Stanford Health Care Emeryville for Mesothelioma Treatment

Stanford Health Care Emeryville

Stanford Health Care Emeryville treats people with mesothelioma and works with the Stanford Cancer Institute to provide advanced patient care. Patients from across the Bay Area and California come here for treatments like surgery, immunotherapy, radiation, and clinical trials. Get connected with mesothelioma specialists at Stanford in Emeryville with our help.

About Stanford Health Care Emeryville

Stanford Health Care Emeryville diagnoses and treats mesothelioma as part of its broader cancer care services. The center is part of Stanford Health Care in California and works closely with experts at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the Stanford Cancer Institute.

Because the symptoms of mesothelioma can look like more common illnesses, doctors at Stanford use detailed testing to confirm a diagnosis and understand how far the cancer has progressed. Care is coordinated across a team of specialists who work together to create treatment plans tailored to each patient.

Mesothelioma patients at Stanford Emeryville have access to:

Advanced imaging and diagnostic testing
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy
Clinical trials and newer treatment approaches
Support services for patients and families
Thoracic surgery and other specialized procedures

The center also offers convenient care options, including telehealth visits and self-referrals. Through its connection to the Stanford Cancer Institute, the center brings the latest research and treatment approaches directly to patients to help treat mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Doctors at Stanford Health Care Emeryville

Stanford Health Care Emeryville provides access to experienced specialists who treat mesothelioma. These doctors work closely with a broader care team to coordinate treatment and support patients throughout their care.

Mesothelioma doctors associated with Stanford Emeryville include:

Irmina Elliott: Thoracic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive procedures
Joel Neal: Medical oncologist focused on immunotherapy and clinical trials
Anjali Sibley: Medical oncologist and director of the Stanford Medicine Cancer Center in Emeryville
Heather Wakelee: Medical oncologist and deputy director of the Stanford Cancer Institute

These physicians work with a team of specialists to guide mesothelioma treatment decisions and help patients understand their options.

If you’re searching for a mesothelioma specialist in California, use our Free Doctor Match service to connect with experts at Stanford Emeryville and other leading cancer centers.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options at Stanford Health Care Emeryville

Treatment approaches for mesothelioma at Stanford in Emeryville, CA, depend on the stage of the disease, the type of mesothelioma, and the patient’s overall health. Doctors review imaging, biopsy results, and other tests to recommend a personalized treatment plan.

Stanford Emeryville offers several treatment options for mesothelioma, often used in combination to improve outcomes.

Mesothelioma Surgery

For some patients, mesothelioma surgery may be part of the treatment plan through Stanford Health Care, with procedures typically performed at specialized surgical facilities within the Stanford system.

Surgery is typically considered part of a multimodal approach, meaning it may be combined with treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy to fight the disease more effectively.

Surgical procedures for mesothelioma include:

Pleurectomy and decortication (P/D): This surgery for pleural mesothelioma removes the lining around the lungs and visible tumors while preserving the lung.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): This is another more aggressive surgery for pleural mesothelioma that removes the entire affected lung, part of the diaphragm, and surrounding tissue.
Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC: Used for peritoneal mesothelioma, this procedure removes tumors from the abdominal lining and delivers heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen to kill remaining cancer cells.

These complex procedures are generally performed at Stanford’s main hospital or other specialized surgical centers. After surgery, the care team at Stanford Emeryville continues to support mesothelioma patients through recovery, monitors their progress, and helps them understand what to expect next.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for mesothelioma. It uses drugs that travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body.

Stanford Health Care Emeryville uses mesothelioma chemotherapy in different ways depending on the patient’s needs. It can be given before surgery to help shrink tumors, after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells, or as the main treatment when the mesothelioma is too advanced to be treated surgically.

Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles, with rest periods in between to allow the body time to recover. Doctors monitor mesothelioma patients closely and may adjust their chemotherapy plan based on how the cancer responds and how the patient is feeling.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses targeted, high-energy beams to kill mesothelioma cells or slow their growth. Before treatment begins, radiation oncologists create a detailed plan based on imaging scans. This helps them focus radiation treatments as precisely as possible while protecting nearby organs like the lungs and heart.

