Minggu, 23 Oktober 2011

VETERAN ASSISTANCE FOR MESOTHELIOMA AND OTHER ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASE

Each state has a network of Veteran Service Officers dedicated to assisting veterans and/or their dependents with filing claims relating to a diagnosis of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. These officers are often located in the county in which the veteran resides, and are responsible for walking them through the process necessary to file for service-related disabilities. Up to 90% of the claims received by the Veterans Administration each year are submitted through a County Veteran Service Office.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer related to asbestos exposure, asbestosis or pleural disease, a Veteran Service Officer may be able to assist you

VA Health Care

UNDERSTANDING THE VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is only one part of the Veterans Administration. The focus of this section is to help veterans with mesothelioma and their families understand the process for enrollment into the VHA system.
There are approximately seven million veterans enrolled in the VHA system. How do you enroll in the VHA system? How long does it take to be established on a team once you are enrolled? How does the system work? Where are the VHA centers located?
The pages linked below are designed to help answer these questions and others. If you are having any trouble with the often-confusing VA system, please feel free to give us a call at 1-877-367-6376
Getting around the VA

Understanding the Veterans Health Administration

Veterans Service Officers

Your DD 214 “The Report of Separation”

VA Treatment Facilities

VA Cancer Centers

VA Outpatient Clinics

ASBESTOS DISEASE

MESOTHELIOMA

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer almost exclusive to asbestos exposure. This is the most serious of the asbestos-related cancers, and may develop from exposures ranging from heavy, daily exposure to minimal exposure. While the latency period of from 20 to 50 years or more is a medical fact, it is often difficult for victims and their families to imagine that this can occur after so long a period of time.
Mesothelioma originates in the sac lining of the chest (pleura) or the abdomen (peritoneum). In the advanced stages of the disease, it is possible to have both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Although mesothelioma is not curable, early detection is a factor in having a choice in treatment options. Mesothelioma specialists and world-class cancer centers, as well as new surgical approaches, chemotherapy drugs and ongoing clinical research all play an important part in helping extend life expectancy and in increasing quality of life.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
The early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-specific, and may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include shortness of breath, chest pain and/or persistent cough. A chest x-ray may show a build-up of fluid called pleural effusion. Less common symptoms are fever, night sweats and weight loss. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include pain or swelling in the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or swelling of the feet. It is important to keep in mind that these symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other less serious diseases. Only your doctor can make a definitive diagnosis, and while mesothelioma may be suspected by using imaging techniques such as x-rays or CT scans, in most cases it can only be confirmed through a tissue biopsy.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Traditional approaches such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are most commonly used in the treatment of mesothelioma, however, multi-modality treatments which combine all three methods are now widely accepted. Other still experimental approaches include gene therapy, photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy. There are also a number of promising new drugs being evaluated in the clinical trial system. Contact us for more information on treatment. Veterans and their families may also be eligible for accommodation in a Fisher House if treatment is taking place at a major military or VA medical center.

LUNG CANCER

Asbestos is the most common industrial substance known to cause lung cancer. When asbestos fibers break apart, microscopic particles are released into the air. These fibers are easily inhaled and can lodge in the lungs, damaging cells and increasing the risk of cancer. The risk of asbestos-related lung cancer is substantially higher for those who were, or are now smokers, as opposed to those who have never smoked.
Symptoms
Symptoms of lung cancer include persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, repeated pneumonia or bronchitis, fatigue, loss of appetite or weight loss.
Treatment
Options for the treatment of lung cancer depend on factors such as the size, location and type of the cancer, and the overall health of the patient. As with all cancers, early diagnosis may be the most important element in a successful treatment program.

ASBESTOSIS

Asbestosis is a form of diffuse pulmonary fibrosis caused exclusively by inhaling asbestos fiber. It is a chronic and irreversible lung condition characterized by scarring of the lower lobes of the lungs, leading to a decrease in healthy tissue. As a result, the lungs become stiff and do not allow for normal expansion and contraction.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the chest, chest pain, a crackling sound in the chest or clubbing of the fingers. Diagnosis of asbestosis is generally made through a chest x-ray, with the films interpreted by a Certified B-reader, or through a high resolution CT scan.
Treatment
Since asbestosis is a progressive disease, monitoring on a regular basis is essential following a diagnosis. If the disease worsens, inhalers or oxygen may be necessary to alleviate discomfort.

