Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

About Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is based at the University of Miami. This facility is recognized nationwide 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. Notably, doctors at Sylvester can treat the two most common forms of mesothelioma.

These are: 

• Pleural mesothelioma: This is the most common type and forms in the lung lining (pleura)
• Peritoneal mesothelioma: This is the second most common type and it develops in the abdominal lining (peritoneum)

This is a unique benefit because most cancer centers only treat one type of mesothelioma. Since each type develops in a different part of the body, unique treatments are required for each.

As a university hospital, Sylvester also has the resources and equipment to conduct innovative research and offer leading clinical trials.

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

Get your Free Mesothelioma Guide for more information on top cancer centers and how to connect with them.

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Quick Facts

• Offers targeted, multidisciplinary mesothelioma treatment tailored to each patient
• Ranked among the top 10 robotic video-assisted surgery programs in the southeastern United States
• Ranked as a top cancer hospital in Florida by U.S. News & World Report (2023-2024)
• Recognized by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Listed in the Journal of the American Medical Association “Elite Cancer Centre”
• Provides access to cutting-edge treatments provided through NCI’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program and National Clinical Trials Network program

Sylvester’s Mesothelioma Program

Mesothelioma patients at Sylvester receive integrated and specialized care depending on which type of mesothelioma they have.

Patients with pleural mesothelioma are typically treated with surgery to remove tumors from the lungs, with other therapies like chemotherapy and radiation being used as well to destroy cancer at a microscopic level. The lung closest to the patient’s cancer may be taken out, too.

Peritoneal mesothelioma patients can receive cytoreduction with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC), a treatment that helps many patients live for 4 years or more.

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 the following treatments:

• Surgery: Pleural mesothelioma surgeries, including the lung-removing extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and the lung-sparing pleurectomy with decortication (P/D). Cytoreduction is also used to surgically treat peritoneal mesothelioma.
• Chemotherapy: For patients with early-stage mesothelioma, chemotherapy is often used with surgery to reduce recurrence. For later-stage mesothelioma, chemotherapy is used to ease symptoms and enhance quality of life. HIPEC is specifically used to help peritoneal mesothelioma patients at Sylvester under the direction of Dr. Agustin Pimentel.
• Radiation therapy: Oncologists use targeted radiation to deliver precision treatment in less time. It may be used on its own or after an EPP.
• 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.

Further, Sylvester doctors are studying several new treatments available in clinical trials, such as the use of surgery followed by radiation to help pleural mesothelioma patients live longer.

Treatment Update

Optune Lua™ treatment now offered at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Doctors at Sylvester

Dr. Dao Nguyen currently serves as the Section Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Other mesothelioma doctors at Sylvester include:

• Dr. Alan S. Livingstone
• Dr. Raja Mudad
• Dr. Agustin Pimentel
• Dr. Alan Dal Pra
• Dr. Steven E. Rodgers
• Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez
• Dr. Nestor R. Villamizar

“Cancer care requires a team of experts that are working together toward the benefit of the patient. Here at Sylvester, we have the ability to see patients altogether in a telemedicine clinic with multiple experts at the same time.”
– Dr. Nestor R. Villamizar, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Thoracic Surgeon

Dr. Mecker Moller previously treated patients at this facility but has since transferred to the University of Chicago.

Use our Free Doctor Match to find top mesothelioma specialists near you.

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 health care 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)

“At Sylvester, we are affirming the efficacy of their systematic utilization of cutting-edge technology in medical practice.”
– Dr. Dao Nguyen, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Section Chief of Thoracic Surgery

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

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 with the goal of helping patients live longer.

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.

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn more about how clinical trials may be able to help you after a diagnosis and how to access them with our assistance.

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 want treatment at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center or another mesothelioma cancer center, contact our Patient Advocates, available 24/7.

The entire Mesothelioma Hope team is committed to helping patients get the best possible care. To that end, our Patient Advocates have helped a wide range of other patients and loved ones get treatments from skilled doctors and cancer centers near them.

Don’t wait: Our team is standing by to assist you right now.