Mesothelioma radiation may be used to:

Help lower the risk of cancer returning after surgery
Relieve symptoms such as chest pain or pressure
Shrink tumors that cannot be surgically removed

Mesothelioma radiation treatments are typically given over several sessions, rather than all at once, to reduce side effects.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy helps mesothelioma patients by enabling the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. At Stanford Emeryville, patients can access the latest immunotherapy treatments administered by medical oncologists.

Approved immunotherapy drugs for mesothelioma include:

Nivolumab (Opdivo®)
Ipilimumab (Yervoy®)
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®)

These therapies help the immune system detect and fight mesothelioma more effectively. In many cases, a combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab is used as a first-line treatment for advanced pleural mesothelioma.

Stanford Emeryville mesothelioma patients may also have access to clinical trials exploring new immunotherapy combinations and emerging treatments.

Palliative Care

Palliative care focuses on helping people with mesothelioma feel more comfortable and maintain their quality of life during treatment. At Stanford Health Care Emeryville, mesothelioma palliative care can be provided at any stage and is often used alongside other treatments.

Palliative treatment for mesothelioma may include:

Oxygen therapy: Support for patients with shortness of breath
Pain management: Medications or nerve blocks to control chest or abdominal pain
Paracentesis: Draining fluid from the abdomen for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma
Pleurodesis: A procedure that helps prevent fluid buildup around the lungs
Pulmonary rehabilitation: Breathing exercises and support to improve lung function
Thoracentesis: Draining fluid buildup around the lungs to make breathing easier

In addition to relieving physical symptoms, palliative care at Stanford Emeryville also includes emotional and practical support. Patients and families may have access to counseling, care coordination, and mental health guidance to help manage the challenges of living with mesothelioma.

Preparing for treatment discussions can feel overwhelming. Download our Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist to help organize your thoughts before your next appointment.

Mesothelioma Patient Care at Stanford Health Care Emeryville

A mesothelioma diagnosis can touch nearly every part of your life. Stanford Health Care Emeryville understands that patient care goes beyond medical treatment and that patients and families may need extra support along the way.

Depending on your situation, you may have access to:

Help navigating insurance and treatment costs
Nutrition support to help maintain your strength
Oncology social workers for emotional support
Resources for caregivers and family members
Survivorship programs to plan for life after treatment

All of these services can help make a mesothelioma diagnosis more manageable so patients can stay focused on their health without feeling overwhelmed.

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials and Research at Stanford Health Care Emeryville

Stanford Health Care Emeryville is part of a broader research effort focused on improving mesothelioma treatment. Clinical trials are one way that doctors study new therapies, improve existing ones, and learn what works best for different patients.

Mesothelioma clinical trials at Stanford Emeryville may include:

Next-generation radiation therapies designed to improve precision
Immunotherapy drugs that help the body target mesothelioma cells
New chemotherapy combinations to enhance effectiveness
Targeted treatments aimed at specific tumor characteristics

Whether you can join a clinical trial depends on a few factors, such as the type and stage of your mesothelioma, the treatments you’ve already had, and your overall health. A specialist can look over your imaging scans, test results, and medical history to help figure out if a trial might be a good fit for you.

Use our Free Doctor Match to find Stanford specialists with experience in mesothelioma and clinical trials.

Get Help Starting Mesothelioma Treatment at Stanford Emeryville

Finding a treatment center after receiving a rare diagnosis can be daunting, but it may be one of the most important decisions you make. Stanford Cancer Center in Emeryville provides comprehensive care for mesothelioma patients with access to advanced treatments and clinical trials.

Mesothelioma Hope is here to connect you with mesothelioma specialists at Stanford Health Care Emeryville and help you understand your treatment options.

Our nurses and Patient Advocates can:

Match you with mesothelioma specialists at Stanford
Help schedule and expedite doctors’ appointments
Assist with gathering medical records and other documents
Explain what to expect during your cancer treatment

You don’t have to navigate a mesothelioma diagnosis alone. Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match service to get started.