MESOTHELIOMA AND VETERANS

Mesothelioma and Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. military services are particularly at risk for mesothelioma because so muchasbestos was used by the military. Throughout the 20th Century the Navy and other branches of the military employed asbestos products in ships, buildings, and other military facilities, and thousands of servicemen and women came into contact with asbestos fibers.
Widespread Asbestos Exposure
Members of all uniformed services were exposed to asbestos on duty, as were civilian defense employees, military contractors, and people in the merchant marines. Boilermen, Enginemen, Electicians, Pipefitters, and many other jobs brought servicemen into close contact with asbestos insulation, cements, ceiling tiles, brakes, and other materials.
Thousands of Navy and Cost Guard ships were constructed with asbestos, which had physical properties that made it ideal for the vessels of the era. The health problems caused by inhaling asbestos fibers don’t show up for decades, but when they do, they can be serious. Literally hundreds of materials used by the Navy and other services included asbestos. Check out the list of products we have identified that were made with asbestos and that led to exposure of Navy personnel.
VA Assistance
The Department of Veterans Affairs serves veterans in many ways, including the world-class medical system at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) If you are eligible, these facilities can be an invaluable part of your health care. See our section on navigating your way through the VHA.
Like any large organization, the Department of Veterans Affairs can be difficult to find your away around in, and other federal and state programs for veterans are also hard to find and to identify if you qualify for. The VA has established a network of Veteran Service Officers at the county level throughout the United States. Click here to find a list of officers in your state.
Getting checked out and treated for asbestos diseases
Asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis can lie dormant for decades beforesymptoms start to show. Doctors who suspect mesothelioma will ask about your exposure to asbestos, and most people find this difficult to remember, especially if it happened decades ago. Check out our list of Naval Vessels for places where you might have been exposed, as well as our list of shipyards and asbestos-containing materials used by the military. If you worked with any of these materials or in any of these locations, be sure to tell your doctor during examinations. Early detection is the best defense against asbestos diseases.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our site has extensive information on treatment. Contact us if you need help finding a doctor or medical center that can handle this form of cancer.
The VHA has designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers throughout the country. These are large hospitals with experienced oncologists and nursing staffs. The VA also has established, at a community level, outpatient clinics that provide medical care for eligible veterans. Click here for a list of outpatient clinics by state.
Support for veterans with mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Web attempts to be the most comprehensive mesothelioma website on the Internet. If you can’t find what you are looking for on the site, let me know at 877-367-6376 and we will attempt to answer your questions.

MESOTHELIOMA AND ASBESTOS INFORMATION FOR VETERANS

We have prepared this section of our mesothelioma web site for veterans of the U.S. military services. Because there have been so many veterans exposed to asbestos during their service in the military, veterans are particularly at risk for mesothelioma. Throughout the 20th century the Navy and other branches of the military had asbestos products in ships, buildings, and other military facilities, and thousands of servicemen and women came into contact with asbestos fibers.

MORE RESOURCES FOR VETERANS

Military Asbestos Exposure

Getting around the VA

VA Treatment Facilities

About Mesothelioma

MILITARY ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

Members of all uniformed services were exposed to asbestos on duty, as were civilian defense employees, military contractors, and people in the merchant marines. Boilermen, enginemen, electricians, pipefitters, and many other jobs brought servicemen into close contact with asbestos insulation, cements, ceiling tiles, brakes, and other materials.
Thousands of Navy and Coast Guard ships were constructed with asbestos, which had physical properties that made it ideal for the vessels of the era. The health problems caused by inhaling asbestos fibers don’t show up for decades, but when they do, they can be serious. Literally hundreds of materials used by the Navy and other services included asbestos. Check out our lists of products we have identified that were made with asbestos and that led to exposure of Navy personnel. Navy Asbestos Materials

VA ASSISTANCE

The Department of Veterans Affairs serves veterans in many ways, including the world-class medical system at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). If you are eligible, these facilities can be an invaluable part of your health care. For more information and guidance, see our section on navigating your way through the VHA.
Like any large organization, the Department of Veterans Affairs can be difficult to find your away around in, and other federal and state programs for veterans are also hard to find and to identify if you qualify for. The VA has established a network of Veteran Service Officers at the county level throughout the United States. Click here to find a list of officers in your state.

