O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center

O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is Alabama’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The center offers advanced cancer care for mesothelioma patients, including access to innovative treatments and clinical trials.

About O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center

Established in 1971, O’Neal Cancer Center in Birmingham, AL, is part of the University of Alabama System, which includes UAB, the University of Alabama, and UAB Health.

It’s also one of the original eight NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States.

O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB is dedicated to providing personalized care and advancing clinical research on mesothelioma and other aggressive diseases.

O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Mesothelioma Doctors

O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center is home to a team of skilled mesothelioma doctors who can diagnose and treat this cancer.

O’Neal Cancer Center mesothelioma doctors include:

Dr. Aakash Desai – Medical oncologist
Dr. Darryl Outlaw Jr. – Medical oncologist
Dr. Benjamin Wei – Thoracic surgeon

Get help connecting with mesothelioma specialists at O’Neal Cancer Center using our Free Doctor Match service.

Mesothelioma Patient Care at O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center

Like other top mesothelioma hospitals, O’Neal Cancer Center supports patients and their loved ones from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.

Patients can visit the Supportive Care Clinic on the third floor of UAB Hospital to get help managing mesothelioma symptoms and treatment-related side effects.

The clinic is staffed by:

Cancer counselors who assist patients in managing their mental health
Chaplains who provide spiritual support to people of all faiths and beliefs
Massage therapists who use specialized techniques to help patients relax
Nutritionists who develop mesothelioma diet plans to help patients stay strong during treatment
Physical therapists who create exercise routines to improve patients’ strength, balance, and mobility
Physicians and nurse practitioners who specialize in palliative care to treat complex symptoms

O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB also hosts in-person and virtual support groups for patients, friends and family, and survivors.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options at O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center

Patients at O’Neal Cancer Center can access a range of mesothelioma treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Surgery

O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB provides several surgical options for treating mesothelioma.

Common surgeries for pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma include:

Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) removes all or part of the pleura (lining of the lungs) along with visible tumors
Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) removes the cancerous lung and surrounding tissues
Cytoreduction with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC) removes visible tumors from the abdominal cavity and applies a heated chemotherapy solution to kill remaining cancer cells.

Did You Know?

O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB is currently the only hospital in Alabama to offer HIPEC treatment.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the most common mesothelioma treatment. It uses powerful drugs to find and destroy cancer cells throughout the body. Providers typically combine chemotherapy with surgery and other treatments.

More specifically, chemotherapy can be used:

Before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumors and make mesothelioma easier to remove
After surgery (adjuvant) to reduce the risk of mesothelioma recurrence

Although chemotherapy may potentially cause side effects, O’Neal’s Supportive Care Clinic can help patients manage them and maintain their quality of life throughout treatment.

Download Mesothelioma Hope’s Free Checklist of Questions to Ask Your Doctor to help guide your treatment conversations and ensure you’re getting the right care.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy harnesses the body’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells.

At O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, immunotherapy for mesothelioma is used alone or with other treatments like chemotherapy and surgery, depending on the specifics of each case.

It’s often recommended for patients with advanced, recurrent, or inoperable mesothelioma, especially if initial treatments stop working.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is another mesothelioma treatment offered at O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.

It uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation can be used alone or with other treatments like chemotherapy or surgery for best results.

Radiation treatment can control tumor growth and help manage symptoms in patients who can’t undergo surgery. Doctors may also recommend radiation treatment as part of a palliative care plan to improve quality of life.

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials & Research at O’Neal Cancer Center

With over 400 physicians and cancer researchers, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center supports more than 200 cancer-related clinical trials every year.

Clinical trials can help mesothelioma patients get early access to cutting-edge treatments not yet available to the general public. These treatments may help improve symptoms, slow the disease, or even extend life expectancy.

For example, UAB is currently testing a new drug called PF-08052666 (SGN-MesoC2) for patients with advanced mesothelioma that hasn’t responded to standard treatments. This drug is designed to target and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, potentially reducing side effects.

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide shipped overnight to learn more about emerging treatments that may be available to you or a loved one.

Get Connected With O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center

O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB provides state-of-the-art therapies and expert care for people with mesothelioma.

Its multidisciplinary team of surgeons, oncology doctors, nurses, and other health care providers will work together to create a tailored treatment plan for you.

Contact Mesothelioma Hope today to get in touch with O’Neal Cancer Center. We can also help you pursue financial compensation for your medical care if you qualify.