City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago

City of Hope Chicago Cancer Center delivers comprehensive cancer care to patients across Illinois. As part of the nationally respected City of Hope health care system, it offers advanced treatment options, clinical trials, and supportive services for people diagnosed with mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. Get our help connecting with City of Hope Chicago.

About City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago

City of Hope in Chicago provides focused care for people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare disease that requires specialized expertise, and patients here are supported by a team that understands how this cancer develops and how it is treated.

Care is coordinated so that patients from Chicago and nearby communities in Illinois can receive mesothelioma treatment closer to home while still benefiting from the knowledge and resources of a larger cancer network.

City of Hope Chicago offers mesothelioma patients:

Detailed testing to confirm diagnosis and guide treatment
Chemotherapy and other whole-body cancer medicines
Modern radiation therapy to target tumors
Access to clinical trials through the City of Hope network
Support services for pain relief and symptom control

Mesothelioma patients are cared for by a coordinated team that may include medical oncologists, radiation specialists, nurses, and supportive care providers. The goal is to treat the cancer while also helping patients maintain their comfort and quality of life.

Mesothelioma Doctors at City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago

City of Hope in Chicago provides access to experienced mesothelioma doctors and oncology specialists. These providers work together to guide treatment decisions for each patient.

Leading mesothelioma specialists at City of Hope Chicago include:

Hatem Halabi: Surgical oncologist
Evan Pisick: Medical oncologist
Stephen Ray: Medical Director of Supportive and Integrative Oncology

Together, these specialists collaborate within a structured care team. Each patient receives a personalized treatment plan designed around their specific diagnosis and treatment goals.

If you’re looking for the right mesothelioma doctor, we can connect you with experienced specialists at City of Hope Chicago and other cancer centers in Illinois. Get matched with a doctor who fits your needs.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options at City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago

Treatment options for each patient differ depending on the type of mesothelioma and stage of disease. City of Hope Chicago offers several advanced treatment approaches.

Mesothelioma Surgery

For some people with early-stage cancer, mesothelioma surgery may be an important part of treatment. Doctors at City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago carefully review each patient’s health, test results, and cancer stage to decide if surgery is a safe and helpful option.

Because these procedures can be complex, the team ensures patients are strong enough to undergo major surgery before moving forward.

Surgeries for pleural mesothelioma may include:

Pleurectomy and decortication, which removes the lung lining and visible tumors while preserving the lung
Extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes the affected lung and nearby tissue in carefully selected cases

For peritoneal mesothelioma, surgeons may perform cytoreductive surgery to extract visible tumors from the abdominal cavity. This procedure is usually combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). During HIPEC, a warm chemotherapy solution is circulated inside the abdomen after cytoreduction to destroy any remaining microscopic cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for mesothelioma uses medications to kill or slow the spread of cancer cells. Mesothelioma chemotherapy may be administered before surgery, after surgery, or as the primary treatment, depending on the patient’s needs.

The most frequently used regimen includes pemetrexed (Alimta®) combined with cisplatin or carboplatin. These medications circulate through the bloodstream and target rapidly dividing mesothelioma cells.

City of Hope Chicago medical oncologists monitor blood counts, kidney function, and overall health during chemotherapy sessions. They may adjust doses when necessary to reduce side effects such as fatigue, nausea, or lowered immunity.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has opened new doors for people with mesothelioma, especially when other treatments have failed. At City of Hope in Chicago, mesothelioma doctors carefully review each patient’s situation to see whether this treatment may help.

Mesothelioma cells can sometimes avoid being detected by the immune system. Immunotherapy drugs like nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (Yervoy®) block the signals that allow this to happen, helping the body recognize and attack mesothelioma cancer cells more effectively.

The team at City of Hope Chicago monitors patients closely during immunotherapy for mesothelioma. If side effects happen, doctors can manage them quickly with medication. Early reporting of symptoms is important, and patients are encouraged to speak up about any changes they notice.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and destroy mesothelioma tumors. At City of Hope Chicago, IL, radiation oncologists design personalized treatment plans that focus radiation directly on tumors while limiting damage to the rest of the body.

Radiation therapy for mesothelioma may be used:

After surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells around the tumor site
Before surgery to shrink tumors and make them easier to remove
To relieve symptoms caused by tumors, such as chest pain, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath

Techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allow doctors to shape radiation beams around healthy organs like the heart and lungs, reducing collateral damage and side effects.

Patients usually receive mesothelioma radiation treatments in short daily sessions over several weeks. In addition to slowing tumor growth, radiation therapy can also help reduce symptoms like chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and breathing discomfort.

Palliative Care

Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life, and it can begin at any stage of mesothelioma treatment. It’s not just for end-of-life care. Many mesothelioma patients receive palliative care while also undergoing more aggressive treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

Palliative care for mesothelioma may include:

Advanced pain management like nerve blocks
Help managing fatigue and treatment side effects
Oxygen therapy for shortness of breath
Paracentesis to relieve fluid buildup in the abdomen
Physical therapy to maintain strength and mobility
Thoracentesis to drain fluid around the lungs

Download our Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist to help you prepare for your next appointment and feel more confident discussing treatment options.

City of Hope Chicago Patient Care and Support Services

A mesothelioma diagnosis can feel overwhelming. At City of Hope in Chicago, supportive care is built into cancer treatment from the very beginning. Patients and families have access to services that address their physical, emotional, and practical needs at every step of their mesothelioma journey.

Supportive services for mesothelioma patients may include:

Behavioral health support for emotional well-being
Diet and nutrition counseling for healthy eating
Pain management to improve comfort
Patient navigation for help with appointments
Talk therapy with a licensed social worker

Supportive care for mesothelioma helps manage treatment side effects and protect quality of life. Many services are offered in an outpatient setting at City of Hope Chicago’s Zion location. The goal is to deliver advanced treatment while supporting the whole person.

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials and Research at City of Hope Chicago

City of Hope Chicago participates in clinical trials focused on mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers. Research is an important part of how doctors continue improving treatment and expanding options for patients.

Mesothelioma clinical trials may study:

Drug combinations for advanced disease
Innovative approaches to radiation therapy
New immunotherapy combinations
Targeted therapies aimed at specific proteins

“Getting mesothelioma treatment at City of Hope means you are steps away from labs developing exciting new therapies for mesothelioma every day. As a result, the latest and award-winning research we conduct moves quickly from the lab to our patients’ bedsides.”
– City of Hope Cancer Center

Not every patient qualifies for clinical trials. A specialist can review your medical history and determine whether you’re eligible to join a mesothelioma study.

Get matched with specialists at City of Hope Chicago to see if a clinical trial is right for you.

Get Connected With City of Hope Chicago for Mesothelioma Treatment

Finding the right place for mesothelioma treatment can feel overwhelming. City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago provides comprehensive cancer care with a focus on personalized treatment planning and supportive services.

Patients in Illinois and the greater Chicago area may have access to multiple treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and clinical trials. Reaching out to a top mesothelioma center can help you learn more about your diagnosis, review potential treatment paths, and make informed decisions about your medical care.

Mesothelioma Hope can connect you with specialists at City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago and other leading hospitals in the area. Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match service to take the next step.