Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Location and Overview
Patient Experience
Mesothelioma Program
Treatment Options

About Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Clinic, also known as Sylvester, is based at the University of Miami. As the only university-based cancer center in South Florida, it receives thousands of patients from around the state. It’s also recognized around the country and internationally for its groundbreaking cancer treatment and compassionate care.

Sylvester has over 2,400 doctors, researchers, and staff working together to provide world-class care for all forms of cancer.

“No one is more prepared to fight your cancer.”
—Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center focuses entirely on cancer patients. As a university hospital, Sylvester has the resources and equipment to conduct innovative research and offer leading clinical trials.

If you would like information on deciding if Sylvester could be a good fit for you or a loved one, download our updated guide.

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Location and Overview

The following highlights make Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center a top choice for mesothelioma treatment:

Targeted, multidisciplinary mesothelioma treatment tailored to each patient
Top 10 robotic video-assisted surgery programs in the southeastern United States
Survivorship programs offering support groups, workshops, and other resources to support long-term wellness
Nationally ranked in U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 Best Hospitals for Cancer
Only cancer treatment center in South Florida recognized by the National Cancer Institute as an NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Journal of the American Medical Association “Elite Cancer Centre”
Access to cutting-edge treatments provided through NCI’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program and National Clinical Trials Network program

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is located at:

1475 NW 12th Avenue
Miami, FL 33136
305-243-1000

Sylvester also has multiple locations across South Florida:

Aventura, FL
Coral Gables, FL
Coral Springs, FL
Deerfield Beach, FL
Doral, FL
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Hollywood, FL
Kendall, FL
Plantation, FL

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Patient Experience

Sylvester aims to create a streamlined and compassionate treatment plan for each patient. Patients who visit Sylvester first meet a Cancer Care Coordinator who answers questions and explains the next steps. The patient care coordinator organizes the entire treatment process and acts as a continuous contact point while the patient meets other healthcare professionals.

Each case is different, but patients may work with some of the following specialists:

Medical oncologists
Surgical oncologists
Radiologists
Nurse practitioners
Researchers
Support staff (nutritionists, pharmacists, and others)

Sylvester also connects patients and their families with a mental health expert to help them cope with mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment.

Patients traveling to Sylvester by car receive a discounted valet parking rate. Or they can park in a nearby parking garage and ride the free shuttle to the hospital. Different shuttles operate on other routes and are available to patients and their families for a reasonable cost.

Sylvester Mesothelioma Program

Mesothelioma patients at Sylvester receive integrated care before, during, and after treatment from a variety of specialized physicians. At every step, Sylvester values the patient’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

Most physicians assigned to patients at Sylvester are site disease group-based. This means only those who specialize or have in-depth knowledge of mesothelioma are involved in treatment and care. Depending on the type of mesothelioma, patients will likely work with thoracic or GI specialists.

Mesothelioma Doctors at Sylvester

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Centers’ mesothelioma program currently includes the following doctors:

Dr. Alan S. Livingstone
Dr. Mecker Moller
Dr. Alan Dal Pra
Dr. Steven E. Rodgers
Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez
Dr. Nestor R. Villamizar

Finding a mesothelioma specialist is a personal decision that can sometimes feel overwhelming. We can help match you with a mesothelioma specialist if you would like assistance.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options at Sylvester

Patients at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center receive treatment individualized to their specific case. The treatment plan often involves a multimodal approach using more than one treatment.

Mesothelioma patients at Sylvester may receive one or more of the following treatments:

Surgery: Pleural mesothelioma surgeries, including extrapleural pneumonectomy and the lung-sparing pleurectomy. Robotic video assistance is often used to decrease blood loss and speed recovery.
Radiation Therapy: Oncologists use targeted radiation to deliver precision treatment in less time. It may be used on its own or after extrapleural pneumonectomy.
Chemotherapy: For patients with early-stage mesothelioma, chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with surgery to reduce recurrence. For later-stage mesothelioma, chemotherapy is used to ease symptoms and enhance quality of life.
Supportive Care: Sylvester’s comprehensive treatment plans offer a wide range of supplementary care and support services, including nutrition, exercise, mental well-being, mindfulness, pet therapy, and services for family members.

Treatment Update

Optune Lua™ treatment now offered at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials and Research

University Of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center research programs are currently conducting over 450 clinical research trials and cancer research initiatives. These projects aim to advance care in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for all cancer types by finding game-changer breakthroughs in treatments.

It is important to note that not all mesothelioma patients are candidates for clinical trials. Additionally, clinical trials are ongoing with varying enrollment dates and deadlines.

Contact our Patient Advocates 24/7 if you would like help finding information on potential mesothelioma clinical trials.

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Insurance Information

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center accepts all major traditional insurance providers. It works with Medicare, Medicaid, CHAMPUS, Workers’ Compensation, and several health organizations. To confirm insurance acceptance, check with your provider or call Sylvester at 305-243-1000.

Some insurance plans accepted at Sylvester include:

Aetna (HMO/PPO/POS)
Aetna Elect Choice (EPO)
Aetna Affiliates/Signature Adm. (ASA)
Aetna UM Employee (HMO 1/HMO 2)
Aetna UM Employee (POS/HRA)
AvMed (HMO/POS)
AvMed Choice
AvMed MDC and JHS Groups
BCBS BlueCare-HealthOptions (HMO)
BCBS BlueChoice (PPC-PPO)
BCBS MyBlue (HMO)
BCBS Simply Blue (HMO)
BCBS Traditional-PHS (PPO)
BCBS Blue Options-Network Blue (PPO)
BCBS Miami Dade Blue (PPO)
Beech Street (PPO)
Cigna (HMO/PPO/EPO/POS)
Cigna Affiliates
Cigna Shared Administration
Cigna SureFit
Cigna-MDCPS Jackson Sr. High
Coventry-First Health (PPO)
Coventry National (PPO)
Dimension Plus (PPO)
EHN (PPO)
Florida Healthcare Plan (Affiliate of BCBSFL)
Great West – Cigna (HMO/POS)
Health First Health (HMO/POS/PPO)
Humana (HMO/PPO/EPO)
Humana Premier
MultiPlan PHCS (PPO)
Neighborhood HealthPlan (HMO/POS/PPO)
North Broward Hospital District EE Group (PPO)
Religious Order of Jehovah’s Witnesses (PPO)
Tricare South Prime (HMO)
Tricare South Standard (PPO)
UnitedHealthcare (HMO/POS/PPO)
UnitedHealthcare Commercial Affiliates

Sylvester provides financial assistance to patients who meet eligibility and documentation requirements. Patients can read the hospital’s financial assistance policy for more information.

Seeking Treatment at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

If you are interested in seeking treatment at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center or another of the mesothelioma cancer treatment centers, contact our Patient Advocates. They are available day and night to assist you.