic so that you can feel good about your diagnosis.
- Support services for patients include palliative care, a psycho-oncology program, rehabilitation services, chaplain services, financial counseling, nutrition counseling, support groups, and a library.
Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center
Located in Huntington and a part of the Marshall University School of Medicine, Edwards can treat patients with pleural mesothelioma. The Cancer Center’s Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Program includes experts in all areas of cancer care collaborating on each patient’s treatment plan.[2]
Pleural mesothelioma patients here can receive chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery from experts in their fields. Additionally, patients benefit from support services, including nutrition counseling, psychological counseling, home health care, social work, a survivorship program, an arts program, and support groups.[2]
St. Mary’s Regional Cancer Center
Another cancer center in West Virginia that offers a range of services for all types of cancers is the St. Mary’s Medical Center Regional Cancer Center in Huntington. In addition to cutting-edge treatment options, St. Mary’s conducts clinical trials so patients benefit from treatment advances and may participate and receive innovative therapies.
St. Mary’s is affiliated with the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. This relationship allows the facility to participate in more research and offer more services and treatments to mesothelioma patients:[3]
- Clinical trials
- Leading diagnostic tools and second opinions
- Several types of radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgical oncology
- CAR T-cell immunotherapy
- HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma
- Support groups
- Palliative care
- Hospice
- Cancer rehabilitation
- Nutritional services
- Counseling
Physicians Treating Mesothelioma in West Virginia
The WVU Cancer Institute has cancer experts and physicians with experience treating pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Markey Cancer Center, affiliated with St. Mary’s in Huntington, also has specialists on staff.
James Marsh, M.D.
Dr. Marsh is a surgical oncologist with years of experience helping patients with a variety of cancers. Along with his colleagues at WVU Cancer Institute, Dr. Marsh provides cytoreductive surgery followed by HIPEC for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. Not all medical centers have staff with the expertise and training to perform this procedure that helps peritoneal patients live longer.[4]
Ghulam Abbas, M.D.
Also at WVU, Dr. Abbas is a thoracic surgeon specializing in procedures to treat cancers. These include pleural mesothelioma. Dr. Abbas is trained in minimally invasive surgery and uses this strategy whenever possible to help patients recover more quickly.[5]
Joseph Kim, M.D.
Dr. Kim is a surgical oncologist and directs the Division of Surgical Oncology at Markey Cancer Center. He treats gastrointestinal cancers, including peritoneal mesothelioma. He also performs cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC.[6]
Jordan D. Miller, D.O.
Dr. Miller is also at Markey and is a thoracic surgeon. As part of the Lung and Thoracic Cancer Team, he works with experts in all areas of cancer treatment to help patients with pleural mesothelioma. His area of specialty is the use of minimally invasive procedures.[7]
Clinical Trials in West Virginia
A clinical trial is a study of a new treatment or therapy and is an excellent opportunity for patients with rare cancers like mesothelioma. With limited treatment options, a clinical trial provides another choice and additional hope for a better outcome.
There are currently no clinical trials recruiting mesothelioma patients in West Virginia. However, your medical team can help you find other studies in the region. Big cities nearby, like Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh, are likely to have more opportunities.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and live in West Virginia, you need specialist care. Several treatment facilities in the state have experts in all types of cancer treatments of staff, including those who can treat mesothelioma.