GETTING CHECKED OUT AND TREATED FOR ASBESTOS DISEASES

Asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis can lie dormant for decades beforesymptoms start to show. Doctors who suspect mesothelioma will ask about your exposure to asbestos, and most people find this difficult to remember, especially if it happened decades ago. Check out our list of Naval Vessels for places where you might have been exposed, as well as our list of shipyards and asbestos-containing materials used by the military. If you worked with any of these materials or in any of these locations, be sure to tell your doctor during examinations. Early Detection is the best defense against asbestos diseases.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our site has extensive information on treatment. Contact us if you need help finding a doctor or medical center that can handle this form of cancer.
The VHA has designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers throughout the country. These are large hospitals with experienced oncologists and nursing staffs. The VA also has established, at a community level, outpatient clinics that provide medical care for eligible veterans. Click herefor a list of outpatient clinics by state.

SUPPORT FOR VETERANS WITH MESOTHELIOMA

Mesothelioma Web attempts to be the most comprehensive mesothelioma website on the Internet. If you can’t find what you are looking for on the site, let us know at 877-367-6376 and we will attempt to answer your questions.

MESOTHELIOMA AND VETERANS

MESOTHELIOMA & VETERANS

YOUR ONCOLOGIST

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, your oncologist is probably the one doctor you will see the most often. This doctor will coordinate your care and treatment throughout the course of your illness. The field of clinical oncology is divided into three separate disciplines, medical oncology, surgical oncology and radiation oncology, and each type of oncologist completes different medical training and has different qualifications. Mesothelioma patients may be treated by two or even all three types of oncologists, since many patients combine two or more modes of treatment.

Medical oncologists specialize in treating cancer with chemotherapy, and work in conjunction with primary care doctors and other medical specialists.
Surgical oncologists specialize in the surgical aspects of cancer, including biopsy procedures, and may focus on a specific type of cancer, such as mesothelioma.
Radiation oncologists specialize in treating cancer with radiation therapy.

It is the role of the medical oncologist to explain your diagnosis and the stage of your disease, and taking these things into consideration, discuss treatment options and recommend what may be best in your particular case. It is his or her goal to give the best aggressive care possible, while at the same time, offering pain management and symptom control.
You will probably be referred to a local oncologist once your diagnosis has been confirmed, however, since mesothelioma is a rare cancer, you may find this particular oncologist has treated a small number of mesothelioma cases. This does not mean the doctor is not qualified to treat you, but simply that their knowledge of the disease may be somewhat limited, and they may not be able to answer every question you may have regarding your specific type of cancer. If it is important to you and your family to deal with someone more specialized in the areas of pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma, there are oncologists on staff at major cancer centers or research institutions who might better fit your needs. The most important factor, in any event, is that you feel comfortable with your care and feel confident in your relationship with your oncologist.

YOUR HEALTH CARE TEAM

A diagnosis of mesothelioma brings with it one of the most difficult challenges you or your loved one will ever face. One of the most important things to remember, however, is that there are resources to help with every aspect of care, and that you or your loved one is at the center of the health care team that will provide help in many different forms. Remember also that in addition to your doctor you can also get a second opinion from another physician.
You, the Patient
Your role as the most important member of the team is to be a good consumer by gathering information and asking questions. Following are some easy ways to make the most of your appointment times with other members of your medical team:

Once you know the day and time of your appointment, start a list of questions you want to ask that particular team member. These questions could be about mesothelioma itself, about test results or about treatments you are undergoing or considering. It is also a good idea to write down any symptoms you may be experiencing so that they can be addressed at this time. If there is something you don’t completely understand, ask to have it explained in simpler terms. Above all, don’t be embarrassed to ask questions or request clarifications.
If possible, take along another person who can take notes, ask additional questions or record your appointment for later review. Sometimes it can be helpful to return home and play back what was discussed.
Ask for written material or brochures that can help in making treatment or care decisions . These might include information on nutrition, pain management, support groups or hospice or home care.

