Oregon Mesothelioma Treatment and Doctors
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In Oregon, mesothelioma treatment and doctors are available in several locations. Cancer centers in the state offer some of the best care in the region, even for difficult cancers like mesothelioma. If you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, reach out to find an expert medical team for treatment.
Oregon Cancer Centers
Wherever you live in Oregon, an excellent cancer treatment facility is not far away. These three centers include one recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for patient care and contributions to cancer research.
Knight Cancer Institute
This is the most comprehensive and best cancer center in the state. The NCI has designated it a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only such facility in Oregon.
Located in Portland, Knight is a part of the Oregon Health and Science University. If you have received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, consider the Knight Cancer Institute for your treatment for several reasons:[1]
- Clinical research performed at Knight has resulted in real innovations for patients, including new immunotherapy drugs.
- Mesothelioma and other patients can participate in clinical trials here, benefitting from new treatments.
- Treatments for mesothelioma patients include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
- The Lung Cancer Program includes treatment for pleural mesothelioma with a team-based approach that involves experts in all areas of cancer care.
- Patients who need surgery benefit from the Institute’s surgeons trained in using minimally invasive procedures and robotic-assisted technology.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma patients can receive surgery with HIPEC here, an effective treatment not available everywhere.
- Support and additional services for patients include genetic counseling and risk assessment, a life after cancer program, fertility preservation, animal therapy, interpreters, support groups, social services, and rehabilitation.
Providence Cancer Institute
Providence offers cancer treatment in several Oregon locations: Portland, Clackamas, Medford, and Newberg. With a mesothelioma diagnosis, you can work with doctors anywhere in the Providence system. Providence uses multidisciplinary conferences and experts in all areas of cancer to develop personalized treatments for each patient.[2]
The Thoracic Oncology Program treats patients with all types of chest cancers, including pleural mesothelioma. Through this program, you’ll benefit from the expert team and treatments that include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and innovative treatments from clinical trials.[2]
Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Research Center
Mesothelioma patients in Eugene can get excellent care at WVCI. This facility treats a wide range of cancer types, including mesothelioma. Patients receive individualized treatment plans that may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.[3]
In addition to standard cancer treatments, WVCI offers a comprehensive list of services: support groups, integrative medicine, a pharmacy, second opinion services, patient navigators, nutrition counseling, complementary therapies, and patient advocacy.[3]
Physicians Treating Mesothelioma in Oregon
Even with great cancer centers, finding doctors who specialize in mesothelioma can be challenging. Not many physicians have trained for this rare cancer, but many experienced oncologists and surgeons still treat mesothelioma patients in Oregon.
Paul H. Schipper, M.D.
Dr. Schipper is a professor of surgery at Oregon Health and Science University. He also sees patients through the Cancer Institute and specializes in surgeries to treat thoracic cancers, including pleural mesothelioma. Dr. Schipper is involved in clinical trials and cancer research.[4]
Erin W. Gilbert, M.D.
An associate professor and gastrointestinal surgeon, Dr. Gilbert treats patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. She is one of few physicians who can provide cytoreductive surgery followed by HIPEC. She is also involved in research to develop better cancer screenings and surgical procedures.[5]
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials in Oregon
For a mesothelioma patient, a clinical trial may be the last hope and an opportunity to try new, innovative treatments. Three clinical trials currently need patients with a mesothelioma diagnosis. One is called Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Treating Patients With Rare Tumors:[6]
- This is a phase II trial investigating the safety and effectiveness of a new treatment for rare cancers.
- The drugs being used, nivolumab and ipilimumab, are immunotherapies.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma patients may qualify.
- No results have been posted yet but the study is available now in Baker City, Bend, Clackamas, Coos Bay, Gresham, Newberg, Ontario, Oregon City, Portland, Redmond, and Tualatin.
The second study recruiting mesothelioma patients is A Study of XmAb®20717 in Subjects With Selected Advanced Solid Tumors (DUET-2):[7]
- This is a phase I study.
- Researchers need patients with advanced tumors for several types of cancers, including mesothelioma.
- The novel drug under investigation is an immunotherapy drug.
- You can access this trial at Providence in Portland.
Finally, A Study of SGN-CD228A in Advanced Solid Tumors is recruiting pleural mesothelioma patients. Researchers are investigating a novel compound in several types of cancer.[8]
Living with a mesothelioma diagnosis is difficult, but working with the right medical team helps. In Oregon, any of these treatment centers and specialists can give you options for treatment and a better outcome.
Page Written by Mary Ellen Ellis
Mary Ellen Ellis has been the head writer for Mesothelioma.net since 2016. With hundreds of mesothelioma and asbestos articles to her credit, she is one of the most experienced writers on these topics. Her degrees and background in science and education help her explain complicated medical topics for a wider audience. Mary Ellen takes pride in providing her readers with the critical information they need following a diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness.
Page Edited by Patient Advocate Dave Foster
Dave has been a mesothelioma Patient Advocate for over 10 years. He consistently attends all major national and international mesothelioma meetings. In doing so, he is able to stay on top of the latest treatments, clinical trials, and research results. He also personally meets with mesothelioma patients and their families and connects them with the best medical specialists and legal representatives available.