The Mesothelioma Treatment Center You Choose Could Add Years to Your Life

When you're diagnosed with mesothelioma, every decision matters. But here's what most doctors won't tell you: where you get treatment could be the difference between months and years of life. National studies prove that patients at top centers don't just live longer, they also suffer fewer complications and get access to treatments that simply aren't available elsewhere.

Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma never learn they have a choice of where to go for treatment. They're sent to the nearest hospital, even when better options exist just hours away. Don't let geography determine your outcome.

The Research Is Clear: Better Hospitals Save Lives

Two major national studies examined thousands of mesothelioma patients across the country. What they found should change how every patient thinks about treatment:

The Survival Gap Is Shocking

"We demonstrate better survival outcomes for malignant peritoneal mesothelioma treated at academic compared to community facilities," researchers concluded after studying 2,682 patients nationwide. ¹

"Patients treated at HVFs (high volume facilities) may experience more favorable postoperative outcomes than those treated at LVFs (low volume facilities)," a second study found, adding that these findings "have implications for postoperative management, patient counseling, referring providers, and cost-effectiveness." ²

The numbers tell a stark story:

What this means: Patients at academic hospitals lived more than twice as long, gaining over a year of additional life with family and loved ones. Nearly 5 out of every 100 patients who would have died at low-volume hospitals survived when treated at high-volume centers.

Why Most Hospitals Aren't Enough

Most hospitals simply don't see enough mesothelioma cases to develop deep expertise in the disease. The average hospital sees maybe one or two cases per year with some seeing none at all. That means they may not offer:

• Advanced surgical techniques like cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma This complex procedure involves removing all visible tumors from the abdominal cavity, then bathing it with heated chemotherapy to kill remaining cancer cells. Studies show it can extend survival from less than a year to 3+ years for eligible patients, but requires specialized training and equipment that most hospitals don't have.

• Cutting-edge procedures like pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pneumonectomy for pleural cases These lung-sparing or lung-removing surgeries require thoracic surgeons with extensive mesothelioma experience to minimize complications and maximize survival benefits. The difference between an experienced surgeon and one who rarely performs these procedures can mean the difference between successful recovery and life-threatening complications.

• The latest immunotherapy combinations like nivolumab + ipilimumab This FDA-approved combination helps the immune system recognize and attack mesothelioma cells, extending survival especially for patients with aggressive subtypes. Many community hospitals lack the expertise to properly administer these complex treatments or manage their unique side effects.

• Clinical trial access to experimental treatments Clinical trials often provide access to breakthrough therapies years before they become widely available, giving patients additional treatment options when standard therapies fail. Most trials are only available at major academic centers with active research programs.

• Multidisciplinary care teams experienced with mesothelioma These teams include surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation specialists, pathologists, and support staff who meet regularly to develop personalized treatment plans. Coordinated care from specialists who understand mesothelioma's unique challenges leads to better outcomes and fewer treatment delays.

The Treatment Gap Is Real

Research shows that academic facilities were far more likely to offer life-extending care:

• Surgery rates: 42.9% of patients at academic facilities underwent major surgery compared to 20.2% at community facilities ¹

• Advanced chemotherapy: Academic centers were nearly three times more likely to use same-day, guideline-based chemotherapy protocols

• Specialized procedures: Community hospitals rarely offer HIPEC, with only 10.4% of peritoneal patients receiving this life-extending treatment vs. 28.8% at academic centers ¹

But at specialized centers, mesothelioma isn't a mystery. It's a major focus.

Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma are never told they have a choice of where to be treated. They're typically referred to the nearest local facility. As the studies have shown, that could be a mistake. The difference in treatment outcomes is measured in seasons, holidays, and life milestones. Patients at academic centers lived more than twice as long for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Don't Let Financial Barriers Keep You From Life-Saving Care

The best mesothelioma treatment often isn't covered by insurance or isn't available locally. But asbestos exposure creates legal rights that can fund the care you need.