Other than your doctors, who could include your primary care doctor, surgeons, medical oncologists, and/or radiation oncologists, you will probably have the most contact with your nursing staff and your social worker. These medical professionals can be your best source of practical assistance when trying to navigate the waters of a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Nurses
All specialized cancer treatment facilities have nurses who are familiar with implementing the cancer treatment plan initialized by your doctor, and are trained to administer medication, monitor side effects and conduct routine tests. Whether you are a hospital inpatient or outpatient, you can benefit greatly from developing a strong working relationship with your nursing staff.
You may also request home visits by a registered nurse, if necessary. If approved by your doctor, these visits may be covered under insurance. Be sure to check with your individual insurance provider for details. Another medical professional you might encounter is aphysician’s assistant.
Social Workers
Social workers are a good starting point for newly diagnosed patients who are overwhelmed by their diagnosis and the many things that have to be accomplished and decided.
Some types of social workers include:

Oncology social workers specialize in assisting those diagnosed with cancer. Most cancer treatment facilities have certified oncology social workers on staff.
Clinical social workers specialize in providing services aimed at family therapy and counseling, or counseling for those coping with a serious illness.
Hospital social workers can help find resources in your local area such as home care, transportation services or support groups, and can also help you understand your diagnosis, your treatments and other care options.

Psychiatrists and Psychologists
Because of the emotional issues surrounding a mesothelioma diagnosis, some patients or their family members may benefit from the help of someone trained to deal with depression, anxiety or inability to cope. Don’t be afraid to ask for this type of help for yourself or your loved one – good emotional health is essential to quality of life.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in providing psychotherapy and other general psychological services to their patients. They are licensed to prescribe medications such as antidepressants and sleep aids. (Related: concerns about drug addition during cancer treatment.)
Psychologists can provide many of the same services as a psychiatrist such as counseling for depression, anxiety, etc., however, they are not medical doctors. Most have PhD’s in psychology and counseling.

Nutritionists and Dietitians
Nutrition is another area that can greatly affect quality of life. Many patients lose weight because of anxiety associated with the diagnostic process, subsequent treatments or the natural progression of mesothelioma. Working with a nutritionist or dietitian as soon after diagnosis as possible is one of the most important benefits you can obtain from your health care team. These professionals can help you be sure you receive enough calories, vitamins and protein to maintain a healthy weight, as well as tailoring a program for those with concurrent health problems such as diabetes or high cholesterol. They can also suggest ways to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy or other aggressive treatment.
Most local hospitals have registered dietitians on staff, or you can ask your doctor to recommend someone in your area. As with other health care needs, check to see whether these services are covered under your insurance. If they are not, there may be community-based services available in your area at no cost.
More on multidisciplinary care in mesothelioma treatment.
Hospice and Home Care

Hospice care is palliative in nature, and provides comfort care by helping to control a patient’s physical symptoms as well as offering emotional and spiritual support. Although in most cases, care is provided at home, there are also hospice facilities that provide full-time care in a hospital setting. You can discuss the benefits of hospice with your doctor, nurse or social worker.
Home care provides assistance in the home with daily activities such as bathing, meal preparation or household chores. These services are usually provided by a home health aide, and may or may not be under the supervision of a nurse. Ask your doctor, nurse or social worker for Home Health Care Agencies in your area.

