University of Colorado Cancer Center | Mesothelioma Treatment

University of Colorado Cancer Center for Mesothelioma

The University of Colorado Cancer Center at Anschutz Cancer Pavilion is the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. It provides advanced, individualized treatment for mesothelioma patients, including access to innovative clinical trials and a team of leading specialists.

About University of Colorado Cancer Center

Established in 1985, CU Cancer Center is part of the UCHealth system, which includes top-tier hospitals across Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. It is one of just 72 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the U.S., and the only one in Colorado.

CU Cancer Center offers treatments that can help patients facing mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, potentially live longer and with a higher quality of life.

This cancer center offers:

Access to UCHealth and the Rocky Mountain VA
Advanced education and research programs
Cutting-edge treatment for mesothelioma
Patient-first cancer care

It’s been rated as an excellent hospital by U.S. News & World Report for its patient services and advanced treatment technologies.

University of Colorado Cancer Center Mesothelioma Doctors

CU Cancer Center’s mesothelioma care team is made up of nationally recognized experts in surgery, oncology, and therapeutics.

Its mesothelioma specialists include:

Dr. Steven Ahrendt – Surgical oncologist
Dr. Paul Bunn – Medical oncologist
Dr. D. Ross Camidge – Medical oncologist
Dr. Elizabeth David – Thoracic surgeon
Dr. John Hamner – Surgical oncologist
Dr. John D. Mitchell – Thoracic surgeon

Use our Free Doctor Match service to connect with a mesothelioma specialist at CU Cancer Center.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options at University of Colorado Cancer Center

UCHealth Cancer Care patients have access to a wide range of malignant mesothelioma treatment options. These include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Surgery

CU Cancer Center provides several surgical options for mesothelioma patients.

Here are the standard surgeries offered for mesothelioma:

Extrapleural pneumonectomy removes the pleura (lining of the lungs), part of the diaphragm, and the cancerous part of the lung. It also removes the lymph nodes in the chest and may remove the pericardium (the sac around the heart).
Pleurectomy with decortication takes out the parietal and visceral pleura along with the mesothelioma tumor. It doesn’t remove the lung.
Cytoreduction with heated chemotherapy is a procedure for peritoneal mesothelioma. The surgeon removes visible tumors from the abdominal cavity before directly applying a heated chemotherapy solution to kill remaining cancer cells.
Palliative surgeries treat fluid buildup, chest pain, and other common symptoms of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Doctors may recommend different options depending on the patient’s mesothelioma type, cancer stage, age, and overall health.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells in your body and prevent tumor growth. It’s often used with other treatments to improve survival and quality of life.

For example, doctors can use chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumors or after surgery (adjuvant) to destroy leftover mesothelioma cells.

Chemotherapy can also slow cancer progression and minimize symptoms for mesothelioma patients who don’t qualify for surgery.

Immunotherapy

A newer treatment option, immunotherapy harnesses the power of the immune system to fight cancer more effectively.

There are two main approaches to immunotherapy:

Boosting the body’s natural immune defenses
Using lab-engineered components of the immune system

The immunotherapy drugs currently approved for mesothelioma are pembrolizumab (Keytruda®), nivolumab (Opdivo®), and ipilimumab (Yervoy®).

At UC Cancer Center, immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy to help mesothelioma patients live as long as possible.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, uses high-energy particles or rays to kill mesothelioma cancer cells and shrink tumors.

There are two main types of radiation therapy:

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) uses a machine to deliver radiation to the tumor from outside the body.
Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) involves placing radioactive material near or inside the tumor.

Doctors may use radiotherapy alone or with other treatments like chemotherapy or surgery. They may also prescribe it for patients who can’t undergo surgery and for pain management in palliative care.

Download our Free Checklist of Questions to Ask Your Doctor and bring it to your next appointment to help ensure you’re getting the proper care.

Patient Care at University of Colorado Cancer Center for Mesothelioma

The University of Colorado Cancer Center provides comprehensive personalized care for mesothelioma patients.

You’ll receive care from a multidisciplinary team consisting of:

Nurses
Oncologists
Palliative care specialists
Pathologists
Radiologists
Surgeons

Once your doctors review your medical history and diagnosis, they’ll put together a care plan that’s tailored to your unique physical, emotional, and psychological needs. From there, you’ll start treatment and get supportive care to help you through the process.

“Our expert care team helps patients maintain a better quality of life from diagnosis through cancer treatment.”
– University of Colorado Cancer Center

University of Colorado Cancer Center Mesothelioma Clinical Trials & Research

At the University of Colorado Cancer Center, patients have access to cutting-edge clinical trials offering promising new treatment options for mesothelioma.

Two key studies currently enrolling patients include:

eVOLVE-Meso: This trial is combining the PD-1 inhibitor volrustomig with chemotherapy to see if it leads to longer survival than current treatments in patients with pleural mesothelioma.
INBRX-109 for Advanced Tumors: This study is testing an emerging treatment called INBRX-109 in people with advanced mesothelioma to see if it’s safe and what dose works best.

CU Cancer Center has also been awarded over 80 research grants from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) worth more than $17 million.

Paying for Treatment at University of Colorado Cancer Center

Cancer treatment can be expensive. Patients may be able to cover the cost of their medical care at University of Colorado Cancer Center by pursuing mesothelioma compensation.

Mesothelioma compensation can come from:

Asbestos trust funds: These were established by bankrupt asbestos companies to compensate those harmed by their products. On average, trust fund payouts range from $300,000 to $400,000, with over $30 billion still available. Claims are often processed in 90 days or less.
Mesothelioma lawsuits: A law firm that specializes in asbestos-related claims can help patients or their families pursue settlement compensation. Settlements typically range from $1 million to $1.4 million, although lawsuits may result in higher amounts.
VA benefits: Veterans exposed to asbestos during military service may be eligible for mesothelioma disability compensation worth $4,044.91 a month if married, as well as free or low-cost health care copays.

Any money received from these sources can help offset the costs of treatment, travel, palliative care, and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Get a Free Case Review to find out whether you’re owed mesothelioma compensation..

Get Treatment at University of Colorado Cancer Center for Mesothelioma

The University of Colorado Cancer Center’s Anschutz Medical Campus offers state-of-the-art therapies and care for mesothelioma patients.

Its multidisciplinary team of surgeons, nurses, medical oncology experts, and other providers will work together to provide tailored treatment plans, compassionate support, and access to clinical trials.

If you or a loved one is seeking mesothelioma treatment, the University of Colorado Cancer Center may be able to help.

Reach out to a Patient Advocate to connect with University of Colorado Cancer Center for mesothelioma treatment.