Seidman Cancer Center
The Seidman Cancer Center is Northern Ohio’s only freestanding cancer hospital, and part of the 155-year-old University Hospitals Cleveland health system of 21 hospitals, more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices. The center offers innovative cancer care for patients diagnosed with both malignant pleural mesothelioma and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, and has a robust lung cancer program too.[1]
The University Hospitals system provides care for more than a million patients a year. It recently expanded its Wesley Center for Immunotherapy to enhance the center’s ability to produce cell-based cancer therapies and expand the types of cancers that the Seidman Center treats.
History
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center was established in 1976, and by 1987 it had earned NCI designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Originally established as a partnership between Case Western Reserve and Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals, in 2004 the center expanded to include the Cleveland Clinic. The research done at Case supports all three institutions, as well as the freestanding cancer hospital at University Hospitals, the Jane and Lee Seidman Cancer Center.
The Jane and Lee Seidman Cancer Center is the only freestanding cancer hospital in Northeast Ohio. It was the result of a $42 million gift to University Hospitals from Jane and Lee Seidman, lifelong philanthropists and supporters of University Hospitals and cancer care. Upon bestowing the gift, Mr. Seidman said, “Cancer has impacted many of our loved ones and we are overjoyed to make this gift that may lead to finding cures for cancer.” Mrs. Seidman echoed his words, saying, “We really wanted to make an impact in our community and support UH’s outstanding cancer program.”[3]
Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Care at Seidman Cancer Center
Patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma can receive full spectrum care at the Seidman Cancer Center, where the multidisciplinary lung cancer team is committed to providing advanced diagnostic techniques and treatments. The first step for any patient entering care at Seidman is confirmation of the diagnosis of this rare, asbestos-related disease. Seidman’s specialists rely on tests including CT imaging scans, chest X-rays, MRI scans, and Positron Emission Tomography in addition to thoracoscopic surgical biopsy and blood tests. Once they have ascertained the maximum information on the specifics of the patient’s disease as well as their overall health, the team creates a tailored pleural mesothelioma treatment plant that will consider age, general health, the type and stage of the patient’s mesothelioma, and the patient’s personal goals. Options for treatment include extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleurectomy complemented by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.[2]
Patients diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma will find that Seidman Cancer Center is well-equipped to provide them with cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This advanced and complex procedure has been shown to significantly extend survival and improve quality of life.
Research
Seidman Cancer Center’s state-of-the-art clinical care is supported by the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University. Recognized as an NCI-designated cancer center eleven years after it was founded in 1976, the mission of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of cancer through discovery, evaluation, and dissemination and to stimulate and support innovative coordinated interdisciplinary clinical research on cancer diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control. As the scientists at Case develop clinical applications, they quickly make them available to patients through its partnership with Seidman and with the Cleveland Clinic.[1]
In addition to the research being conducted at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, the physicians at University Hospitals and Seidman Cancer Centers are engaged in numerous clinical trials, offering unique access to patients.
Notable Staff and Mesothelioma Specialists
At Seidman Cancer Center and the affiliated University Hospitals, care for patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer is led by led by the Director of Thoracic Oncology Dr. Afshin Dowlanti. The medical oncology team includes Drs. Melinda Hsu and Deborah Bruno and Chief of Thoracic Surgery Dr. Philip Linden.[2]
Patients diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma can receive state-of-the-art cytoreductive surgery and hypothermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy from Dr. Richard Hoehn and Dr. John Ammori.