CANCER CENTERS

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTERS
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has designated 40 cancer centers throughout the United States as “Comprehensive” centers. These elite centers have been recognized for their focus on scientific excellence and have dedicated themselves to the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer, including malignant mesothelioma. Following is a list of Cancer Centers by state.
For veterans wishing to be treated at a Veterans Health Administration (VA) cancer care facility,click here for a listing by state.
Alabama
UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
1802 6th Avenue, S.
Birmingham, AL 35294
Request an appointment: (800) UAB-0933 or (205) 975-8222 or (205) 934-5077
Arizona
Arizona Cancer Center
P.O. Box 245024
1515 N. Campbell Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85724
Request an appointment: (520) 626-7685
California
City of Hope National Medical Center
1500 E. Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010
Request an appointment: (866) 434-HOPE (4673) or (626) 256-HOPE (4673)
University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Moores Cancer Center
3855 Health Sciences Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093
Request an appointment: (866) 773-2703 or (858) 822-6200 or (858) 822-1222
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
10833 Le Conte Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Request an appointment: (800) 825-2631 or (310) 825-5268
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
1441 Eastlake Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Request an appointment: (800) USC-CARE or (323) 865-0816
University of California, Irvine (UCI) Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
101 The City Drive, S.
Orange, CA 92868
Request an appointment: (877) UCI-DOCS (824-3627) or (714) 456-6310
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Comprehensive Cancer Center
1430 3rd Street
Room HD-371, UCSF Box 0128
San Francisco, CA 94158-9001
Request an appointment: (888) 689-8273 or (415) 885-7777 or (415) 502-1710
Stanford University Comprehensive Cancer Center
875 Blake Wilbur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
Request an appointment: (650) 498-6000
Colorado
University of Colorado Cancer Center
P.O. Box 6508, Mail Stop F434
13001 E. 17th Place
Aurora, CO 80045
Request an appointment: (866) 512-8222 or (720) 848-0300
Connecticut
Yale Cancer Center
333 Cedar Street, Box 208028
New Haven, CT 06520-8028
Request an appointment: (203) 785-4191 or (203) 785-4371
District of Columbia
Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University
3800 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington, DC 20057
Request an appointment: (202) 444-2223 or (202) 687-2110
Florida
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
12902 Magnolia Drive
Tampa, FL 33612
Request an appointment: (888) 860-2778 or (813) 979-3980 or (813) 615-4261
Illinois
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
303 E. Superior St.
Suite 3-125
Chicago, IL 60611
Request an appointment: (866) LURIE-CC (587-4322) or (312) 908-5250
University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center
5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 2115
Chicago, Illinois 60637-1470
(773) 702-6180
Iowa
University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
Request an appointment: (319) 356-4200 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (M-F)
(800) 777-8442 or (319) 353-8620 or
(319) 384-8442 (After hours)
Maryland
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
401 N. Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21231
Request an appointment: (410) 955-5222 or (410) 955-8822
Massachusetts
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
44 Binney Street
Boston, MA 02115
Request an appointment: (877) 332-4294 or (877) 420-3951 or (617) 632-2100
Michigan
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Request an appointment: (800) 865-1125 or (734) 936-1831
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
4100 John R
Detroit, MI 48201
Request an appointment: (800) KARMANOS (527-6266)
Minnesota
University of Minnesota Cancer Center
MMC 806, 420 Delaware Street, S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Request an appointment: (612) 624-8484 or (888) 226-2376 )
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
200 First Street, SW
Rochester, MN 55905
Request an appointment: (507) 538-3270 or (507) 266-4997
Missouri
Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine
660 S. Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
Request an appointment: (877) 251-6485 or (314) 747-3046 or (314) 362-8020
New Hampshire
Norris Cotton Cancer Center
One Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, NH 03756
Request an appointment: (603) 653-9000
New Jersey
Cancer Hospital of New Jersey at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
195 Little Albany Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Request an appointment: (732) 828-3000 or (732) 235-8064
New York
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY 14263
Request an appointment: (800) ROSWELL (767-9355) or (716) 845-5772
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
New York, NY 10021
Request an appointment: (800) 525-2225 or (212) 639-2000
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
161 Fort Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10032
Request an appointment: (877) NYP-WELL (697-9355) or (212) 851-5273
North Carolina
University of North Carolina (UNC) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
450 West Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Request an appointment: (866) 828-0270 or (919) 966-3036
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
2424 Erwin Road
Durham, NC 27705
Request an appointment: (888) ASK-DUKE (275-3853)
Wake Forest University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
Request an appointment: (800) 446-2255 or (336) 716-2255 or (336) 716-7971
Ohio
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ireland Cancer Center
11100 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
Request an appointment: (800) 641-2422 or (216) 844-8562
Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital & Richard J. Solove Research Institute
300 W. 10th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
Request an appointment: (800) 293-5066 or (614) 293-5066 or (614) 293-7521
Pennsylvania
Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Request an appointment: (800) 789-PENN (7366) or (215) 662-6065
Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
Request an appointment: (215) 728-2570 or (215) 728-3636
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
5150 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Request an appointment: (412) 647-2811 or (412) 623-3205
Tennessee
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38105-3678
Request an appointment: (901) 595-3982
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
691 Preston Building
Nashville, TN 37232
Request an appointment: (800) 811-8480 or (615) 936-1782
Texas
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030
Request an appointment: (800) 392-1611 or (713) 792-6161 or (713) 792-2121
Vermont
Vermont Cancer Center at the University of Vermont
89 Beaumont Avenue
Burlington, VT 05405
Request an appointment: (802) 656-4414
Washington
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
825 East Lake Av E.
Seattle, WA 98109
Request an appointment: (800) 804-8824 or (206) 288-1024
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792
Request an appointment: (800) 622-8922 or (608) 263-8610
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE CANCER CENTERS
UC Davis Cancer Center
4501 X Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
Request an appointment: (800) 362-5566 or (916) 734-5900
University of Chicago Hospitals
5841 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
Request an appointment: (888) UCH-0200
NYU Cancer Institute
550 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Request an appointment: (888) 7-NYU-MED (769-8633)
The Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Center
9500 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44195
Request an appointment: (866) 320-4573 or (216) 444-5501
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD
National Insitutes of Health
10 Center Dr.
Bethesda, MD 20892
Request an appointment: 301-496-2626