We help our clients access expert treatment in two powerful ways:

Immediate Financial Support

• Advance travel costs for flights, lodging, and local transportation to reach top centers

• Cover caregiver expenses so your loved one can stay with you during treatment

• No upfront costs to you—we handle everything and get reimbursed from your eventual recovery

Substantial Compensation for Treatment

• Asbestos trust funds were funded with over $30 billion for victims and their families

• Lawsuit settlements can recover hundreds of thousands or millions for medical expenses

• Fast-track options available for urgent treatment needs

Advanced treatments like HIPEC, immunotherapy, and clinical trials can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Legal compensation helps ensure you can access the best care available and not just what's nearby or cheap.

We understand how overwhelming this feels. You may be tired, scared, or unsure who to trust. But here's what most families don't realize: the money from asbestos lawsuits and trust funds is often the key to accessing life-extending treatment. Don't let geography or finances determine your outcome. Let us help you get to the care that could save your life.

NCI-Designated Cancer Centers: Where We Send Our Clients

When our clients need the best possible care, we trust NCI-designated cancer centers. The National Cancer Institute designates only the most elite cancer centers in the United States—institutions that meet the highest standards for cancer research, patient care, and community outreach.

If you have mesothelioma, these centers represent your best chance at accessing cutting-edge treatments, clinical trials, and specialized expertise.

Why We Trust NCI-Designated Centers

Comprehensive Cancer Centers are the "full-service" elite institutions that must demonstrate excellence in three areas: laboratory research, clinical research and treatment, and community outreach. They conduct cutting-edge research to develop new treatments, offer the widest range of clinical trials, and provide the most advanced therapies. For our mesothelioma clients, Comprehensive Centers typically offer the best access to experimental treatments, specialized surgical programs like HIPEC, and multidisciplinary care teams that can coordinate complex treatment plans.

Clinical Cancer Centers focus primarily on delivering excellent patient care and conducting clinical research, but may have less laboratory research infrastructure than Comprehensive Centers. They still meet rigorous NCI standards and often excel in specific areas of cancer treatment. Many have strong community connections and may be more accessible for patients in certain regions—while still maintaining the highest standards of care.

What We Tell Our Clients: Both types represent the gold standard in cancer care that we want for every mesothelioma patient. Comprehensive Centers may have slight advantages in access to the newest experimental treatments and specialized procedures like HIPEC, but Clinical Centers often provide outstanding care with potentially shorter wait times and stronger local support networks.

What NCI Designation Guarantees

NCI-designated centers must demonstrate:

• Leading-edge research in cancer treatment and prevention

• Multidisciplinary patient care with specialized teams experienced in rare cancers

• Clinical trial access to experimental therapies before they're widely available

• Advanced treatment capabilities including complex surgical procedures and innovative drug combinations

• Rigorous peer review of their research and clinical programs

• Commitment to excellence that's verified through regular federal oversight

For a rare cancer like mesothelioma, this level of expertise matters.

Complete Directory of NCI-Designated Cancer Centers

The following centers represent the highest standard of cancer care in America. With legal compensation, distance doesn't have to be a barrier to accessing treatment at any of them.

If you need help getting into an appropriate mesothelioma treatment center, call us today at 833-4-ASBESTOS.

References:

1. Welten, V. M., Fields, A. C., Malizia, R. A., Yoo, J., Irani, J. L., Goldberg, J. E., Bleday, R., & Melnitchouk, N. (2022). Survival Outcomes for Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma at Academic Versus Community Hospitals. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 26(1), 161–170. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-021-05084-0

2. Verma, V., Ahern, C. A., Berlind, C. G., Lindsay, W. D., Grover, S., Culligan, M. J., Friedberg, J. S., & Simone, C. B. (2018). Facility volume and postoperative outcomes for malignant pleural mesothelioma: A National Cancer Data Base analysis. Lung Cancer, 120, 7–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lungcan.2018.03.019

3. National Cancer Institute. (2025). Find an NCI-Designated Cancer Center. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find