Spotlight on The University of Chicago Cancer Research Center Mesothelioma Program
With a goal “to identify and develop treatment regimens to improve the quality of our patients’ lives and to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-threatening disease,” doctors and researchers at the University of Chicago Mesothelioma Program are pioneers in the research and treatment of malignant mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma, an unusual form of cancer known to be caused by asbestos exposure, can take up to five decades to be properly diagnosed and is responsible for approximately 3,000 new cases of cancer each year in the United States. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.
The mesothelioma program at Chicago is able to offer patients specialized treatment based on the specific characteristics of their disease. Staffed with oncologists, surgeons, nurses, and imaging specialists, the program focuses on a team approach when treating the patients, and the staff members attend weekly meetings to stay apprised of any changes in cases or in research.
Through their comprehensive and multidisciplinary focus the center has developed many different treatment options and can tailor the right treatment to each mesothelioma patient. The program conducts clinical trials in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, and has a priority of testing new and novel approaches for the treatment of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Program Doctors:
- Hedy Kindler, MD
- Ravi Salgia, MD, PhD
- Aliya Husain, MD
- Samuel Armato, PhD
- Phillip Connell, MD
- Heber MacMahon, MD
- Jai Raman, MD
The information on the University’s website was developed through encouragement and assistance by a mesothelioma patient. The information covers basic and detailed information about mesothelioma, information about approved drugs as well as drugs within clinical trials, and treatment options.