FINDING A MESOTHELIOMA SPECIALIST

The following physicians are specialists in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma. You will find links to their web sites, when available and to some of their published articles.They are listed in no particular order with no particular endorsement.
Mesothelioma is typically treated by an interdisciplinary team of doctors rather than by a single physician. You may run into professionals called oncologists, thoracic surgeons, and pulmonologists. Glossary of members of a thoracic oncology care team. More on choosing your mesothelioma doctor.

W. Roy Smythe, MD
Professor and Chairman/Department of Surgery, Texas A&M University System Health Sciences Center, Scott & White Hospital, Temple, TX
Phone: 254-724-2595
Dr. Smythe is currently accruing patients for a protocol involving extrapleural pneumonectomy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). (Click here for an abstract of this trial).
Biography

David C. Rice, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.; F.R.C.S.I
Associate Professor, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Surgery/The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Phone: (713) 794-1477
Dr. Rice’s main area of clinical interest lies in the surgical management of mesothelioma. In collaboration with colleagues in Radiation Oncology, he has furthered research into intensity modulated radiation therapy after surgical resection of mesothelioma. His research has lead to improved ways of preoperative staging of mesothelioma, and he has participated in neoadjuvant trials of chemotherapy and novel targeted agent.
Biography

David J. Sugarbaker, MD
Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA Chief, Department of Surgical Services/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
Phone: (617) 732-6824
Dr. Sugarbaker believes in aggressive treatment of pleural mesothelioma. He is a proponent of tri-modal therapy; extrapleural pneumonectomy, chemotherapy and radiation.
Click here for an article by Dr. David J. Sugarbaker that appeared in the The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, January 1999 (12 pages in Adobe PDF format).
Biography
Lambros Zellos, MD, MPH
Attending Thoracic Surgeon; Clinical Co-Director of the International Mesothelioma Program/Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Dana Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Phone: (617) 525-9657
Dr. Zellos is an Attending Thoracic Surgeon and the Clinical Co-Director of the International Mesothelioma Program. Dr. Zellos is a proponent of tailored multimodality therapy for each individual patient. Appropriate therapy may include surgery such as pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy with chemotherapy or radiation. Dr. Zellos has published several papers on multimodality therapy as well as methods to improve surgical techniques.
Valerie W. Rusch, FACS
Attending Thoracic Surgeon/Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Phone: (212) 639-5873
Dr. Rusch is known for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma. She has published several papers comparing pleural decortication to extrapleural pneumonectomy.
Biography
Raja M. Flores, MD
Chief of Thoracic Surgery Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY
Phone: (212) 241-9466 (ask for Lina)
Dr. Flores is currently the Principal Investigator on a clinical trial of neoadjuvant gemcitabineand cisplatin followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy and high dose radiation, as well as being involved in a trial of neoadjuvant Alimta/cisplatin, extrapleural pneumonectomy and high dose radiation. He has also compiled a 1,000 patient database to research areas of failure, and how to improve treatments for mesothelioma.
Biography
Paul H. Sugarbaker, MD, FACS, FRCS
Director, Surgical Oncology/Washington Cancer Institute, Washington, DC
Phone: (202) 877-3908
Dr. Sugarbaker is a specialist in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma using a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
Brian W. Loggie, MD
Professor of Surgery, Creighton University Medical School; Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology; Director of Cancer Center/Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Phone: (402) 280-4100
Dr. Loggie specializes in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma and peritoneal carcinomatosis. His protocol, based on eligibility, involves surgical debulking in combination with intraperitoneal heated chemotherapy.
Biography
David L. Bartlett, MD
Professor of Surgery, Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology/UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: (412) 692-2852
Dr. Bartlett has particular expertise in the management of advanced, complex abdominal malignancies. He also has a research interest in treating advanced carcinomas in the peritoneal cavity, including peritoneal mesothelioma.
Claire F. Verschraegen, MD
Director, Clinical Trial Office and Investigational Drug Program/Cancer Research and Treatment Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Phone: (505) 272-4551
Dr. Verschraegen is currently conducting a front-line Alimta/gemcitabine trial for peritoneal mesothelioma patients. She also offers the following Phase I trials for patients who have already been treated with Alimta:
* Phase I Study of Capecitabine with Cisplatin and Irinotecan in Patients with Advanced Malignancies
