Dr. Mecker Möller
Director of the HIPEC Program and Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Mecker Möller, a surgical oncologist in Chicago, is a leading specialist for mesothelioma, particularly peritoneal mesothelioma. She sees patients at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center and previously worked at the University of Miami Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
2800 95th St, Evergreen Park, IL 60805
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More Information About Mesothelioma Specialist Dr. Mecker Möller
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that usually begins in the lining of the lungs or abdominal cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the lining of the abdominal cavity. Also called abdominal mesothelioma, this type of mesothelioma is Dr. Möller’s area of expertise.
Dr. Möller is the Director of the HIPEC Program and the Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program at the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is affiliated with the University of Chicago Medicine. HIPEC is a type of treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma that uses heated chemotherapy with surgery.
Dr. Möller was previously the leader of University of Miami’s Comprehensive Cancer Center’s program for peritoneal mesothelioma care. She was the first doctor to perform HIPEC surgery in South Florida.
“It is one of my biggest contributions to the university and patients,” Dr. Möller said. “We needed something like this in South Florida so people didn’t need to travel up to Moffitt (Cancer Center in Tampa).”
In addition to her medical role at the cancer center, Dr. Möller is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Chicago.
- Medical Degree from National Autonomous University of Nicaragua in Managua, 1997
- Residency in General Surgery at Michigan State University in Grand Rapids, 2006
- Fellowship in Complex Surgical Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, 2008
- Research Fellowship in Complex Surgical Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center, 2009
- Certified in surgery by the American Board of Surgery
- Membership in the Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Society
Get Connected to Dr. Mecker Möller
Dr. Mecker Möller runs the cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC program for University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center. She has given presentations at symposiums and conferences on peritoneal mesothelioma, proving her knowledge of this cancer.
Why Choose Dr. Möller?
- Sees a high volume of patients with peritoneal mesothelioma
- First doctor in South Florida to perform HIPEC with surgery
- Receives excellent patient reviews for care and comfort
Patients Need More Specialists Like Dr. Möller
The keystone options for mesothelioma treatment are surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy.
The main surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is cytoreduction with HIPEC surgery. This involves debulking or removing tumors and using heated chemotherapy to attack other, smaller cancer cells.
“Cytoreductive and HIPEC isn’t just cutting the patient open and doing the surgery,” Dr. Möller said. “It’s understanding the cancer and the multimodal approach to determine if the patient is the right candidate for this surgery.”
Dr. Möller said her initial interest in peritoneal mesothelioma stemmed from the challenge and commitment needed for this cancer.
“No one likes to be in surgery for 10-12 hours,” she said, referencing the meticulous and time-consuming nature of cytoreduction/HIPEC. “It’s technically challenging. I felt we needed to provide these patients with options for treatment.”
Cytoreduction with HIPEC can reach a mesothelioma survival rate of 40% for five years, depending on patient selection. It usually leads to median survival of 3-4 years. Dr. Möller and other specialists have found they “can prolong lives” of patients and even used the word “cure” for a few.
Dr. Möller’s Process for Cytoreductive Surgery
Dr. Möller feels strongly that removing the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity) is the only way to complete cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma. This lining is where the original tumor forms. It grows and multiplies beyond the lining and into the abdominal cavity.
Some surgeons feel remission or complete resection is possible without removing the peritoneum. Dr. Möller disagrees.
“You have to remove the peritoneum if you want to reduce your chances of recurrence,” she said, noting she also removes the omentum, plus any non-vital organs affected by tumors.
“You have to make sure if you’re treating someone with peritoneal mesothelioma then you remove the primary tumor, and that’s going to be in the peritoneum.”
High Rating of Reviews From Patients
One of the best pieces of evidence a surgeon or specialist is excellent is their patient reviews. Dr. Möller receives the highest rating (five stars) regularly from her past cases.
A review from February 2021 on her doctor profile page said, “Dr. Möller is genuinely concerned and analyzes the best course of action. She’s a great surgeon.” Another from April of 2021 said, “She was wonderful and put me at ease. We are very lucky to have her.”
Communication Strategy With Patients
Dr. Möller believes this type of positive feedback is due to her connection. She prioritizes listening intently to her patients and learning “what their expectations are and see how far they want to go to treat their cancer.”
Sometimes this doesn’t involve surgery. Many patients choose palliative care or systemic therapy (chemotherapy or immunotherapy) rather than aggressive surgery. These patients feel their quality of life in their final months is more important than trying to extend their life.
“You have to have compassion and listen to them,” Dr. Möller said. “They need to know you truly care. … Make them understand that whatever life they have left has meaning and purpose.”
Lastly, she ensures there’s a mixture of hope and realism in her guidance and advice.
“If this doesn’t work, what are the next steps?” she said. “How are we going to help you if surgery cannot?
“If I see the disease is beyond resectability, I’m honest with the patient. Then we look at clinical trials or systemic therapy.”
How to See Dr. Mecker Möller for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Dr. Möller welcomes new patients, especially those with peritoneal mesothelioma. If you don’t live near Chicago or the University of Chcago Cancer Center, you can still get care from Dr. Möller. Virtual appointments are an option for out-of-town patients.
We are a resource if you or your loved one want to see Dr. Möller for medical care. Our patient advocates can communicate with Dr. Möller and her staff to help set up your first meeting.
Registered nurse Karen Ritter is available by email. Reach out to her at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com or request more information on doctors with our free Doctor Match program. This offering helps us provide a list of possible matches based on your type of mesothelioma, location and more.
Sources & Author
- Mecker G. Möller, MD. UChicago Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/mecker-moller. Accessed: 11/21/2023.
- Mecker Moller, MD. University of Miami Health System. Retrieved from: https://doctors.umiamihealth.org/provider/Mecker+Moller/525248?_ga=2.38392163.1713037506.1638712475-78440731.1637072247. Accessed: 12/05/2021.
- Mecker Moller, M.D. University of Miami Health System. Retrieved from: https://umiamihealth.org/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center/research/faculty/mecker-moller. Accessed: 12/05/2021.
- Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal and Intrapleural Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Program. University of Miami Health System. Retrieved from: https://umiamihealth.org/en/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center/treatments-and-services/hyperthermic-intraperitoneal-and-intrapleural-chemotherapy. Accessed: 12/05/2021.
