Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer Centers

Mesothelioma is a particular type of cancer, most often affecting the tissue surrounding the lungs, that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Currently, between 2,000 and 3,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, compared with around 215,000 new cases of "traditional" lung cancer during the same time period. Although it may be a small percentage, there is still a great deal of research being conducted on all types of lung cancer, including mesothelioma, and many cancer centers are conducting clinical trials for new methods of treating the disease. Some cancer centers are more focused on mesothelioma than others, and since where a patient seeks treatment can have a major impact on the success of the treatment, it is important to evaluate cancer centers carefully.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be one of the most difficult challenges families will have to face. It is, however, only the beginning. It will be necessary to locate a cancer center or mesothelioma hospital to receive treatment. If the center selected is not near the patient's home, some insurance providers will cover the cost of travel expenses. In addition, social workers affiliated with most cancer centers can help arrange affordable lodging and travel arrangements.

The Differents Between Cancer Centers

Different cancer centers have slightly different treatment plans or approaches. Some adhere to traditional methods, while others embrace a more full approach involving diet and emotional health as well. Some facilities have frequent clinical trials underway for the testing of new drugs or treatment options. Patients should make sure that they are comfortable with the methods the center employs. Most conservative cancer centers will employ a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy. Those that have a more holistic approach may use all of those treatment methods plus gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy.

In many cases, cancer treatment centers are affiliated with university medical schools. Others are simply top rated hospitals that have developed an excellent cancer program. A more recent development is the independent cancer care center which has been founded strictly to treat cancer patients. One important question that needs to be answered when choosing a center is how many cases of mesothelioma has the center seen, since some of them may not have seen mesothelioma patients for several years.

Choosing a Mesothelioma Cancer Center

If the patient has selected a specific doctor, it will be necessary to determine his or her hospital affiliations. Doctors must have "rights" at a specific hospital in order to admit and treat patients in that facility. Sometimes this means that a patient will have to decide between the cancer center he prefers and the doctor he prefers.

Hopefully, the list of cancer centers compiled in this section will be helpful to anyone seeking to choose a treatment hospital. You can also get help with your decision from the Commission on Cancer, a project of the American College of Surgeons. This group evaluates hospitals to make sure that they offer the most current diagnostic equipment and treatment options.

Additionally, the National Cancer Institute ranks treatment centers on three different levels, from a basic treatment center to a comprehensive one. Nationwide, there are 25 NCI designated Cancer Centers, and 40 designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Based on relevance, this site covers 39 of the 40 Comprehensive and 16 of the 25 Cancer Centers, in addition to a number of other non-designated centers.