A Pleural Mesothelioma Specialist on the West Coast
Because mesothelioma is such an uncommon type of cancer, you need to find a doctor who specializes in treating the disease. Dr. Robert Cameron is one of the best in his field. He’s one of the top doctors treating veterans with mesothelioma through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System.
Dr. Robert Cameron is the director of the mesothelioma program at the David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles. He is also the chief thoracic surgeon at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. This is one of the few places in the U.S. where veterans can go for mesothelioma treatment.
Pleural mesothelioma patients who are eligible for medical treatment through the VA can work with Dr. Cameron.
He is one of the lead surgeons in the management of pleural mesothelioma. Dr. Cameron also applies his expertise as a board-certified physician in general and cardiothoracic surgery to treat all thoracic diseases.
If you are a veteran diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, our Free Veterans Packet can help you explore medical treatments and financial assistance options.
The Lung-Sparing Specialist
Dr. Robert Cameron has treated mesothelioma patients for decades. He pioneered a surgical procedure known as the pleurectomy with decortication (P/D), which focuses on ridding the thoracic cavity of all visible evidence of mesothelioma tumors without removing the affected lung.
He has performed this procedure on hundreds of mesothelioma patients throughout his practice.
Dr. Cameron believes the P/D is as effective as the extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) procedure at successfully removing tumors. He said the P/D removes tumors “with much less sacrifice of lung function and risk of having certain surgical complications.”
Dr. Cameron’s Multimodal Treatment Approach
Research has shown that multimodal treatment is the most effective way to extend life expectancies. A multimodal approach involves two or more treatments. These treatments can take place separately or at the same time. Dr. Cameron’s multimodal approach starts with surgery.
A typical treatment plan offered by Dr. Cameron includes:
- Pleurectomy with decortication
- Radiation therapy
- Long-term maintenance therapy with immunotherapy
Using immunotherapy as a long-term treatment is a unique part of Dr. Cameron’s treatment. He uses an immunotherapy drug called Interferon.
“[Interferon] basically controls the tumor cells that are left and keeps them at bay and hopefully prevents them from growing back for years,” Dr. Cameron said. “And we have a number of patients who have actually been on Interferon for as many as 6 or 7 years, and these patients are doing quite well.”
History and Background
As part of his training, Dr. Robert Cameron graduated from the University of Michigan and UCLA and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.
He continued his training by attending the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He then completed five years of residency training in the field of general surgery at UCLA.
Following this, he completed a two-year fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery on the east coast at Cornell University Medical Center.
Dr. Robert Cameron is one of the former directors and a co-founder of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF). He played a large role in many research studies focused on providing gold-standard treatments for patients with mesothelioma.
Patients can now receive better care thanks to Dr. Cameron and other MARF researchers.
Research Pioneer and Advocate
Dr. Robert Cameron has been a pioneer in the research of mesothelioma treatment. He has improved surgical and oncological techniques. He has performed research for the National Cancer Institute, the UCSF School of Medicine, the Stanford University School of Medicine, and the UCLA School of Medicine.
Dr. Cameron travels throughout the United States, lecturing and teaching other surgeons about managing mesothelioma. He has contributed to dozens of scientific research papers.
He has also written prolifically in academic books related to cancer research and the treatment of mesothelioma of the lungs. He also serves as the editor of the academic journal “Practical Oncology.”
Dr. Robert Cameron is also a member of the following associations:
- American Association for Cancer Research
- American College of Surgeons
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
- International College of Surgeons
- International Society for Biologic Therapy of Cancer
- Pacific Coast Surgical Association
- Society of Surgical Oncology
- Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Through his numerous medical affiliations, Dr. Cameron can interface with other surgeons and researchers to put together the best practices in the field of mesothelioma and related lung cancers.
Veterans with mesothelioma can qualify for additional VA benefits. Explore your VA benefit options today.
Get help with:
- VA Disability Claims
- Survivor Benefits
- Finding Veteran Doctors
Seeing Dr. Robert Cameron
Dr. Robert Cameron is one of the best mesothelioma doctors in the world. His work developing the pleurectomy with decortication is unrivaled. Patients who see Dr. Cameron often report a happier and better overall quality of life. He has also expanded his treatment to include seeing more veterans with mesothelioma.
Veterans choose Dr. Cameron because he:
- Is a top surgeon performing the lung-sparing P/D
- Treats veterans at a Los Angeles VA medical facility
- Uses emerging treatments like immunotherapy
Treatment from Dr. Cameron has led to long-term survival for many mesothelioma patients. His combination of surgery, radiation, and experimental treatments is helping patients manage their diseases.
Veterans seeking treatment through the VA Healthcare System may have easier access to this top doctor. Learn More about VA health care and VA benefits now.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The contact information above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly.
