Pennsylvania mesothelioma treatment and doctors are plentiful, with opportunities for patients to receive excellent care in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. If you have received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, find specialists at one of these cancer centers.
Pennsylvania Cancer Centers
Patients in Pennsylvania with mesothelioma may be facing a difficult journey, but they also have great options for treatment close to home. Four treatment facilities excel in patient care and cancer research. All have been designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers by the National Cancer Institute.
Hillman Cancer Center
The Hillman Cancer Center is housed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centers and is home to specialists in peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma patients also receive excellent care here. The surgical oncology department specifically treats peritoneal mesothelioma, offering HIPEC and working with other departments for comprehensive care.[1]
HIPEC is an innovative type of chemotherapy for abdominal cancers that involves perfusion of the drugs directly in the abdominal cavity. Hillman is unique in also offering HIPEC to patients with pleural cancers. The lung cancer department can coordinate this treatment for pleural mesothelioma patients, along with chemotherapy, radiation, and other supportive services.[1]
Abramson Cancer Center
A part of Penn Medicine, the Abramson Cancer Center is located in Philadelphia. The Cancer Center’s Mesothelioma and Pleural Disease Program is dedicated to helping patients with this rare disease. A multidisciplinary team of experts, the program includes surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pulmonary specialists.[2]
Treatment for pleural mesothelioma here includes a combination of strategies: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy. Patients also benefit from the clinical trials conducted here and support services like counseling, home care, patient education, pain management, palliative care, nutritional counseling, and support groups.[2]
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Fox Chase is a part of Temple Health in Philadelphia. It includes a mesothelioma team that can treat patients with both the pleural and peritoneal forms. They use a multidisciplinary approach to creating individualized treatment plans that may consist of HIPEC for peritoneal patients. Clinical trials provide access to novel treatments.[3]
Several specialists in mesothelioma work on the Fox Chase team. In addition to these surgeons and oncologists, patients benefit from integrative care, nurse navigators, pastoral care, social work, support groups, nutrition counseling, and stress management.[3]
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson University Hospitals in Pennsylvania is a top-notch cancer treatment facility. Treatment here focuses on a team approach, with experts from all areas of cancer care coming together to make plans for each patient.[4]
Mesothelioma patients may receive care through the Lung Cancer Program, the Infusion Center, the Palliative Care Service, and Rehabilitation Medicine. The Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute helps patients with all types of lung and thoracic cancers.[4]
Allegheny Health Network
The Allegheny Health Network and AHN Cancer Center offer treatment for all kinds of medical specialties. Patients benefit from specialists who can diagnose and treat pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Advanced and specialized treatments here include chemotherapy, cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC, and surgical procedures for mesothelioma. Patients can also benefit from immunotherapy and targeted therapies. AHN is staffed by expert oncologists and specialists who are experienced in treating mesothelioma.[5]
Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Specialists
With so many world-class cancer centers in the state, finding a specialist to work with is not difficult. Mesothelioma patients have multiple options.
David Bartlett, M.D.
Dr. Bartlett heads up the surgical oncology department at the University of Pittsburgh Medical College. He focuses on abdominal cancers like peritoneal mesothelioma and was instrumental in developing HIPEC. This type of perfusion chemotherapy is an effective treatment against this type of cancer, and few experts in the country can perform it.[6]
James F. Pingpank Jr., M.D.
Dr. Pingpank works with Dr. Bartlett at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a surgical oncologist trained in cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. In his research, he has shown that this therapy helps extend patients’ lives.[7]
Sunil Singhal, M.D.
Dr. Singhal is a thoracic surgeon at Abramson Cancer Center, specializing in treating several cancers, including pleural mesothelioma. He is the Director of the Center for Precision Surgery and leads translational research. He is a part of the Cancer Center’s Mesothelioma and Pleural Disease Program.[8]
Hossein Borghaei, D.O.
Dr. Borghaei heads the Division of Thoracic Medical Oncology at Fox Chase and leads the team of experts treating pleural mesothelioma patients. He is also a part of the research team that is improving treatments for mesothelioma patients.[9]
Additional Mesothelioma Specialists in Pennsylvania
- Steven M. Albelda, M.D., thoracic oncologist, Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- Wilbur Bowne, M.D., surgical oncologist, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
- Jacquelyn S. Carr, M.D., St. Luke’s University Health Network, Easton
- Keith Cengel, M.D., radiation oncologist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Sricharan Chalikonda, M.D., surgical oncologist, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh
- Neil A. Christie, M.D., thoracic surgeon, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh
- Christine A. Ciunci, M.D., medical oncologist, Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- Hiran C. Fernando, M.D., thoracic surgeon, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh
- Joseph Friedberg, M.D., thoracic surgeon, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- Andrew R. Haas, M.D., pulmonologist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Giorgos C. Karacousis, M.D., surgical oncologist, Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- John C. Kucharczuk, M.D., thoracic surgeon, Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- Sameera Kumar, M.D., radiation oncologist, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- Anthony R. Lanfranco, M.D., interventional pulmonologist and critical care specialist, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia
- Corey J. Langer, M.D., medical oncologist, Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- Gregory Michael Lubiniecki, M.D., medical oncologist, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- James D. Luketich, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
- Melina Elpi Marmarelis, M.D., medical oncologist, Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- Edmund K. Moon, M.D., cancer researcher, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Taine T.V. Pechet, M.D., thoracic oncologist, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia
- Suzanne C. Schiffman, M.D., surgical oncologist, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh
- Matthew J. Schuchert, M.D., thoracic surgeon, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh
- Stacey Su, M.D., thoracic surgeon, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- Joseph Treat, M.D., medical oncologist, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia
- Patrick Wagner, M.D., surgical oncologist, AHN Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh
- Benny Weksler, M.D., thoracic surgeon, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh
- Antoinette J. Wozniak, M.D., medical oncologist, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh
Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma Patients in Pennsylvania
All of Pennsylvania’s top cancer centers conduct clinical trials, studies of novel treatments and procedures. With a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be interested in participating in a trial to access a new treatment.
There are risks and benefits, and you must qualify to enroll. Talk to your medical team about any opportunities. Right now, there are several clinical trials in the state enrolling mesothelioma patients, including these:
- Pembrolizumab in Combination With Chemotherapy and Image-Guided Surgery for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM). In this study, researchers are investigating the use of an immunotherapy drug along with chemotherapy and surgery.[10]
- Adoptive Transfer of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes for Advanced Solid Cancers. Mesothelioma patients may qualify for this trial involving a new biological immunotherapy.[11]
- A Study of Additional Chemotherapy After Surgery for People With Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma. This trial needs patients with peritoneal mesothelioma and is comparing outcomes for patients with the use of intravenous or intraperitoneal chemotherapy following surgery.[12]
If you have received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you can benefit from treatment in Pennsylvania’s leading cancer centers. Some of the best specialists in the country are in the state, providing patients with this terrible disease new hope.
