Cleveland Clinic Mesothelioma Treatment Center

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic first opened its doors on February 28, 1921, with this mission:

Better care of the sick, investigation into their problems, and further education of those who serve.

Today, the clinic continues to work towards the vision of becoming the world’s leader in patient experience, clinical outcomes, research, and education.

Cleveland Clinic is a National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Care Center and has received top marks in cancer patient survival, use of advanced technologies, availability of key patient services and the maintenance of a high nurse to patient ratio.

Many significant medical breakthroughs have happened at the Cleveland Clinic, including:

First coronary angiography (1958)
Development and refinement of coronary bypass surgery (1967)
First minimally invasive aortic heart valve surgery (1996)
First successful larynx transplant (1998)
Nation’s first near-total face transplant (2008)
Discovery that adult brain neurons can regenerate (2011)

Cleveland Clinic Location and Overview

Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44195
1-866-223-8100

Cleveland Clinic Patient Experience

Cleveland Clinic offers its patients a comprehensive experience. Interdisciplinary teams of physicians, nurses, ethicists, and social workers provide the support necessary for making decisions at every stage of treatment. Language access and spiritual services are offered on-site.

In addition, patients have access to a variety of integrative medical therapies, including:

Acupuncture
Massage
Psychotherapy
Nutrition
Chiropractic therapy
Reiki
Yoga
Art therapy
Music therapy
Pet therapy

Cleveland Clinic also sponsors and hosts support groups for patients.

Mesothelioma Program at Cleveland Clinic

The Lung Cancer Program at Cleveland Clinic combines a multidisciplinary team of medical oncologists, pulmonologists, radiation oncologists, and thoracic surgeons who work together to provide unique and comprehensive care for patients with mesothelioma.

There is no one way to treat mesothelioma, and Cleveland Clinic recognizes this. They help patients find the most effective treatment, allowing them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

Mesothelioma Doctors at Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic physicians leading the treatment program of mesothelioma:

Dr. Wesam Ahmed
Dr. Bruno Bastos
Dr. Alejandro Bribriesco
Dr. John Greskovich, Jr.
Dr. Sudish Murthy
Dr. Mihir Naik
Dr. Nathan Pennell
Dr. Siva Raja
Dr. Daniel Raymond
Dr. Edward Savage
Dr. Cedric Sheffield
Dr. James Stevenson
Dr. Eva Suarez
Dr. Vamsidhar Velcheti
Dr. Francisco Aécio Almeida
Dr. Humberto Choi
Dr. Michael Machuzak
Dr. Vinit Makkar
Dr. Atul C. Mehta
Dr. Gregory Videtic

Mesothelioma Treatment Options at Cleveland Clinic

Laboratory tests are not able to specifically diagnose mesothelioma. However, the Cleveland Clinic offers a number of diagnostic tests that can determine whether someone has the condition.

Diagnostic tests offered at this facility include:

Physical Exam and History: The physician will look for signs such as lumps and ask questions regarding the patient’s exposure to asbestos.
Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: Effective for showing abnormal growths or the thickening of the tissue inside the chest cavity.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: Able to show if the disease is metastasizing.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): A blood sample showing the count of red and white blood cells and certain antibodies.
Biopsy: Removal of tissue from the lining of the chest or abdomen with a thin needle or a small incision, which is then analyzed under a microscope.
Bronchoscopy: Insertion of a bronchoscope through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs.
Cytologic exam: Fluid is removed from the around the lungs and examined under a microscope.

Cleveland Clinic performs surgical procedures including:

Wide Local Excision: Taking out cancerous tissue and some surrounding healthy tissue.
Pleurectomy With Decortication: Removing some of the covering of the lungs, the lining of the chest, and part of the outside surface of the lungs.
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy: Removing one whole lung and part of the lining of the chest, the diaphragm, and the lining of the sac around the heart.
Pleurodesis: Using chemicals or drugs to cause scarring in pleural tissue, which stops the buildup of fluid in the pleural cavity (pleural effusions).

As it’s very difficult to surgically remove all tissue affected by mesothelioma, additional procedures may be required to support surgical intervention.

Other mesothelioma treatments offered at the Cleveland Clinic include:

Radiation Therapy: Using X-rays or other kinds of radiation to kill cancer cells, usually following surgery.
Chemotherapy: Using drugs (a pill that is swallowed or an injection directly into a vein or muscle) to stop the growth of cancer, either by killing the cells or stopping them from dividing.

Treatment Update

Optune Lua™ treatment now offered at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center

Following treatment, diagnostic tests may be repeated to assess the effectiveness of the treatment, whether the condition has changed, and whether alternate treatments should be undertaken.

Clinical Trials and Research at Cleveland Clinic

New generation, cutting-edge research has discovered that molecular-targeted chemotherapy agents can function to specifically isolate mesothelioma cells. Molecular-targeted therapies disable cancer cell DNA.

Other cutting-edge therapies work to inhibit key enzymes or cell-to-cell signaling pathways cancer cells need to grow and multiply.

As they are still in the preliminary stages of development, there are not many human clinical trials utilizing these therapies. Cleveland Clinic recognizes the promise of these techniques and is working to further their advancement.

Volunteers in clinical trials can play a more active role in their healthcare and gain access to new treatments before they are widely available to the public. They can also help others by contributing to medical research.

Cleveland Clinic Insurance Information

At Cleveland Clinic, no referral is required. However, insurance companies might require one in order to provide coverage.

Most Medicare patients will be covered by Medicare and their supplemental insurance. Medicare patients without supplemental insurance can expect to incur a balance.

Call your insurance provider to ensure Cleveland Clinic is in your network. If it’s an emergency, insurance providers will generally cover emergency department costs or transfer you. If it is not an emergency, you may be required to pay a larger deductible or a larger percentage of your bill.

Cleveland Clinic billing representatives are available to discuss insurance and payment concerns at (216) 445-6249 or (866) 621-6385 toll-free.

If you do not have health insurance, call the Patient Financial Services Department at (216) 445-6249 or (866) 621-6385 toll-free. Additionally, financial assistance is available in some cases.

Seeking Mesothelioma Treatment at Cleveland Clinic

Appointments can be scheduled online or over the phone. For same-day appointments in Cleveland, call (216) 444-CARE

To schedule an appointment by phone, contact the appropriate office:

Cleveland: (866) 320-4573 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week)
Florida: (877) 463-2010 (7am – 6pm ET, weekdays)
Canada: (888) 507-6885 (7am – 5:30pm ET, weekdays)
Nevada: (702) 483-6000 (8am – 5pm PT, weekdays)

After scheduling your medical appointment, Cleveland Clinic’s medical concierge is available to assist with any additional arrangements you may require. The concierge is able to help coordinate hotel and lodging options, airport transportation, and interpreters for appointments.

They can be reached at (216) 445-5580 or (800) 223-2273, ext 5580 toll-free.

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