University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center
The Abramson Cancer Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is one of a select group of cancer centers in the country to be awarded the prestigious honor of Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Their prestigious status reflects outstanding research, clinical services, education and information services and community outreach.
Penn Medicine’s Mesothelioma and Pleural Program
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are treated with well-educated specialists and state of the art treatment options. Penn Medicine pleural specialists offer more treatment options than most other health systems across the country and around the world.
Penn Medicine’s Mesothelioma and Pleural Program and Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center unite internationally renowned experts in medical, surgical and radiation oncology and pulmonology who collaborate in the diagnosis, treatment and research of mesothelioma and pleural disease.
Penn’s multimodal approach to treatment of cancer combines innovative treatments of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery to provide the best form of attack against cancer.
Mesothelioma patients and their families will receive the support and education that they need to understand the diagnosis as well as the vast resources available to them. In addition to the physicians, the program enlists internationally recognized specialists who are supported by an experience and dedicated team that includes nurses with advanced training and expertise in treating mesothelioma and pleural diseases.
The program has cancer counselors to provide individual or family counseling for issues many patients face. Additionally, respiratory therapists are available to evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders. Registered dieticians can meet with a patient to discuss nutrition and healthy lifestyle tips for those with cancer.
Research
Clinical trials and research play an important role in Penn’s Mesothelioma and Pleural Program. When appropriate, patients are enrolled in clinical trials that help to improve the current treatments as well as obtain information about new cancer treatments and drugs.
Scientists are exploring new ways to improve and expedite the diagnostic process through a greater understanding of mesothelioma’s genetic link. Researchers are also aggressively studying the use of experimental therapies such as photodynamic therapy and proton therapy — two techniques that are showing promise in the treatment of mesothelioma.
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