- Address 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77030
- Director, Mesothelioma Program Dr. Anne Tsao
Speak with our nurse for help contacting this cancer center
MD Anderson Cancer Center
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center takes a comprehensive approach to treating mesothelioma. As a leader in cancer research, MD Anderson’s mesothelioma program allows patients to access the latest advancements in surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and clinical trials. Get help connecting with top mesothelioma specialists at MD Anderson today.
About MD Anderson Cancer Center
MD Anderson has been ranked the No. 1 cancer center in the country by U.S. News & World Report every year since 2015.
MD Anderson focuses on providing individualized care backed by innovative cancer research and clinical trials that bring the latest therapies directly to mesothelioma patients.
“I would love to have patients know that there’s hope. MD Anderson is one of the most remarkable places to be when you need help for cancer.”
Its main campus is in the Texas Medical Center, with four additional locations in League City, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and West Houston.
Key Facts on MD Anderson
- One of three comprehensive cancer centers in Texas
- Up to 25% of MD Anderson second opinions lead to an updated diagnosis
- Staff performed 22,000 surgeries in the last year
- Enrolled 11,000 patients in clinical trials in 2024
MD Anderson offers specialized cancer care for mesothelioma that can significantly extend survival and improve quality of life.
Use our Free Doctor Match to get help connecting with MD Anderson mesothelioma specialists for cancer treatment.
MD Anderson Cancer Center Mesothelioma Doctors
MD Anderson’s mesothelioma program employs some of the top doctors in the field. These specialists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating this rare cancer.
MD Anderson Cancer Center mesothelioma specialists include:
- Dr. Mehmet Altan – Medical oncologist
- Dr. Brian D. Badgwell – Surgical oncologist
- Dr. Frank V. Fossella – Medical oncologist
- Dr. Paul Mansfield – Surgical oncologist
- Dr. Kanwal P. S. Raghav – Medical oncologist
- Dr. David C. Rice – Thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Stephen Swisher – Thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Anne Tsao – Medical oncologist
“My surgical team did everything in their power to help me. They researched. They talked to doctors from other hospitals all over the country. It was inspiring how hard they worked to save my life.”
MD Anderson Cancer Center: Mesothelioma Patient Care
Patients at MD Anderson benefit from a skilled health care team and a wide range of support services.
These include:
- Advanced care planning
- Counseling and other types of emotional support
- Medical oncologists
- Nutritionists
- Pain management specialists
- Palliative care providers
- Pathologists
- Psychiatric oncology services
- Pulmonologists
- Radiation oncologists
- Social workers
- Support groups and counseling services
- Surgical oncologists
- Thoracic surgeons
This multidisciplinary approach ensures that each patient receives dedicated attention tailored to their specific needs.
Make every appointment count — download our Free Checklist of Questions to Ask Your Doctor to help you get the answers you need about mesothelioma treatment.
MD Anderson Cancer Center Mesothelioma Treatment Options
MD Anderson Cancer Center is known for its comprehensive and personalized approach to mesothelioma treatment. Patients benefit from a wide range of advanced treatment options tailored to their type and stage of mesothelioma.
Surgery
Surgery is a cornerstone of MD Anderson mesothelioma treatment. The center offers advanced surgical procedures designed to remove as much cancer as possible and keep it from spreading.
Key surgeries for mesothelioma include:
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): A surgery for pleural mesothelioma that removes the entire lung along with the lining of the chest and diaphragm
- Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D): Another type of pleural mesothelioma surgery that removes the lining of the affected lung and all visible tumors (less aggressive than an EPP)
- Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC: A surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma that removes visible tumors from the abdominal lining before using heated chemotherapy to kill remaining cancer cells
These procedures are performed by well-trained, board-certified surgeons, ensuring the highest standards of patient safety.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be administered at various stages of mesothelioma treatment:
- Before surgery to make the procedure more effective
- After surgery to shrink tumors or target remaining cancer cells
- By itself or with other therapies if surgery isn’t an option
Chemotherapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center is personalized to each patient, targeting the specific location of tumors as well as the mesothelioma cell type.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that harnesses the power of the body’s immune system to fight mesothelioma.
Patients in MD Anderson Cancer Center’s mesothelioma program have access to the latest immunotherapy drugs.
FDA-approved immunotherapy drugs for mesothelioma include:
Patients may be able to receive other immunotherapy drugs by joining MD Anderson mesothelioma clinical trials.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy at MD Anderson utilizes the most advanced techniques to precisely target mesothelioma tumors without harming healthy cells.
These techniques include:
- Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT): A method that uses imaging during treatment to improve accuracy and effectiveness
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): A highly accurate radiation technique that adjusts the radiation dose to the shape of the tumor
Radiation therapy may be used on its own or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy to relieve symptoms and keep tumors from growing.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide shipped overnight to learn more about different treatments and clinical trials that could improve your prognosis.
MD Anderson Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
MD Anderson Cancer Center’s mesothelioma program is on the cutting edge of research, offering patients access to exciting new treatments being tested in clinical trials.
Some of its active clinical trials include:
- A phase I trial of a new type of natural killer (NK) cell therapy for patients with advanced mesothelioma
- A phase I/II study testing the addition of immunotherapy drugs Imfinzi® and Imjudo® to standard chemotherapy to see if it helps mesothelioma patients live longer without their cancer coming back
- A phase II trial to see if adding the immunotherapy drug Tecentriq® to standard treatment can improve outcomes for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma
- A phase III trial of volrustomig (MEDI5752), a new type of immunotherapy, combined with chemotherapy for patients with advanced pleural mesothelioma that can’t be removed with surgery
Contact our Patient Advocates to get help finding the right clinical trial for you or a loved one.
“As a top-ranked cancer center, MD Anderson’s researchers are pioneering remarkable advances to give you the best chance for fighting mesothelioma.”
– MD Anderson Cancer Center
Connect With MD Anderson for Mesothelioma Treatment
At Mesothelioma Hope, we’re here to help you navigate your treatment journey and make sure you have access to the best medical care and guidance.
Our Patient Advocates can:
- Connect you with top mesothelioma specialists
- Help you request appointments at the best hospitals
- Let you know what to expect during treatment
- See if you qualify for financial compensation
Call us directly at (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match to get started.
Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by MD Anderson Cancer Center. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact MD Anderson Cancer Center directly.
Written by:Jenna Tozzi, RNJenna Tozzi, RN, is the Chief Patient Care Advisor for Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to cancer patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.
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