Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University provides specialized care for mesothelioma and many other types of cancer. Patients can receive advanced treatment options by working with a dedicated team of mesothelioma specialists. Get connected with the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center to access the care you deserve.

About Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center leads cancer treatment and education in Chicago, Illinois. Its medical team treats mesothelioma and other thoracic (chest-related) cancers.

It is one of only two National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Illinois. This means it is considered one of the best mesothelioma hospitals in the country and meets the highest standards for diagnosing and treating cancer.

Today, the Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center combines compassionate oncology (cancer care) with cutting-edge clinical trials to give mesothelioma patients the best chances of living longer.

Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center Mesothelioma Doctors

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University brings together leading doctors who specialize in mesothelioma, thoracic cancers, and other rare cancer types.

The medical center’s care team includes oncologists, thoracic surgery experts, nurses, counselors, and palliative care specialists.

Mesothelioma doctors on staff at the Robert Lurie Cancer Center include:

Dr. Bilal Anouti — Medical oncologist
Dr. Young Kwang Chae — Medical oncologist
Dr. Nisha A. Mohindra — Thoracic medical oncologist
Dr. Jyoti Patel — Thoracic medical oncologist
Dr. Benjamin Seides — Pulmonologist

These specialists collaborate to provide high-quality, patient-centered health care to patients facing mesothelioma.

Use our Free Doctor Match service to connect with mesothelioma doctors at Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options at Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

Patients at Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center can access a full range of mesothelioma treatment options including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.

Factors like your cancer type, stage, overall health, and more all play a role in which treatments you receive.

“Different types of treatments are available for malignant mesothelioma. You and your cancer care team will work together to decide your treatment plan, which may include more than one type of treatment.”
– Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

Learn about potential treatments that may be used to help you or a loved one with mesothelioma below.

Mesothelioma Surgery

Mesothelioma surgery may be an option for patients with early-stage mesothelioma. Surgeons aim to remove as much cancer as possible to improve outcomes.

Common mesothelioma surgeries offered at Lurie include:

Cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). Doctors surgically remove tumors and then apply heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to kill microscopic cancer cells left behind.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) for pleural mesothelioma. This surgery removes all cancerous tumors, the lung closest to the cancer, and the lining of the lungs (pleura).
Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D), another surgery used for pleural mesothelioma that involves removing cancerous tumors and the pleura. Both lungs are spared, meaning patients can recover faster than if they received an EPP.

These procedures require careful evaluation by thoracic surgeons and other specialists to ensure they’re right for each patient.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy remains a standard part of mesothelioma care. It uses drugs such as pemetrexed and cisplatin to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.

Doctors may administer mesothelioma chemotherapy before surgery as a neoadjuvant treatment to shrink tumors or after surgery as an adjuvant treatment to target any remaining cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is also used as a main treatment for patients who aren’t eligible for surgery. Lurie’s medical oncology team tailors each chemotherapy plan to the patient’s diagnosis and treatment goals.

Download our Free Doctor Questions Checklist so you know exactly what to ask at your next mesothelioma appointment.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy can control tumor growth, reduce symptoms, and help with other treatments. It utilizes high-energy beams to damage cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.

Mesothelioma radiation is typically used with other mesothelioma treatments like surgery and chemotherapy for the best results.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is one of the newest types of mesothelioma treatment. Immunotherapy for mesothelioma boosts the body’s natural immune response to more effectively destroy cancerous cells.

Immunotherapy drugs approved for mesothelioma include:

Nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (Yervoy®): Using these two drugs together may help patients live longer when compared to just using chemotherapy.
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®): This is the newest type of immunotherapy drug, approved to treat pleural mesothelioma in September 2024.

Lurie’s Dr. Jyoti Patel is among the many mesothelioma doctors who have studied immunotherapy for mesothelioma. In 2022, she co-authored a series of guidelines for using immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Palliative Care

Mesothelioma patients at Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center can receive palliative care to improve comfort and quality of life.

Mesothelioma palliative treatments include medications, supplemental oxygen, and minor surgeries to remove fluid buildup that can cause difficulty breathing, appetite loss, and other symptoms.

“Our experts offer palliative care and pain management support to improve quality of life at any stage of treatment.”
– Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

Supportive Care at Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

At the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, patients receive support through a variety of programs that go beyond medical treatment alone.

Supportive services offered by Lurie Cancer Center include:

A tobacco cessation program
Diet and nutritional services
Fertility preservation
Psychological support and counseling
Support groups

Mesothelioma patients and families can access these programs by connecting with Lurie’s supportive oncology team.

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials & Research at Lurie Cancer Center

Lurie Cancer Center stays at the forefront of cancer research. Patients may qualify for mesothelioma clinical trials testing new and improved ways to diagnose and treat this cancer.

“We work directly with clinical researchers who conduct clinical trials aimed at improving the psychosocial health of adults with cancer.”
– Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

One notable ongoing trial at Lurie is investigating how immunotherapy before surgery can help patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Doctors are studying whether this combination is more effective than just immunotherapy at treating this aggressive mesothelioma cell type.

Join a Clinical Trial

We can help match you with top clinical trials. Call (866) 608-8933 to speak with Liz Logan, our oncology nurse navigator.

Paying for Treatment at Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

While mesothelioma treatments can be expensive, there are ways to cover the costs at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.

You and your family can pursue mesothelioma compensation through:

Asbestos trust funds
Mesothelioma lawsuits
VA benefits

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center also has counselors on staff who can connect patients with financial assistance.

Get a Free Case Review to find out if you qualify to access different types of mesothelioma compensation after a diagnosis.

Getting Connected With Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

After receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis, choosing where to receive treatment is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of the top mesothelioma cancer centers in the country, providing advanced therapies, a team of experienced specialists, and access to cutting-edge clinical trials.

At Mesothelioma Hope, we’re here to help you explore which treatments will work best in your case and connect you with top doctors across the country, including those at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.