For individuals suffering from mesothelioma, it isn’t enough to just go to your nearby hospital for medical care. You will need to find a doctor with expertise in the management of mesothelioma patients, as well as a healthcare facility that is familiar with caring for patients with mesothelioma.
Choosing The Right Mesothelioma Cancer Center
There are several major cancer hospitals located throughout the United States that care for mesothelioma patients and those who have been exposed to asbestos-related diseases. These facilities are home to mesothelioma specialists, such as mesothelioma surgeons and oncologists, as well as other healthcare professionals who are experienced in managing this rare and complex disease.
Choosing the right cancer hospital and treatment facility to manage your mesothelioma is an important decision. While most hospitals have specialists in cancer treatment, few have specialists that are known to care for mesothelioma patients all the time.
Your decision of which mesothelioma cancer center to attend depends mostly on where you are located in the United States and whether or not you are a U.S. veteran. Some mesothelioma centers care for anyone with mesothelioma, while others are V.A. medical centers. These centers only care for mesothelioma patients who were exposed to asbestos while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Here are some hospitals known for their expertise in mesothelioma that are worth considering:
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Brigham and Women’s Hospital is one of the oldest hospitals in the U.S., having first opened its doors in 1832. It is located in Boston, Massachusetts and houses world-renowned specialists known for their management of patients with mesothelioma. This is a cancer center that caters to the public, so anyone with mesothelioma can attend this world class facility with confidence that their mesothelioma will be treated by staff — including surgeons, oncologists, radiation therapists and other healthcare personnel — who are skilled in caring for mesothelioma patients.
The Brigham and Women’s hospital is closely partnered with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Harvard Medical School and it is known throughout the country as a facility that carries an emphasis on the treatment of mesothelioma patients, as well as patients suffering from asbestos-related lung conditions. This is a facility that is home to the world-class International Mesothelioma Program (IMP), which offers the latest in treatments for pleural mesothelioma. Patients with this disease can be confident that their mesothelioma will be treated with cutting edge techniques that have been found to significantly prolong the lives of those suffering from this disease.
Brigham and Women’s hospital cares for mesothelioma patients from all over the country and they offer housing facilities for patients with mesothelioma and their families. This way, you can get the treatment you need without having to worry about things such as housing or transportation.
The International Mesothelioma Program at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital treats hundreds of patients with mesothelioma and was founded by Dr. David Sugarbaker, who is internationally known for his work in mesothelioma. He pioneered the extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) surgery, which is used as part of the surgical management for patients with pleural mesothelioma.
Mayo Clinic
Located in Rochester, Minnesota, the Mayo Clinic sees patients with mesothelioma throughout the world and offers housing and transportation programs for patients needing care.
The Mayo Clinic is one of the most well-known facilities for the treatment of a variety of patients, including those with mesothelioma. Not only do they have specialists in the care of mesothelioma, but the Mayo Clinic is also a research facility that offers patients with mesothelioma a chance to participate in clinical trials that could improve their condition.
Some of the clinical trials you may have access to at this facility are: the Intrapleural Cryotherapy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Study, The Study of Performing Surgery for Resectable Pleural Mesothelioma after Radiation Therapy, Intrapleural Measles Virus Therapy in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, and The Study of Response Rate and Survival from Combined Chemotherapy, Surgery and Radiation Therapy for Patients with Malignant Mesothelioma.
Boston VA Hospital
The Boston VA Hospital is partnered with the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. They care for veterans who are suffering from mesothelioma as a result of being exposed to mesothelioma while a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Boston VA Hospital treats hundreds of veterans with mesothelioma each year and is home to world renowned mesothelioma specialists. Adhering to the highest quality of standards, the Boston VA Hospital is one of the few VA-connected mesothelioma facilities, which makes it a good choice for those who have mesothelioma who are also U.S. veterans.
The hospital is a world leader in mesothelioma treatments and participates in clinical trials that have the potential to prolong the lives of U.S. veterans suffering from mesothelioma.
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
The West Los Angeles VA Medical Center is home to the largest healthcare system within the Department of Veterans Affairs. They treat numerous patients with mesothelioma each year and offer housing and transportation programs for veterans with mesothelioma that don’t live near the Los Angeles area.
The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is accredited by the Joint Commission, which certifies thousands of healthcare programs and organizations in the United States. Being accredited means that the facility has met the highest quality standards in healthcare and is a symbol of excellence in medical treatment.
Veterans with mesothelioma can be treated by healthcare professionals at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center that are skilled in the latest mesothelioma treatments. They can also have access to clinical research for mesothelioma. This means that veterans with mesothelioma may be able to participate in a clinical trial that could provide a treatment method that ultimately improves the quality of life for those who participate.
