Dr. James Pingpank
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. James Pingpank is a surgical oncologist specializing in treating patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. He uses a combination of cytoreduction — a surgery to remove cancerous tumors from the abdominal lining — and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Learn more about Dr. Pingpank and get our help connecting with him today.
or call (866) 608-8933
or call (866) 608-8933
About Dr. James Pingpank
- Peritoneal mesothelioma surgeon
- 10+ years of experience treating cancer with HIPEC
- Regularly featured speaker at the International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma
Dr. James Pingpank is an internationally recognized surgical oncologist and expert in gastrointestinal diseases. He has treated many patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma throughout his decades-long career.
In addition to serving as director of the Gastrointestinal Surgery Division at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Dr. Pingpank is also a professor of surgery at the university’s medical school.
He is board-certified in general surgery and specializes in minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and robotic surgical techniques.
“I take a collaborative approach and work closely with referring physicians throughout the community to provide a seamless transition of care from pre-operative, to surgery, to post-operative.”
– Dr. James Pingpank
A highly respected figure in the cancer research community, Dr. Pingpank is actively involved in clinical trials testing new treatments. He has authored over 100 scientific articles, book chapters and abstracts, and has spoken at several national and international events.
Download our Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist before meeting with Dr. Pingpank or any mesothelioma specialist to get the answers you need.
Dr. Pingpank’s Background
Dr. Pingpank received his medical degree from The George Washington University in 1992.
He completed his surgical residency at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and a fellowship in surgical oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Before joining UPMC as a surgical oncologist in 2008, Dr. Pingpank was a research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.
Awards & Honors
- American Cancer Society Distinguished Service Award
- American College of Surgeons Outstanding Cancer Researcher Award
- Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor
- Compassionate Doctor Recognition
- National Cancer Institute Director’s Award
- Patient’s Choice Award
- Technology Transfer Award
- The Vital’s On-Time Doctor Award
Professional Affiliations
- American Association for Cancer Research (Member)
- American College of Surgeons (Fellow)
- American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (Member)
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (Member)
Recent Publications
- Kowalsky, Stacy, et al. (2021). Omission of right hemicolectomy may be safe for some appendiceal goblet cell adenocarcinomas: a survival analysis of the National Cancer Database.
- Mercier, Frederic, et al. (2022). An international registry of peritoneal carcinomatosis from appendiceal goblet cell carcinoma treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. World Journal of Surgery.
- Najjar, Yana G.., et al. (2022). Neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and high-dose IFNα-2b in resectable regionally advanced melanoma. Clinical Cancer Research.
- Rieser, Caroline, et al. (2022). ASO visual abstract: socioeconomic barriers to CRS HIPEC for appendiceal cancer within a regional academic hospital system. Annals of Surgical Oncology.
Use our Free Doctor Match to find other top specialists like Dr. Pingpank who treat peritoneal mesothelioma.
Dr. James Pingpank’s Medical Specializations
Dr. Pingpank specializes in treating peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of cancer is caused when asbestos fibers become lodged in the peritoneum — the lining that covers the abdomen.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of mesothelioma after pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma typically include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
Additionally, patients may experience a feeling of fullness after eating or drinking.
The most effective treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma is cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC.
Cytoreductive Surgery With HIPEC
Dr. Pingpank has specific expertise in performing cytoreduction surgery with HIPEC on peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
During the cytoreduction portion of the procedure, he removes as many visible tumors as possible from the abdominal cavity.
Dr. Pingpank then fills the patient’s abdominal cavity with a warmed chemotherapy solution (HIPEC) to kill the remaining tumors. After about 60 to 90 minutes, the abdominal cavity is drained and rinsed.
One benefit of applying mesothelioma chemotherapy this way is the drugs are administered directly to the affected area without having to travel through the bloodstream. This means that doctors can use a higher dosage than usual, which makes the procedure more effective.
“We think that durable control of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is possible for patients undergoing aggressive surgical therapy.”
– Dr. James Pingpank
In our Free Mesothelioma Guide, learn about cytoreduction with HIPEC and other treatments that may improve your prognosis.
Working With Dr. Pingpank
Dr. Pingpank is committed to providing his patients with the highest quality of care and helping them live their best lives. He is an inspiring leader in gastrointestinal oncology and is devoted to advancing the science and practice of cancer care.
He spends time with each patient to listen to their concerns, answer questions, and thoroughly explain their treatment options.
Contact our team today if you want more information about working with Dr. Pingpank or another peritoneal mesothelioma specialist.
Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. James Pingpank. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. James Pingpank 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.