* Phase I Study of Intravenous TZT-1027 and Gemcitabine, Administered on Day 1 and Day 8 of a Three Week Course in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
* Phase I Study of Flavoperidol in Combination with Gemcitabine and Irinotecan in Patients with Metastatic Cancer
Biography
David P. Mason, MD
Staff Surgeon, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery/Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
Phone: (216) 444-4053
Dr. Mason is a proponent of aggressive multimodality therapy for malignant mesothelioma. This includes extrapleural pneumonectomy, chemotherapy and radiation with Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). Cleveland Clinic Foundation has a multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology team with extensive experience and clinical trials in the management of malignant mesothelioma.
Biography
David M. Jablons, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery Chief, General Thoracic Surgery/UCSF Mt. Zion Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
Phone: (415) 885-3882
Dr. Jablons treats pleural mesothelioma with a radical pleurectomy/decortication and is researching other therapies.
Biography
Lary A. Robinson, MD
Director, Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Principal Thoracic Surgical Oncologist/H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL
Phone: (813) 972-8412
Dr. Robinson is a member of the multidisciplinary thoracic oncology group at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center which evaluates and treats all stages of mesothelioma. He is also involved in clinical research programs for lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Biography
Craig W. Stevens, MD, PhD
Division Chief, Radiation Oncology/H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute/Tampa, FL
Phone: (813) 972-8424
Biography
Robert N. Taub, MD
Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons/New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
Phone: (212) 305-4076
Dr. Robert Taub is a medical oncologist who directs the Connective Tissue Oncology Programat the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, where there are a number of ongoing multimodality studies of patients with pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. The Center is based at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Click here for a press release announcing a new multimodality study..
Biography
Daniel Sterman, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine/University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 614-0984
Dr. Sterman is the co-author of several informative articles on treatment and clinical trials for pleural mesothelioma.
Biography
Eric Vallieres, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery, Section of General Thoracic Surgery/University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA
Phone: (206) 598-4477
Dr. Vallieres uses a multidisciplinary approach to thoracic malignancies and related clinical trials. Please see Medical Journal & News Articles for an article Dr. Vallieres co-authored on Induction Chemotherapy, Extra Pleural Pneumonectomy And Adjuvant Fast Neutron Radiationtherapy For Pleural Mesothelioma (Dmm).
Biography
Stephen C. Yang, MD
Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery/Associate Professor of Surgery and Oncology/Surgical Director, Lung Transplantation Program/Director, Thoracic Oncology Program/Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
Phone: (410) 614-3891
Biography
Mark J. Krasna, MD
Medical Director of the Cancer Institute at St. Joseph Medical Center/Towson, MD
Phone: (410) 427-2220
Dr. Krasna is the former Head of the Division of Thoracic Surgery, Professor of Surgery and Associate Director for Surgical Oncology in the Greenebaum Cancer Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dr. Krasna is a leader in the development of thoracic surgery. He is the author of the first textbook on thoracoscopic surgery and has instructed surgeons worldwide on his techniques.
Biography
David H. Harpole, Jr., MD
Associate Professor of Surgery, Thoracic Oncology Program/Assistant
Professor of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
Phone: (919) 668-8413
Biography
Harvey Pass, MD
Professor and Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery/NYU School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center/New York, NY
Phone: (212) 263-7417
Gregory P. Kalemkerian, MD
Co-Director of Thoracic Oncology/University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center/Ann Arbor, MI
Phone: (734) 936-5281
Dr. Kalemkerian directs the multidisciplinary thoracic oncology clinic at the University of Michigan Cancer Center, in addition to collaborating with the thoracic oncology team atKarmanos Cancer Institute, to develop novel clinical trials for mesothelioma patients.
Joseph S. Friedberg, MD
Chief of Thoracic Surgery/University of Pennsylvania at Presbyterian, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 662-9195
Dr. Friedberg is currently the Principal Investigator on a trial of photodynamic therapy for pleural malignancies, and also on a trial combining Alimta/cisplatin, surgery and XRT.
Robert Cameron, MD
UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Phone: (310) 794-7333
The list of physicians above are specialists in mesothelioma and treat it exclusively.
Sources for information on this page: medical conventions, personal contact with oncologists, websites of institutions where specialists work

