UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center for Mesothelioma

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is a nationally recognized facility that treats mesothelioma and other complex diseases. Mesothelioma specialists provide personalized care using surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and clinical trials. Get our help accessing treatment at UNC Lineberger today.

About UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNC LCCC) provides advanced diagnosis and treatment for patients with mesothelioma.

Its affiliation with the UNC School of Medicine allows patients across North Carolina to get treated in a setting that combines teaching, research, and clinical practice.

Key features of this treatment center include:

Access to advanced surgeries and radiation techniques
National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation
Supportive care services for patients and caregivers
A robust clinical trials program

Because mesothelioma is so rare, visiting a highly experienced cancer center like UNC Lineberger can make a meaningful difference in patient outcomes.

Mesothelioma Doctors at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Mesothelioma requires specialized care from providers familiar with asbestos-related cancers. At Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, mesothelioma patients have access to experts in surgery, targeted therapy, and palliative (pain-relieving) care.

Leading mesothelioma doctors at UNC LCCC include:

Dr. Elizabeth Gleeson: Surgical oncologist
Dr. Carrie B. Lee, MD: Medical oncologist
Dr. Chad Pecot: Medical oncologist
Dr. Jared Weiss: Medical oncologist

Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma may be treated by surgical oncologists who focus on complex abdominal cancers, while those with pleural mesothelioma are managed through UNC LCCC’s Thoracic Oncology Program.

If you need mesothelioma treatment in North Carolina, we can connect you with specialists at UNC Lineberger and other top cancer centers. Use our Free Doctor Match service to get started.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options at UNC Lineberger

For UNC Lineberger patients, mesothelioma treatments depend on cancer type, stage, and the patient’s overall health. Many people receive more than one form of therapy as part of a multimodal treatment plan for the best results.

Mesothelioma Surgery

Mesothelioma surgery may be considered for patients whose cancer hasn’t spread far and who are healthy enough to tolerate a major procedure.

For pleural mesothelioma, surgeries include:

Extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes the affected lung, lung lining, and surrounding tissue
Pleurectomy with decortication, which removes the diseased lung lining while preserving the lung itself

For peritoneal mesothelioma, surgeons may perform cytoreductive surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This approach allows doctors to surgically remove tumors and then destroy microscopic cells left behind by bathing the abdominal cavity with chemotherapy drugs.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for mesothelioma. It uses medication to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.

At UNC Lineberger, your medical oncologist will create a chemotherapy regimen that targets your cancer effectively while helping you live as comfortably as possible.

The most common chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma include:

Pemetrexed
Cisplatin or carboplatin

Chemotherapy can be given at different points in your mesothelioma treatment. It may be used before surgery to help shrink tumors, after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back, or as the main treatment if the disease is more advanced.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is an important treatment option for mesothelioma patients at Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. These medications help your immune system better recognize and attack mesothelioma cancer cells.

Your mesothelioma care team will review your cancer stage, cell type, and overall health to determine whether immunotherapy is right for you.

Immunotherapies used at Lineberger Cancer Center include:

Nivolumab (Opdivo®) with ipilimumab (Yervoy®)
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®)
Other immunotherapies available in clinical trials

Because these medications activate the immune system, they can sometimes cause inflammation in healthy parts of the body. If you’re eligible for immunotherapy, your doctor will monitor you closely and step in quickly to help you manage any side effects.

Radiation Therapy

UNC Lineberger’s mesothelioma radiation team uses advanced technologies to precisely target tumors while protecting healthy tissue.

UNC Cancer Center uses these latest techniques:

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), which uses imaging before and during treatment to improve accuracy
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which shapes radiation beams to match the tumor
TomoTherapy® systems that deliver highly precise, focused radiation

Radiation may be recommended after surgery, combined with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, or used to relieve symptoms like chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath.

Palliative Care

At the UNC Lineberger Center, palliative care is available at any stage of mesothelioma treatment. The purpose of palliative care for mesothelioma is to manage symptoms, improve comfort, and help patients stay as active and independent as possible.

Palliative care may include:

Paracentesis to remove excess abdominal fluid (ascites)
Personalized pain management plans
Sleep support for insomnia related to pain or breathing issues
Thoracentesis to drain fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion)

Download our Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist to help guide treatment conversations at your next appointment.

Mesothelioma Patient Support at Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

A mesothelioma diagnosis impacts every part of life, not just your health. At UNC Lineberger, care goes beyond treatment. The team understands that patients and families often need mental health support, practical guidance, and help managing daily tasks.

Depending on their needs, mesothelioma patients may have access to:

Financial counselors who assist with insurance questions
Guidance on proper diet and nutrition during treatment
Oncology social workers who provide emotional support
Support groups for caregivers and family members
Survivorship planning to help patients prepare for life after cancer

Together, these services help patients and families manage mesothelioma treatment plans while staying organized and informed.

“The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Support Program (CCSP) provides a wide range of services and programs to support patients and caregivers throughout the cancer journey.”
– Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

UNC Lineberger Mesothelioma Clinical Trials and Research

Clinical research is a key part of how UNC Lineberger cares for patients with mesothelioma. As an NCI-designated cancer center, it provides access to clinical trials studying new and emerging treatments that may not be widely available at other hospitals.

Mesothelioma research at UNC Lineberger focuses on:

Advanced radiation techniques
CAR T-cell therapy to reprogram immune cells
New chemotherapy combinations
Targeted therapies that attack tumors more directly

Use our Free Doctor Match tool to find specialists at UNC Lineberger who are involved in the latest mesothelioma research and clinical trials.

Connect With UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center for Mesothelioma Treatment

Choosing where to get mesothelioma treatment isn’t always easy. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center provides specialized care within a university-based medical setting.

Patients in North Carolina and surrounding areas have access to a full range of treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and clinical trials.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, reaching out to a comprehensive cancer center like UNC Lineberger can help you better understand your options and plan your next steps.

Mesothelioma Hope can connect you with experts at UNC Lineberger and other top cancer centers in your area. Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match to get started.