Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

About Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

As part of the VA Houston Healthcare System, Michael DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) offers various specialty health services for veterans with mesothelioma, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and more.

Thanks to its partnership with Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and its close ties to the Baylor Lung Institute, MEDVAMC provides many advantages for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.

This facility can notably treat the two most common types of mesothelioma, which are pleural mesothelioma (which forms in the lung lining) and peritoneal mesothelioma (which forms in the lining of the abdomen).

“We do offer comprehensive care at the VA here in Houston, and we really enjoy taking care of these complicated medical issues.”

Around 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year, and one-third of those diagnosed are military veterans. For this reason, it’s critical that veterans across the U.S. have access to doctors and surgeons experienced in treating mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers.

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• Average prognosis
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Mesothelioma Treatments Available at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

MEDVAMC offers a wide range of mesothelioma treatment plans tailored to each patient’s cancer stage, overall health, and other factors.

Surgery

Mesothelioma surgery involves the removal of tumors or other cancerous tissues. It’s often combined with other treatments for best results.

Surgeries performed at MEDVAMC include:

• Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)
• Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D)

Both of these surgeries have been used to increase the life expectancy of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining). Doctors at MEDVAMC typically combine surgeries with other therapies for best results.

“We will have to take a multi-prong attack to ultimately provide patients with much better survival with this disease.”

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the most common mesothelioma treatments and involves fighting cancer with powerful drugs that are administered either orally or through an IV (intravenously).

Mesothelioma chemotherapy can be used as a standalone treatment, but it’s often combined with surgery and immunotherapy to be more effective.

Common chemotherapy medications include pemetrexed and cisplatin.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy strengthens the body’s natural defense system to better identify and attack cancer cells.

The two immunotherapy drugs Opdivo® and Yervoy® (nivolumab and ipilimumab) have been approved to treat patients with pleural mesothelioma who don’t qualify for major surgery.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is used in a similar way as chemotherapy since it’s often administered before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.

Instead of pumping powerful cancer-fighting drugs throughout the body, radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation beams and typically has fewer side effects than chemotherapy as a result.

Clinical Trials

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center also provides patients access to new and emerging treatments being tested in mesothelioma clinical trials.

Current trials are studying:

• Cell types found in and near mesothelioma tumors
• Patients’ overall experience with surgery for pleural mesothelioma
• Targeted therapies and investigational drugs for mesothelioma

Palliative Care

MEDVAMC also offers inpatient and outpatient palliative care services to help veterans manage their symptoms and live more comfortably.

Examples of palliative care for mesothelioma include:

• Alternative treatments such as yoga and meditation to reduce stress and boost overall well-being
• Chemotherapy and radiation to shrink the size of tumors that are putting pressure on major blood vessels, organs, nerves, and bones
• Medication to minimize pain or relieve nausea from chemotherapy and immunotherapy
• Surgical procedures like thoracentesis, which drains excess fluid from the space around the lungs to improve breathing

Palliative care at MEDVAMC is dedicated to improving the quality of life for veterans with mesothelioma, offering comprehensive support through various treatments and therapies.

Michael E. DeBakey Mesothelioma Doctors and Patient Care Team

The patient care team at Michael E. DeBakey has received high patient satisfaction ratings from veterans needing specialized cancer treatment.

MEDVAMC has relationships with several trusted mesothelioma specialists, including:

Each mesothelioma doctor works hard to ensure all veterans and their families are comfortable and supported at every step of the treatment process.

The MEDVAMC mesothelioma care team also includes:

• Case managers
• Chaplains
• Mental health professionals
• Nurses
• Nutritionists and dietitians
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Spiritual advisors

Download our Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist to help you prepare for treatment-related conversations with your medical team.

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VA Health Benefits for Veterans at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs provides VA benefits to sick or injured veterans, including those with service-related mesothelioma.

You or a loved one may be eligible for the following:

• Free or low-cost medical treatment through the VA health care system
• Tax-free disability compensation worth over $4,000 a month
• Aid & Attendance (A&A) payouts to cover caregiving services
• Monthly pension payments based on your annual income
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving family members

These benefits are designed to ensure veterans receive the necessary medical care, daily living assistance, and financial support for their families.

Get Help Connecting With Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

If you or a loved one served in the military and are now facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, we can walk you through your next steps.

This includes:

• Explaining your test results, diagnosis, and treatment options
• Connecting you with specialists at the Michael DeBakey VA in Houston
• Helping you file for VA disability benefits and other compensation
• And much more

Give us a call now at (866) 608-8933 or fill out our contact form to get started.