Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Treatment

If you are in Pennsylvania and living with mesothelioma cancer, you have a variety of options for specialized medical care. You may also be eligible for asbestos compensation to help pay for your treatment and out-of-pocket expenses. Learn more about the best treatment options available in Pennsylvania to help you battle a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Fact-Checked and Updated by: Jenna Tozzi, RN

Last updated:

Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Cancer Centers

The following are mesothelioma cancer centers in Pennsylvania where you can find a variety of treatments.

AHN Cancer Institute at Allegheny General Hospital

AHN Cancer Institute at Allegheny General Hospital

314 E North Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111

5115 Centre Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

3400 Civic Center Boulevard
West Pavilion
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center

51 N 39th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health

Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health

233 S 10th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Use our Free Doctor Match to get connected with a Pennsylvania mesothelioma doctor at one of these treatment centers.

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Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Doctors

There are several mesothelioma specialists in Pennsylvania who are skilled in diagnosing and treating this cancer.

Some of the top mesothelioma doctors in Pennsylvania include:

Dr. Corey J. Langer

Dr. Corey J. Langer

Medical oncologist

Director of Thoracic Oncology at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center

Dr. James Pingpank

Dr. James Pingpank

Surgical oncologist

Peritoneal mesothelioma surgeon at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Dr. Joseph S. Friedberg

Dr. Joseph S. Friedberg

Thoracic surgeon

Co-Director of Temple Health’s Mesothelioma and Pleural Disease Program

Other top mesothelioma specialists in Pennsylvania include:

  • Dr. David L. Bartlett

    Dr. David L. Bartlett

    Pennsylvania mesothelioma surgeon and chair of the AHN Cancer Institute at Allegheny General Hospital

  • Dr. James D. Luketich

    Dr. James D. Luketich

    Thoracic surgeon at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center specializing in pleural mesothelioma

  • Dr. Keith Cengel

    Dr. Keith Cengel

    Radiation oncologist and Executive Director of Penn Medicine’s Mesothelioma and Pleural Disease Program

  • Dr. Christine A. Ciunci

    Dr. Christine A. Ciunci

    Pennsylvania mesothelioma oncologist at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center

  • Dr. Stacey Su

    Dr. Stacey Su

    Thoracic surgeon at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia

  • Dr. Sunil Singhal

    Dr. Sunil Singhal

    Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center

Types of Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma treatment plans vary by each patient depending on the stage of their cancer, their age, and their overall health.

Cancer treatment options available in Pennsylvania for mesothelioma include:

  • Surgery: Depending on their type and stage of mesothelioma, patients may be able to undergo surgery to remove tumors and increase their life expectancy.
  • Chemotherapy: Cancer-fighting chemotherapy drugs can be used as a primary treatment for mesothelioma or in combination with surgery or radiation therapy.
  • Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs are the newest type of mesothelioma treatment that uses the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy: High-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy can be administered as a primary treatment for mesothelioma or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.
  • Clinical trials: Several cancer centers and clinics in Pennsylvania offer clinical trials to help patients access emerging treatments or new combinations of treatments for mesothelioma.

Meeting with a specialist to discuss your treatment options? Use our free checklist to make sure you leave with all the information you need.

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Mesothelioma Patient Care Teams in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania mesothelioma patient care teams are made up of multidisciplinary professionals who are dedicated to providing comprehensive medical treatment and support services.

These patient teams typically include:

  • Medical oncologists
  • Nurses
  • Nutritionists
  • Pathologists
  • Pulmonologists
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Social workers
  • Surgical oncologists
  • Thoracic surgeons

They work collaboratively to:

  • Develop personalized treatment plans
  • Offer symptom management and palliative care
  • Provide emotional support and cancer care education

Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Treatment Research and Clinical Trials

Pennsylvania has several top research centers conducting mesothelioma clinical trials. The goal of these trials is to identify more effective treatments that can improve patient survival.

Some of the top mesothelioma research centers in Pennsylvania include:

  • Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute (AFCRI)
  • Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University
  • Wistar Institute Cancer Center in Philadelphia

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials in Pennsylvania

Several of these cancer research centers are enrolling patients in clinical trials for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma treatments being studied in Pennsylvania clinical trials include:

  • Additional Chemotherapy After Surgery: This peritoneal mesothelioma trial is studying whether follow-up chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC increases patient survival.
  • Immunotherapy, Chemotherapy, and Surgery: This study is testing the immunotherapy drug Keytruda® with chemotherapy and image-guided surgery for patients with pleural mesothelioma.
  • New Chemotherapy Drug FF-10832: Researchers are determining the best dose of a new chemotherapy drug for advanced mesothelioma in combination with Keytruda.

