Van Elslander Cancer Center at Ascension St. John Hospital is a multidisciplinary cancer center in Michigan. It is one of a few facilities that specialize in treating peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdomen. It’s also home to one of the country’s highest-volume hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) programs.
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Available for ChatVan Elslander Cancer Center is part of Ascension Health, one of the country’s largest private health care systems. The cancer center is a specialty care facility of St. John Hospital.
Located outside of Detroit, Michigan, Ascension St. John Hospital is a full-service medical center with 24/7 emergency care. The hospital is equipped to deliver advanced surgical care and a wide range of minimally invasive procedures.
St. John Hospital is also a destination for specialty care, including heart, stroke, orthopedics, women’s health, and cancer. The cancer care facility is one of the few that specializes in treating peritoneal mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum).
Van Elslander Cancer Center uses a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer, where a team of doctors from different fields will see the patients. This team of experts includes surgeons and oncologists working with each patient to create a unique and personalized care plan.
“Your doctor will take the time to answer all your questions — big and small. By them getting to know you and working together, you get a care plan that is customized to your needs.”
—Van Elslander Cancer Center
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Van Elslander Cancer Center is located at 19229 Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan.
Here’s what patients should know about this mesothelioma treatment facility:
The physicians, surgeons, and other staff members at Van Elslander Cancer Center aim to treat every patient as a member of their own family. This is done through a multidisciplinary approach, which means that patients have access to the knowledge and experience of various care providers.
“You’ll have face-to-face visits with your doctor, and you’ll have an entire care team dedicated to your care – connecting the dots for you. Every appointment with our experienced and compassionate oncology specialists starts with a conversation.”
—Van Elslander Cancer Center
Patient care providers at Van Elsander Cancer Center include:
Additionally, these services are all offered in a single building. Regardless of whether a patient is coming in for laboratory testing, chemotherapy, or surgery, they can rest assured they don’t have to worry about locating multiple buildings.
Van Elslander Cancer Center places great importance on its patients’ mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Patients can relieve some of their stress, anxiety, and fear with access to:
In addition to these services, patients at Van Elslander are invited to spend some time in the calming Healing Gardens or Valade Healing Center, where they can walk through a labyrinth, meditate in a chapel, or take in some art in the gallery.
Finally, the center believes it’s important for patients and their families to be informed about their prognosis and treatment options.
That’s why there is a Cancer Resource Center on-site where patients can relax, read, and learn what to expect and what questions they should ask their medical team.
One of the specializations at Van Elslander is treating peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is the second most common type after pleural mesothelioma.
In peritoneal mesothelioma, cancer forms in the peritoneum, the abdominal cavity’s lining.
“I began to operate on and take care of patients with mesothelioma and developed a strong interest in the treatment needed and how best to ensure patients with peritoneal mesothelioma would receive the best care with the highest quality outcome.”
—Dr. Richard Berri, Chief of Surgical Oncology at Van Elslander Cancer Center
One of the main issues surgeons face when treating this form of cancer is that peritoneal mesothelioma does not grow in one large tumor — it’s a bunch of smaller tumors. These small tumors are more difficult for surgeons to see and remove. However, Van Elslander Cancer Center has the experience and skill to face these challenges.
The mesothelioma doctors at Van Elslander Cancer Center take a collaborative and comprehensive approach to developing the best treatment plan for each patient.
Van Elslander Cancer Center doctors are dedicated to developing a safe, highly specialized surgical and therapeutic care plan customized for each patient. Minimally invasive treatments and approaches are recommended whenever possible.
The mesothelioma program is led by Dr. Richard Berri, who came to the center in 2011.
Dr. Berri is the Chief of Surgical Oncology, Director of the Peritoneal Malignancies Program, and Director of the Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Program.
Dr. Berri began working with peritoneal mesothelioma patients in 2008 at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. It was through this experience that he developed a strong interest in HIPEC.
When he arrived at Van Elslander Cancer Center, he established the first cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC program in Michigan. He and his team have performed over 400 HIPEC procedures since then.
Mesothelioma patient care teams at Van Elslander are made up of:
The mesothelioma doctors at Van Elslander Cancer Center work hard to provide each patient with the best surgical care and outcome possible and extend and improve their quality of life.
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While Van Elslander Cancer Center treats all forms of mesothelioma, it specializes in treating peritoneal mesothelioma through a team of oncologists and specialists dedicated to treating the rare disease.
Van Elslander Cancer Center has one of the country’s highest-volume nationally recognized HIPEC programs.
Mesothelioma treatment is determined for each patient on an individual basis and may include:
Mesothelioma treatment may involve immunotherapy and targeted therapy, including cancer vaccines and gene therapy.
While Van Elslander Cancer Center focuses more on patient care and treatment than research, its medical teams still match their patients with appropriate mesothelioma clinical trials.
These trials test the safety and efficacy of new drug treatments, radiation technologies (like IMRT), and surgeries. Clinical trials are incredibly important for patients with mesothelioma and other cancers.
You should talk with your doctor if you are interested in finding a mesothelioma clinical trial. Download our Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist to ensure you get the information you need during your appointment.
Van Elslander Cancer Center accepts most health insurance plans. Patients’ plans and coverage options occasionally change as the hospital strives to work with insurance providers to treat as many people as possible.
For the most accurate information, please get in touch with your health care insurance provider before beginning treatment at St John Hospital Van Elslander Cancer Center.
For dedicated assistance with all of your mesothelioma questions and needs, including seeking care at Van Elslander Cancer Center or other top mesothelioma treatment centers, you can connect with a Patient Advocate at Mesothelioma Hope.
With over 45 years of combined experience, our Patient Advocates offer personalized guidance to mesothelioma patients and their families.
Contact our team today to start your treatment journey — we’re standing by 24/7 to support you.
Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Van Elslander Cancer Center. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Van Elslander Cancer Center directly.
Written by:Jenna Tozzi, RNJenna Tozzi, RN, is the Director of Patient Advocacy at Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.
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