University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center Mesothelioma Treatment

Top Rated Cancer Center in Chicago

The University of Chicago Medicine Cancer Treatment Center is a top-rated cancer center that offers a wide range of services for patients with all types of cancer. The team of top doctors and specialists at the center are some of the best in the country, and they offer tailored treatments to each patient.

The hospital system of the University of Chicago began operation in 1898 at its flagship campus in Hyde Park, IL. The University had previously been affiliated with the Rush Medical College in Chicago before University President William Rainey Harper determined there was a need for their own medical school. Funds became available in the early 1900s, and in 1916, the University’s Board of Trustees delegated $5.3 million for the construction of their own medical program and facilities.

After a brief halt during World War I, the project resumed and reached completion in 1927, costing the University nearly five times the original estimate. Over the next century, the University of Chicago Medicine expanded to multiple facilities and hospitals across Chicagoland, the South Suburbs, and Illinois.

As one of the best cancer hospitals in Chicago, UChicago Medicine has been designated a mesothelioma center of excellence by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. This means that the mesothelioma treatment center meets the highest standards for patient care, research, and education.

University of Chicago Cancer Center’s Mesothelioma Program

The University of Chicago Cancer Center’s Mesothelioma Program is one of the nation’s leading programs for the treatment of this rare cancer. The team of specialists is experienced in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma and offers a comprehensive approach to care that includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. From pulmonology doctors to radiologists, specialists at University of Chicago Medicine are experts in mesothelioma treatment.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (known as the mesothelium). Exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma and with raw imports of asbestos to the U.S. are on the rise, the concern of more cases only grows.

The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural, which affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs. Other less common types include peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the tissue lining the abdomen, and pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the sac surrounding the heart.

One key mesothelioma treatment in the program is known as HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion), and was developed by Dr. Paul Sugarbaker. The medical center has significantly developed the targeted treatment designed to deliver heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen to kill the remaining cancer cells after surgery.

Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine Options

UChicago Medicine Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine – Hyde Park, is the flagship outpatient facility. The Duchossois Center provides state-of-the-art care in a convenient location. The expert teams offer the full spectrum of cancer treatments, from surgery and radiation therapy to targeted therapies and clinical trials.

The location also offers supportive care services to help patients and families cope with the physical, emotional, and financial challenges of cancer. The Duchossois Center contains over 300 exam rooms, nearly 100 procedure rooms and surgery suites. The center also carries some of the most top of the line imaging equipment including PET/CT and MRI scanners.

Mesothelioma Treatment at UChicago Medicine

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for one or more treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. However, the success rates vary depending on factors such as the location and stage of the tumor. For example, if the tumor has not spread outside of that area, a Thoracic surgeon can remove it with a very high success rate.

The multidisciplinary team of specialists at the University of Chicago Medicine offers patients the most advanced treatments available.

The Mesothelioma Team at UChicago Medicine

Mesothelioma doctors at the medical center are some of the best in the country and are dedicated to providing the best possible care for each patient. Some of the doctors at the University of Chicago Medicine include:

Thoracic Surgery

• Jessica Donington, MD
• Mark K. Ferguson, DO

Radiology

• Alexandra Funaki, DO
• Christopher Straus, MD
• Steven M. Montner, MD

Hematology and Oncology

• Lucy Godley, MD
• Hedy Lee Kindler, MD

Pathology

• Aliya Husain, MD
• Thomas Krausz, MD

Other

• Monica Malec, MD
• D. Kyle Hogarth, MD
• Sandy Tun, MD
• Kiran Turaga, MD
• Steven Zangan, MD

Mesothelioma Clinical Trails at the UChicago Medicine

The cancer center plays a large role in exploring new approaches to mesothelioma treatment through clinical trials. Clinical trials at the treatment center are performed in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and drug manufacturers. They are important because they help researchers learn more about how to treat the disease and improve patient care.

Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine are particularly interested in genetics and immunotherapies. Primary research facilities like UChicago Medicine offer a variety of clinical trials and are always looking for new participants. As of July 2022, there are 8 clinical trials currently recruiting mesothelioma patients.

1. Anti-PD-1 Antibody Pembrolizumab in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Patients – This study is a single institution, single-arm, window of opportunity pilot trial of pembrolizumab in patients with resectable malignant pleural mesothelioma.
2. Targeted Radiation Therapy to Surgery and Pemetrexed and Cisplatin for state I-IIIA – This trial studies how well the addition of targeted radiation therapy to surgery and the usual chemotherapy treatment of Pemetrexed and Cisplatin works for the treatment of stage I-IIIA malignant pleural mesothelioma.
3. Olaparib in Patients With HRD Malignant Mesothelioma University of Chicago Medicine – In this study, researchers will give olaparib (a drug) to mesothelioma patients who have specific changes in their DNA (known as gene mutations).
4. Durvalumab With Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment in Advanced Pleural Mesothelioma – Patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) that cannot be surgically removed will receive Durvalumab first-line treatment with standard chemotherapy of cisplatin or carboplatin and pemetrexed.
5. A Phase I Study of IAG933 in Patients With Advanced Mesothelioma – The purpose of this study is to characterize the safety and tolerability of IAG933 in patients with mesothelioma, NF2/LATS1/LATS2 mutated tumors, and tumors with functional YAP/TAZ fusions and to identify the maximum tolerated dose and/or recommended dose.
6. A Phase I-II study of an enzyme inhibitor drug (CPI-0209) to test the safety, side effects, and best dose in human patients with advanced solid mesothelioma tumors and lymphomas.
7. A Phase I study of antibody-drug conjugate SGN-CD228A to examine its effectiveness, side effects, and dosage in human patients with late-stage pleural mesothelioma, non-small cell lung cancer, and other advanced diseases.
8. A Phase I study of an oral molecule inhibitor drug (VT3989) to test tolerability, safety, dosage, and biological activity in patients with advanced mesothelioma tumors.

University of Chicago Cancer Center Address and Information

Mesothelioma patients in Illinois looking for treatment can access care at one of several UChicago Medicine locations. The University of Chicago Cancer Center is located at 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Begin the appointment process by calling 1-888-824-0200. Set up an appointment with a doctor to have your top mesothelioma questions answered.

Disclaimer: UChicago Medicine has no professional affiliation with Mesotheliomahub.com.