Contact our registered nurses for help accessing new treatments and clinical trials where you live.

Scope of Asbestos-Related Diseases in Pennsylvania

Data from the Environmental Working Group shows there were 17,717 asbestos-related deaths in Pennsylvania between 1999 and 2017, with the most deaths occurring in Allegheny County.

Some notable Pennsylvania asbestos exposure sites include:

  • Bristol Steel Mill in Chester
  • General Electric Transportation in Ambridge
  • H.J. Heinz Manufacturing Plant in Pittsburgh
  • Mathis Shipyard in Philadelphia
  • National Sugar Refinery in Philadelphia
  • Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station in Erie
  • Pennsylvania Railroad in Harrisburg
  • Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in Harrisburg
  • U.S. Steel Mill in Pittsburgh

Despite these risks, residents diagnosed with mesothelioma have access to advanced treatment options through Pennsyvania’s state-of-the-art hospitals and cancer centers.

Cost of Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Treatment

On average, it costs well over $400,000 a year to treat mesothelioma, and insurance usually doesn’t cover everything.

Some potential expenses to consider include:

  • Blood work
  • Chemotherapy sessions
  • Hospital stays
  • Immunotherapy infusions
  • Medications
  • Multiple imaging scans
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery

The average cost above doesn’t include travel, transportation, or hotel stays during treatment.

Financial Assistance for Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma financial assistance can help you afford quality care if you qualify. Learn more about how to get compensation from lawsuits, trust fund claims, and veterans benefits below.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma patients in Pennsylvania may pursue legal action against companies responsible for their asbestos exposure. A successful mesothelioma lawsuit can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Our legal partners have secured over $300 million for Pennsylvania mesothelioma victims, including:

  • $4.2 million for a welder & shipfitter in Tobyhanna
  • $3.7 million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Clarion
  • $3.2 million for a police officer in Butler
  • $2.9 million for an assembly line worker in York
  • $1.5 million for a tailor & U.S. Army veteran

Request a free case review today to see if our partner law firm can help you or a loved one get financial assistance.

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  • No cost to file a claim
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Shara Fisher
Shara Fisher Senior Paralegal
17+ years providing legal help to mesothelioma victims

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Mesothelioma patients in Pennsylvania may be eligible to file claims with asbestos trust funds that were created to compensate asbestos victims.

Did You Know?

Over $30 billion is already set aside and currently available in asbestos trust funds.

We can help you determine where you may have been exposed to asbestos and file trust fund claims on your behalf. Contact us now to get started.

Veterans Benefits

Former service members with mesothelioma can apply for veterans benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover the costs of cancer treatment.

Eligible veterans may receive free or discounted medical care, disability compensation of nearly $4,000 a month, VA pensions, and other forms of financial assistance.

Get Help Finding Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Treatment

If you or a loved one lives in Pennsylvania and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have options. Treatment from specialists may help you improve your length and quality of life.

Mesothelioma Hope can connect you with doctors at top Pennsylvania mesothelioma treatment centers.

We can also help you:

  • Better understand your diagnosis
  • Enroll in clinical trials
  • Find support groups and peer mentors
  • File legal claims for mesothelioma compensation

Call (866) 608-8933 to speak with a Patient Advocate or get matched with a doctor now.

Jenna TozziWritten by:

Chief Patient Care Advisor

Jenna Tozzi, RN, is the Chief Patient Care Advisor for Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to cancer 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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References
  1. Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.afcri.upenn.edu/
  2. Allegheny Health Network. (n.d.). Mesothelioma: Thoracic conditions. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.ahn.org/services/cardiovascular/thoracic-conditions/mesothelioma
  3. Asbestos Nation. (n.d.). Asbestos deaths in Pennsylvania. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/pa/
  4. Jefferson Health. (n.d.). Cancer research. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/clinical-specialties/cancer/research
  5. Penn Medicine. (n.d.). Harron Lung Center: Pleural disease program. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/harron-lung-center/pleural-disease-program
  6. Penn Medicine. (n.d.). Mesothelioma treatment. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/types-of-cancer/mesothelioma/mesothelioma-treatment
  7. Penn Medicine. (n.d.). Penn mesothelioma and pleural program. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.pennmedicine.org/practices/penn-mesothelioma-and-pleural-program
  8. The Wistar Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.wistar.org/
  9. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. (n.d.). Mesothelioma: Lung cancer care. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://hillman.upmc.com/cancer-care/lung/types/mesothelioma
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Mesothelioma Hope is passionate about helping patients and families affected by this aggressive cancer. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary and isolating, but we’re here for you at every step. Hope is only a phone call away.

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Medical Guidance
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