MESOTHELIOMA SPECIALISTS

INFORMED CONSENT

If you and your health care provider have discussed the possibility of enrolling in amesothelioma clinical trial, and you have found a trial for which you meet the eligibility requirements, you will need more detailed information in order to make a decision on whether or not to participate. This involves understanding all aspects of the trial including its risks and benefits, as well as your rights and responsibilities as a patient. The presentation and discussion of these issues is called “informed consent”. While all medical procedures and interventions are designed to offer a patient some benefit, many of these measures also carry some risk. Great or small, side-effects or unintended threats to health from any medical intervention must be communicated to a patient in a comprehensive and fully comprehensible manner. As required by the American Medical Association’s Code of Medical Ethics, it is every physician’s duty to obtain a patient’s informed consent prior to the administration of any risk associated therapy.
All medical patients have the right to decide what therapies may be employed to aid them, and only a thorough understanding of a therapy’s risks/benefits will allow a patient to provide a physician with truly informed consent.
Informed consent goes beyond your signature on a form, however, and also includes a process that will provide you with ongoing explanations that will help you decide whether to begin or to continue the clinical trial once you have enrolled. Before you make your decision, the investigators conducting the trial will discuss with you:

Purpose of the trial.
Treatment procedures and schedule.
Potential risks and benefits.
Alternatives to trial participation.
Explanation of your rights as a participant.

If you agree to enter the trial, you give your official consent by signing the informed consent document. Once enrolled, the research team will give you frequent updates that may affect your situation, and you will always have an opportunity to ask whatever questions you might have and to address any concerns, therefore, informed consent is an ongoing, interactive process between you and the investigative team.While most people are aware of the fact that formal, patient-signed consent forms are standard procedure prior to many radiological treatments or invasive surgeries, it is less well known that health professionals are also required to obtain informal patient consent for minor laboratory tests or the issuance of pharmaceutical prescriptions. It is in these latter categories that health professionals oftentimes disregard the rules governing informed consent, e.g., a hematology technician drawing blood will rarely, if ever, inform a patient that there exits a miniscule risk of infection from the procedure.
Informed Consent Statutes
Physicians and other health professionals are constantly challenged by the critical task of obtaining a patient’s informed consent prior to the delivery of a medical therapy. More than an ethical issue, statutes in all 50 states require that all medical patients be fully apprised of the attendant risks of any significant medical intervention prior to obtaining their informed consent.
While the specific details of informed consent laws vary from one state to another, health professionals in all 50 jurisdictions may be held liable for negligence, battery, and/or medical malpractice if they fail to meet the burden imposed by a state’s informed consent law. The overwhelming majority of health care professionals in the U.S. recognize the importance of informed consent, and countless relevant studies have explored novel and improved ways for physicians to ensure that patients fully understand all risks that are attendant to any given medical intervention.
Patient Comprehension Levels will Vary
Medical conditions for which treatment is required are myriad and oftentimes extraordinarily complex. Pharmaceutical, radiological, surgical, and other therapies to treat disease are equally numerous and scientifically sophisticated, and as a result, physicians often face the significant challenge of communicating complex scientific information to the lay person. This challenge can be exponentially greater when a doctor must obtain an informed consent from a patient who, for one reason or another, suffers from diminished mental capacity.
All physicians must make a concerted effort to communicate therapy risks/benefits information to patients who suffer from a mental deficiency. This can be difficult to do, and even more so to quantify the effectiveness of a physician’s communications with a patient-what the patient does or does not fully understand can oftentimes be difficult to know. In these and other instances, physicians are encouraged to employ informed consent techniques such as visual and audio aids, questioning patients to test their recall of given medical information, and providing patients with additional written information relevant to their illness and planned medical intervention. Patients who are severely mentally disabled cannot provide doctors with informed consent, and for such individuals, duly appointed guardians will authorize medical therapies in the patient’s stead.