"An integrated program like ours doesn’t exist anywhere."

Daniel Sterman, MD, Co-Director, Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program

Multidisciplinary Mesothelioma Treatment Program

The Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program is a unique program that consists of a multidisciplinary team of dedicated specialists with a passion and expertise for treating patients with mesothelioma. The Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program offers a true multidisciplinary approach, presenting patients with essentially all treatment options offered worldwide and a number of treatments offered only at Penn.  Led by a dedicated team of professionals, the Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program has one goal, to provide each mesothelioma patient with comprehensive and compassionate care at the highest level possible, both now and in the future.

Mesothelioma Patients Benefit From the Penn Approach

A key aspect of Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program is the Wednesday morning meeting of the multidisciplinary group of specialists who review each case in detail. Each individualized treatment plan is arrived upon after a group discussion – based upon presentation of the case and examination of the patient by all specialists involved. The Program always keeps the patient as the central focus and maintaining interaction among the members in a collegial, respectful, yet spirited, manner.

Promising Results in Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma

Another important component of the Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program is the easy access to clinical trials focusing on mesothelioma treatment. In some cases, the Program is the first and only place in the world to offer certain clinical trials to mesothelioma patients. The use of clinical trials underscores the ultimate goal of the Penn program which is to offer patients the best possible care available and to develop the best possible care of the future for mesothelioma patients.

Learn more about mesothelioma and pleural disease at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center.

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"We are slowly altering the course of mesothelioma towards being a chronic disease, not a lethal one."

Joseph Friedberg, MD, Co-Director, Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program

Mesothelioma is a Rare, but Serious Cancer

Mesothelioma is an uncommon type of cancer that affects the lining (mesothelium) of the chest (called the pleura) or abdomen (called the peritoneum). There are several different subtypes of mesothelioma, including epithelioid, sarcomatoid, biphasic and desmoplastic. Mesothelioma is most often attributed to exposure to airborne asbestos particles and occurs in both men and women. Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals used as a fire retardant.

Types of mesothelioma and pleural disease, include:

• Mesothelioma
• Pleural
• Peritoneal
• Pericardial
• Benign and malignant primary tumors of the pleural space
• Empyema
• Hemothorax
• Metastatic cancers to the pleural space
• Pleurisy
• Pneumothorax

Diagnosing Mesothelioma Can be Difficult

Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases. Pleural specialists at Penn Medicine have significant experience with this disease and employ the most advanced, minimally invasive techniques to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

Experience is Key in Detecting Mesothelioma

The Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing mesothelioma and pleural diseases.  Diagnostic tools used by Penn’s Mesothelioma and Pleural Program include:

• Physical exam and history.
• Chest X-ray.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan.

• Complete blood count (CBC).
• Sedimentation rate.
• Biopsies.
• Fine-needle (FNA) aspiration.
• Thoracoscopy. Peritoneoscopy.
• Laparotomy.
• Thoracotomy.
• Bronchoscopy.

• Cytologic exam.

Learn more about mesothelioma and pleural disease at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center.

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“Many people think it’s untreatable… but we don’t believe that’s the case.”

Joseph Friedberg, MD, Co-Director, Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program

Mesothelioma Can Be Treated

Penn Medicine's pleural specialists develop personalized treatment plans for patients with mesothelioma and pleural disease, designed to give every patient the best possible outcome. Penn's treatment options for mesothelioma and pleural disease include:

Surgery for Mesothelioma

Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma

Chemotherapy and Biologic Therapies for Mesothelioma

Interventional Pulmonology Treatments for Mesothelioma

Learn more about the treatment options for mesothelioma and pleural disease offers at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center.

“Other mesothelioma programs in this country are usually dominated by a single specialty. Ours is a truly collaborative program,”

Daniel Sterman, MD, Co-Director, Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program

Collaborative Mesothelioma Program

Patients who come to Penn Medicine for their cancer care benefit from coordinated care across disciplines and modalities. The expertise of Penn's Abramson Cancer Center in cancer diagnosis, treatment planning and integrated medicine, helps patients who come to Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program receive nationally recognized care that leads to better outcomes and improved quality of life.

Expert Physicians Who Treat Mesothelioma Patients

The team of physicians who treat mesothelioma and pleural disease at Penn Medicine are among the best in the world.  Their specialties cover thoracic surgery, pulmonary medicine, endocrine and oncologic surgery, hematology/oncology, pathology, psychiatry, radiology and radiation oncology.

A patient navigator assists mesothelioma patients with any questions they may have about the Program, and may help to schedule their appointments with the mesothelioma team.

 
Learn more about mesothelioma and pleural disease at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center.