Mesothelioma Doctors and Treatment Centers
Once widely used in construction and consumer products, asbestos causes serious conditions such as mesothelioma, which can manifest decades after exposure. Mesothelioma has a high fatality rate, and millions of exposed workers continue to be affected. Talk to Bergman Oslund Udo Little to locate the best mesothelioma treatment center for your diagnosis. Our experienced mesothelioma lawyers can also evaluate your case to determine if you can pursue compensation from asbestos manufacturers, contractors, suppliers, and premises owners.
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in the United States
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with only one known cause—exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous mineral. Because of its high fatality rate, mesothelioma victims should seek treatment from specialized mesothelioma treatment centers for the best outcomes. Non-specialized cancer centers around the country are not typically familiar with the complex nature of treating mesothelioma and asbestos illnesses.
Mesothelioma clinics and centers are located throughout the U.S. Patients can choose a provider close to home or travel outside their area for specialized doctors and treatment centers. Patients who live far from large cities and universities may be required to travel.
Top Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in the United States
Finding a suitable mesothelioma treatment center requires thorough research and consideration of your needs. Here are some of the best mesothelioma treatment centers in the nation.
Top Cancer Centers by Diagnosis
Each mesothelioma type requires specialized experts. For example, pleural mesothelioma patients need pleural treatment centers and providers. Otherwise, they will not get the treatments they need.
Here are the top cancer hospitals in the U.S. by diagnosis.
Top Pleural Mesothelioma Treatment Centers
Pleural mesothelioma affects the pleura, which is the lining of the lungs. Top pleural mesothelioma hospitals include the following:
- Moffitt Cancer Center is the third-largest U.S. cancer center. It is also one of the only two Floridian National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.
- The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute includes the International Mesothelioma Program. This program was founded by Dr. David Sugarbaker, a pioneer in treating malignant pleural mesothelioma for nearly three decades.
- Mount Sinai Hospital boasts the recently created Women's Lung Cancer Program, which focuses on community outreach, research, and clinical expertise.
- Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center is home to Dr. Jeffrey Velotta, one of the highest-ranking mesothelioma physicians at Oakland Medical Center.
- UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center is where Dr. Robert Cameron, who heads UCLA's Thoracic Oncology Program, currently practices.
Top Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment Centers
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum—the lining of the abdomen. Here are some of the top peritoneal mesothelioma treatment centers:
- Mount Sinai Hospital has the largest WTC Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence and provides long-term medical assistance to people affected by 9/11.
- Hillman Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center specializing in peritoneal mesothelioma care. It is among the largest cancer networks in the U.S., specializing in peritoneal mesothelioma care.
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is a leading treatment center at the University of Miami in South Florida. It provides access to clinical trials and the hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or HIPEC, procedure.
- Ridley-Tree Cancer Center in Santa Barbara, California, is home to Dr. W. Charles Conway, a specialist in peritoneal cancers such as peritoneal mesothelioma.
- The University of Chicago Medicine is where Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler practices. She is an internationally recognized cancer expert specializing in the medical treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma and other abdominal conditions. She designs and leads many innovative clinical trials for patients with these conditions.
Top Pericardial Mesothelioma Treatment Centers
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the pericardium, which is the lining of the heart. It is the rarest type of mesothelioma. As such, there are no specialized pericardial mesothelioma treatment centers. However, many top cancer centers in the U.S., such as the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, may offer pericardial mesothelioma treatments. Contact your treatment provider to learn more about your options.
Why Choose a Specialized Cancer Center for Mesothelioma Treatment?
A specialized mesothelioma cancer center has doctors with expertise in specific treatments for your illness, increasing your chances of recovery.
Finding the Best Cancer Centers for Veterans
The United States Army used asbestos in many products and buildings from the 1930s to the early 1980s. Examples of asbestos-containing products to which veterans were regularly exposed include the following:
- Tiles
- Gaskets
- Automotive parts, such as clutches and brakes
- Insulation
- Fireproofing materials
- Wire insulation and electrical components
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release harmful fibers into the air, which can be inhaled and ingested. Thus, veterans regularly exposed to these materials have an increased chance of developing mesothelioma later in life. Veterans who worked in certain occupations, such as industrial workers, construction workers, and mechanics, are at especially high risk of developing mesothelioma.
Veterans serving their country did not deserve to develop mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. Fortunately, they can get top-notch cancer care and treatment plans from VA treatment centers administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Veteran Treatment Centers
Several centers within the VA health care system offer specialized mesothelioma treatments. These centers have the resources and staff to treat veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Contact the VA to learn about the best veteran treatment center for your mesothelioma diagnosis.
How To Choose a Mesothelioma Treatment Center
To receive proper treatment, you must choose a suitable mesothelioma treatment center. Consider the following when choosing a mesothelioma treatment center:
- Seek a second opinion. Your primary care physician may not suggest the best mesothelioma treatment center for your illness. Accordingly, you should get another doctor's opinion.
- Check if the center is accredited by national review boards. Mesothelioma centers accredited by national review boards have passed rigorous criteria. For example, centers with Joint Commission accreditation must undergo extensive onsite review by a team of health care professionals every three years.
- See if multidisciplinary treatment teams are available. Multidisciplinary care teams consist of specialized professionals from different health disciplines who can collaborate to improve treatment efficiency according to your condition.
- Ensure the center has access to clinical trials and emerging treatments. Clinical trials are research studies that test a surgical, medical, or behavioral intervention on human volunteers. If traditional treatments do not work, you can consider undergoing clinical trials. However, clinical trials may not necessarily improve your health or chance of survival. Talk to your health care provider to see if undergoing a clinical trial is a good choice.
- If you want virtual appointments, see if they are available at the center. Virtual appointments may be easier if you feel too weak to travel to an appointment or live far from city centers.
Benefits of Accredited Cancer Centers
Accredited cancer centers follow strict standards and performance improvement initiatives. As such, they provide higher-quality services. For example, the Commission on Cancer certification ensures the following patient-centered services:
- Comprehensive care, including a complete range of state-of-the-art equipment and services
- Ongoing improvements in cancer care and monitoring
- A cancer registry that provides lifelong patient follow-up
- A multidisciplinary team for coordinating the best treatment options
Other well-known accreditation agencies include the following:
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- National Cancer Institute
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Common Questions About Mesothelioma Cancer Centers
Do all cancer centers treat mesothelioma?
No, not all cancer centers treat mesothelioma. Because it is an aggressive and rare cancer, specialized care from experts is necessary. Consult your primary health care provider for a cancer center treating mesothelioma.
How can I find out what treatments each cancer center offers?
Book an appointment with the cancer center to find out what treatments each offers. Its staff can explain what treatments they provide.
How much does mesothelioma cancer treatment cost?
The cost of mesothelioma cancer treatments depends on the stage and type of your mesothelioma, as well as the treatments you need. Talk to your mesothelioma doctor for an estimate of your treatment costs.
You can then reach out to an Oregon asbestos lawyer or Washington asbestos lawyer to see if you are eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit against the manufacturers, contractors, suppliers, and premises owners responsible for your asbestos exposure. If your lawsuit is successful, you will receive compensation for all or some of your losses.
What accreditations should I look for when choosing a treatment center?
The top cancer hospitals in the U.S. are accredited by national review boards. You should look for the following accreditations when choosing a treatment cancer for mesothelioma:
- Commission on Cancer
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- National Cancer Institute
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network
If you have more questions about mesothelioma cancer centers, contact Bergman Oslund Udo Little. The mesothelioma lawyers at our Seattle and Portland offices can assist with asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and VA claims. Check out our testimonials to read more about how we can help you.
