Dr. Zaid Abdelsattar

About Dr. Zaid Abdelsattar

Zaid Abdelsattar, MD, is a board-certified thoracic surgeon at Loyola University Medical Center who focuses on mesothelioma and other cancers affecting the lungs, chest wall, and thoracic cavity.

He sees people who just received a diagnosis as well as those who want a second opinion on a complex case. He’s able to use different approaches, including surgery, to help patients potentially live longer.

Dr. Abdelsattar also stays active in research alongside his clinical work. He studies mesothelioma, lung cancer, and robotic surgery, and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters that help other doctors treat diseases of the chest.

This combination of surgical skill and ongoing research shapes how he treats every patient.

Looking for a mesothelioma specialist in Illinois? Use our Free Doctor Match to learn whether Dr. Abdelsattar may be the right choice for your care.

What Health Conditions Does Dr. Zaid Abdelsattar Treat?

Dr. Abdelsattar treats diseases and cancers that affect the chest and lungs, including conditions linked to asbestos exposure.

His areas of care include:

• Pleural mesothelioma: A rare cancer that develops in the lung lining after asbestos exposure
• Lung cancer: Cancer that begins in the lungs and can spread to nearby tissue or other organs
• Chest wall tumors: Growths that form in the bones, muscles, or soft tissue of the chest wall
• Mediastinal tumors: These develop in the mediastinum, the space between the lungs that holds the heart, esophagus, and major blood vessels
• Esophageal cancer: Cancer that starts in the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach

He reviews each patient’s diagnosis and works with other specialists to recommend the most appropriate treatment options.

Dr. Abdelsattar’s Approach to Mesothelioma Treatment

Dr. Abdelsattar builds a personalized, multidisciplinary treatment plan for each mesothelioma patient. He bases his recommendations on the cancer stage, the patient’s overall health, the tumor’s location, and whether surgery can remove the disease.

He can use mesothelioma treatments like:

• Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): Removing the affected lung along with nearby pleura, diaphragm, and pericardium, for select patients with early-stage disease
• Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D): Removing the tumor and the lining around the lung while leaving the lung itself in place
• Neoadjuvant therapy: Shrinking tumors with chemotherapy or other treatments before surgery
• Clinical trials: Connecting patients with emerging therapies and new treatment combinations

He works with each patient to find a plan that maximizes treatment effectiveness while preserving quality of life.

“Everything I do is minimally invasive with the use of the robot. We try as much as possible to take the least amount of lung possible, and we do it with smaller incisions that mean quick recovery.”
– Dr. Zaid Abdelsattar, pleural mesothelioma surgeon

Prepare for treatment conversations by downloading our Free Checklist of Questions to Ask Your Doctor.

Dr. Zaid Abdelsattar’s Medical Background

Dr. Abdelsattar earned his medical degree from the University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine in Amman, Jordan, where students complete a six-year, direct-entry medical program that combines undergraduate education with medical training. After graduating, he moved to the United States to continue his surgical training.

He completed a general surgery residency at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, followed by an independent thoracic surgery fellowship at Mayo Clinic, where he specialized in complex thoracic procedures and the surgical treatment of cancer.

He also completed a research fellowship at the University of Michigan, studying how health care delivery and treatment decisions influence patient outcomes.

Together, this training gave Dr. Abdelsattar a strong background in both advanced thoracic surgery and evidence-based cancer care.

Work Experience

Dr. Abdelsattar has held clinical and research positions at several leading medical institutions throughout his career.

His experience includes:

• Contributor to national thoracic surgery research initiatives
• Faculty member at Loyola University Health System
• General surgery residency at Mayo Clinic
• Research fellowship at the University of Michigan
• Thoracic surgery fellowship at Mayo Clinic
• Thoracic surgical oncologist at Loyola University Medical Center

His work combines patient care, education, and research focused on improving outcomes for individuals with thoracic cancers like mesothelioma.

Highlights of Dr. Zaid Abdelsattar’s Medical Career

Dr. Abdelsattar has earned recognition throughout his training and career for his research and clinical skills, and he stays active in the professional organizations that shape thoracic surgery.

Awards and Accolades

Dr. Abdelsattar’s training and research have earned him several formal honors.

Some of these include:

• Cardiothoracic Surgery Jeopardy Competition for North America Finalist
• Kaare K. Nygaard Travel Award for Excellence in Research
• T. Clagett Award for Outstanding Thoracic Surgery Fellow
• Richard E. Clark Memorial Paper Award
• Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award in Health Services Research

These honors span both his residency training and his ongoing work in mesothelioma and lung cancer research.

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Abdelsattar also holds leadership and membership roles across several professional organizations.

His affiliations include:

• American College of Surgeons (ACS)
• American Heart Association (AHA)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• Associate Editor, European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EJCTS)
• Association for Academic Surgery (AAS)
• Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)

These roles keep him connected to the latest research and standards in thoracic surgery and cancer care.

Dr. Zaid Abdelsattar’s Work in Mesothelioma Research & Clinical Trials

Clinical research plays an important role in Dr. Abdelsattar’s work. His efforts focus on identifying ways to improve outcomes for patients with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other thoracic malignancies.

This includes evaluating surgical approaches, investigating new technologies, and studying factors that influence long-term survival.

His work in clinical trials and outcomes research helps expand knowledge about:

• Emerging treatment approaches
• Lung cancer screening
• Minimally invasive thoracic surgery
• Multidisciplinary cancer care
• Robotic surgery techniques

These efforts contribute to ongoing improvements in patient care and treatment planning.

Connect with Dr. Abdelsattar today through our Free Doctor Match and start exploring your treatment options.

Dr. Zaid Abdelsattar’s Cancer Research and Published Works

Dr. Abdelsattar has authored and contributed to numerous publications involving thoracic surgery, mesothelioma, and cancer outcomes.

Some of his notable publications include:

• Lobar vs Sublobar Lung Resection for Early-Stage Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, July 2026.
• Impact of Neoadjuvant Therapy, Tumor Size, and Surgical Approach on Conversion to Open Thoracotomy During Lobectomy. Published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, March 2026.
• Impact of Federal Lung Cancer Screening Policy on the Incidence of Early-Stage Lung Cancer. Published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, April 2023.
• Assessment of Textbook Outcome After Surgery for Stage I/II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Published in Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Winter 2022.

These studies helped establish some of the first national data on how surgery affects survival in cancers affecting the lungs and chest.

Get Connected With Dr. Zaid Abdelsattar for Treatment

A mesothelioma diagnosis raises hard questions about treatment and next steps.

Zaid Abdelsattar brings deep expertise in thoracic surgery and cancer research to Illinois mesothelioma patients at Loyola University Medical Center, where he helps them explore surgery and clinical trials.

At Mesothelioma Hope, we connect patients and families with leading specialists like Dr. Abdelsattar. Call (866) 608-8933 or start your Free Doctor Match to get started.