The top mesothelioma cancer centers in the world offer experienced staff, plenty of treatment options and additional support resources.
There’s a subset within the segment of top cancer hospitals: academic‑affiliated institutions, such as those connected to a prestigious university. Those mesothelioma cancer centers, according to a new report, boast the best survival stats in the country.
A report in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery analyzed survival data and treatment approach for peritoneal mesothelioma. The report divided the 2,682 cases between those treated at a community hospital and those treated at an academic hospital.
The cases from the academic‑affiliated cancer centers fared much better in terms of survival, partly due to the use of aggressive surgery with same‑day chemotherapy.
Survival for Peritoneal Mesothelioma: By Type of Hospital
There was nearly an even split between cases seen at an academic facility (1,272, 47%) and those at a community hospital (1,410, 53%). The five‑year survival rate for peritoneal mesothelioma was 30% at academic cancer centers, compared to 18% at community hospitals.
Around 43% of the cases at academic facilities incorporated debulking surgery into the treatment approach. Debulking surgery, or cytoreductive surgery, involves removing all visible tumors and any potentially diseased tissue. This surgery may involve radical measures such as removing the peritoneal lining or some abdominal cavity organs.
At community hospitals, only 20% of cases had cytoreductive surgery.
There were similar discrepancies for using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This therapy involves hot liquid chemotherapy bathing the abdominal cavity to wash organs and diseased tissue. This sterilizes the area and kills hidden tumors.
While 29% of patients at academic facilities received HIPEC, this applied to only 10% at community cancer centers.
Top Academic Cancer Centers for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Some of the top cancer centers for peritoneal mesothelioma aren’t associated with a university. Medical institutions such as AdventHealth are unaffiliated and boast impressive survival stats.
However, there’s no question going to an academic cancer center has benefits. These institutions often have more research opportunities and funding due to their link with a college.
Some of the top academic cancer centers for peritoneal mesothelioma are:
- Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center (Baylor College of Medicine)
- MD Anderson Cancer Center (University of Texas)
- University of Chicago Cancer Center
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Wake Forest Baptist Cancer Center (Wake Forest University)
If you have peritoneal mesothelioma, we recommend visiting any of the above cancer centers for treatment. We can even help you get started in scheduling a meeting with a specialist. Email our lead patient advocate and registered nurse, Karen Ritter, at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com.
Sources & Author
- Survival Outcomes for Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma at Academic Versus Community Hospitals. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34287781/. Accessed: 07/27/2021.
Sources & Author
