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Mesothelioma Specialty Care Center at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is an international leader in health care. Its UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is home to one of the nation’s top mesothelioma cancer treatment centers. The Mesothelioma Specialty Care Center at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center provides comprehensive care with experts in areas such as thoracic surgical oncology, radiology, and pain management.

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About the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

UPMC is a large-scale integrated network of cancer physicians and health care specialists. It is a major non-governmental employer in Pennsylvania, with 92,000 employees.

Notably, it is home to the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, which offers treatments to Pennsylvanians living with a rare cancer called mesothelioma.

At UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, which is one of the nation’s top cancer facilities, patients receive the most effective, personalized, and up-to-date clinical care in cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center’s flagship facility is located in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh. However, as one of the largest cancer care networks in the country, UPMC has locations throughout northwest and central Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and western Maryland.

Here’s why mesothelioma patients choose UPMC Hillman Cancer Center:

  • One of the most extensive cancer care networks in the country
  • The only facility in western Pennsylvania with the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) elite designation of Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • National rankings in U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll
  • Ranked #1 hospital in Pittsburgh by U.S. News & World Report
  • Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as having one of the nation’s best cancer programs
  • Develops individualized treatment plans for each patient
  • Offers access to clinical trials through its research center

In October 2023, UPMC was named one of the country’s “Digital Health Most Wired” health systems by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives for the 25th year in a row. The designation signifies that UPMC uses advanced technologies to improve patients’ health.

Looking to find top cancer centers and hospitals after a mesothelioma diagnosis? We can help. Use our Free Doctor Match to get started.

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University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Patient Experience

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s health system is known for its excellent patient experience. This includes providing patients with convenience, comfort, support, and a caring and welcoming environment.

UPMC is a patient-centered medical home that builds collaborative partnerships between the patient, the family, and the medical team, including care managers who help coordinate the care plan.

“A passion for innovation lies at the heart of UPMC’s success. UPMC’s unique strategy of combining clinical and research excellence with business-like discipline translates into high-quality patient care for both western Pennsylvanians and the global community.”

– University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

At UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the team takes pride in its integrated capabilities, such as world-class clinical and technological innovation, research into mesothelioma and other cancers, and education. This keeps patients at the forefront of everything they do and creates a model that ensures proper care for everyone.

Each health care provider at UPMC is committed to patient safety and providing reliable and consistent care. This is because UPMC fosters a “culture of safety,” with communication and transparency being key. This helps create a partnership for the patients and the medical team to feel comfortable.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, with its patient-centered focus, recognizes that early detection and prompt treatment are essential for managing all forms of cancer to the most favorable outcome possible.

For mesothelioma patients, this means developing personalized treatment plans because each type, stage, and location requires a unique treatment strategy.

UPMC’s Mesothelioma Specialty Care Center

The Mesothelioma Specialty Care Center at UPMC  was introduced in 2011 and focuses on providing the best possible therapies for mesothelioma patients. The Center is equipped with specialists who are experts in treating pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.

The treatment approach at UPMC includes diagnostic measures, imaging scans, and biopsy tests, which help identify the patient’s cancer stage and cell type.

Extensive planning is the key to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. The aim is for patients to visit the facility just one week after the initial consultation to start treatment as soon as possible. A coordinator will guide you through the entire process, schedule appointments, and serve as a liaison between the patient and the treatment team.

A team of doctors works together to devise a customized treatment and healthcare plan for each patient. This includes working with primary care physicians and the mesothelioma patient’s local oncologist.

The team at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center specializes in:

  • Medical and radiation oncology
  • Pain management
  • Pathology
  • Pulmonology
  • Radiology
  • Thoracic surgical oncology

Mesothelioma Doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center’s mesothelioma doctors include:

Use our free checklist of Questions to Ask a Mesothelioma Doctor to find the best specialist for your case.

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  • Preparing for treatment
  • Finding clinical trials
  • Getting a second opinion

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Mesothelioma Treatment Options at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Several mesothelioma treatment options are available at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. As one of the most experienced and extensive treatment facilities, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center creates a comprehensive treatment plan for each case.

Depending on the patient, mesothelioma treatment options could include:

  • Surgery
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation
  • Clinical trials

Mesothelioma Surgical Options at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center surgeons are developing groundbreaking surgical options using chemoperfusion, a highly specialized treatment offered at only a few facilities in the country.

Pleural mesothelioma surgeries include:

Peritoneal mesothelioma surgeries include:

  • Cytoreduction with HIPEC, where cancer is removed from the abdominal cavity and then doctors apply chemotherapy to kill unseen cancer cells
  • Peritonectomy surgery to remove the cancerous part of the abdominal lining

Chemotherapy for Mesothelioma

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center offers a full range of chemotherapy medications, which help to break up cancer cells. Notably, doctors can apply HIPEC, which is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, after peritoneal mesothelioma surgery to help patients live longer.

Chemotherapy may also be used by itself to destroy mesothelioma cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma

The Department of Radiation Oncology at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center has extensive experience using leading-edge approaches to treat mesothelioma. These therapies include intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT).

Use our Free Mesothelioma Doctor Match to find top doctors, like the ones at UPMC, who can treat you.

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Free Mesothelioma Doctor Match

We'll help you connect with a local mesothelioma specialist for personalized treatment.

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Mesothelioma Clinical Trials at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

As an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, UPMC participates in many government-funded clinical trials. UPMC has changed lives for more than 30 years through its commitment to excellence in cancer care research.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center researchers work with clinicians to advance promising studies into clinical trials.

Clinical trials are important in cancer care because they help:

  • Find better ways to treat cancer
  • Identify new technology to invest in
  • Pioneer new cancer treatments
  • Reduce the hardships cancer causes

Since research studies at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center are continuously being performed, one of the best ways to find out what mesothelioma clinical trials are currently being offered at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is to visit the website.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Financial Assistance

UPMC may be able to offer financial assistance to mesothelioma patients.

Mesothelioma patients may be eligible for financial assistance if they:

  • Can prove they have a financial need
  • Do not have adequate health insurance
  • Do not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, or other government assistance

Patients interested in working with the world-renowned mesothelioma team at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center can connect with our Patient Advocates 24/7 for assistance.

Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact University of Pittsburgh Medical Center directly.

Jenna TozziWritten by:

Director of Patient Advocacy

Jenna 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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References
  1. Department of Surgery Research and Clinical Trials. UPMC. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2024, from https://www.upmc.com/Services/general-surgery-trauma/research/
  2. Lung Cancer & mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment: UPMC. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2024, from https://hillman.upmc.com/cancer-care/lung
  3. Mesothelioma types, risks, diagnosis, & treatment: UPMC. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2024, from https://hillman.upmc.com/cancer-care/lung/types/mesothelioma
  4. Paying my bill: UPMC – Pittsburgh, PA. UPMC. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2024, from https://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/paying-bill/
  5. Research & Clinical Trials. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2024, from https://hillman.upmc.com/research
  6. UPMC Facts & Stats: Health Care Provider & Insurer-Pittsburgh, PA. UPMC. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2024, from https://www.upmc.com/about/facts
  7. UPMC. (2023, October 12.) “UPMC Recognized as ‘Most Wired’ Health System for 25th Year.” Retrieved January 24, 2024,from https://www.upmc.com/media/news/101223-chime-most-wired
  8. Why UPMC? UPMC. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2024, from https://www.upmc.com/about/why-upmc
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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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