One of the country’s oldest and most respected medical centers, Mount Sinai treats a wide range of illnesses and is staffed by a couple of the world’s top experts on mesothelioma. Drs. Raja Flores and Daniel Labow are leading experts in pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma, respectively. Dr. Labow also helped develop hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, the innovative treatment that involves injecting heated chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdomen. Mount Sinai also leads the way in multi-modal treatments for mesothelioma patients.
How Can We Help You Today? Mesothelioma Overview Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of this rare cancer – and what you can do to improve your life expectancy. We would be happy to help you with any questions you have at this difficult time. Learn More About Mesothelioma Surviving Mesothelioma We will match
W. Charles Conway II, M.D. is a surgical oncologist specializing in abdominal cancers, including peritoneal mesothelioma. He currently treats mesothelioma patients at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center in Santa Barbara. Dr. Conway is part of a multi-disciplinary team treating patients with mesothelioma. Education and Training Dr. Conway received his undergraduate degree from Hope College, located in Holland,
David Sugarbaker, M.D. was a leading mesothelioma expert who passed away in August of 2018. A pioneer in research and treatment, he built a comprehensive mesothelioma center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He later led the Lung Institute at Baylor University’s College of Medicine. Early Education and Career
Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal form of cancer that is caused by exposure to the carcinogenic mineral asbestos. Though many women are diagnosed with the condition, it is far more common in men, and this is largely due to the fact that asbestos was most frequently used in male-dominated occupational settings such as steel mills, shipyards,
Researchers around the world are continuing to look for alternative protocols, including state-of-the-art technological breakthroughs. Among those treatment options that are currently being tested is photodynamic therapy, a technique that kills cancerous cells by first photo sensitizing drugs and then activating them with light. Mesothelioma patients are provided with very few options for treatment. The
Complementary and alternative medicine (also known as CAM) includes body-based therapies for mesothelioma. Body-based therapies utilize massage and musculoskeletal adjustments. They are mostly used to ease symptoms and side effects of the disease and difficult treatments like chemotherapy. Mesothelioma Treatments There are various therapies used to treat mesothelioma. Body-based therapies are not direct treatments for cancer.
Immunotherapy for mesothelioma is an emerging treatment that uses the body’s immune system to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors, and treat symptoms. There are various ways to utilize the immune system to combat cancer, including enhancing the body’s natural immune response and supplementing it with synthetic components. Immunotherapy has helped some patients live longer, but
Multimodal therapy for mesothelioma is a combination of two or more cancer treatments. A common combination is surgery with chemotherapy, radiation, or both. Multimodal therapy is currently considered to be the best treatment approach for mesothelioma. What Is Multimodal Therapy? Multimodal therapy refers to a care strategy that involves multiple treatment types. Instead of just
Common side effects of mesothelioma radiation therapy include skin rashes and fatigue. Side effects for pleural mesothelioma patients include difficulty swallowing and pneumonitis. Peritoneal patients may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or incontinence. What Is Radiation Therapy? Radiotherapy uses a beam of high-energy radiation to target and kill cancer cells. A machine produces X-rays, gamma rays,