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Rochester, MN 55905 - Chair of the Division of General Thoracic Surgery Dr. Dennis Wigle
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Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is a highly respected nonprofit medical facility routinely ranked #1 in the nation. Its providers have extensive experience with mesothelioma, seeing between 100 and 150 patients each year. Get our help connecting with Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center for mesothelioma treatment today.
About Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center has an international reputation as a hub of cancer treatment and research. Treating all types of mesothelioma, the center has outstanding cancer experts, including physicians and scientists, who work together to provide some of the best care plans in the country.
“Mayo Clinic is once again honored to lead the “Best Hospitals” rankings. This recognition affirms our commitment to health care excellence as we continue to transform health care for people everywhere.”
– Dr. Gianrico Farrugia, Mayo Clinic’s president and CEO
The cancer specialists at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center are dedicated to innovation and collaboration to drive breakthroughs in mesothelioma treatment.
This culture makes its health care system well respected in cancer prevention and cancer screening, as well as providing world-class patient care.
Mayo Clinic Location & Overview
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center has three campuses, each with on-site mesothelioma specialists. The main campus is in Rochester, Minnesota, with additional campuses located in Jacksonville, Florida, and Phoenix, Arizona. All three are considered excellent facilities.
Highlights of Mayo Clinic include:
- Ranked #1 hospital in the world by Newsweek for 2025
- Has the most top-ranked specialties in the nation, per U.S. Health News & World Report
- National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Care designation since 1973
- Treats over 1.3 million patients from 130 countries each year, including those diagnosed with mesothelioma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and many other types of cancer
Mesothelioma Doctors at Mayo Clinic Rochester
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center provides comprehensive care to patients with all types of mesothelioma, including pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and testicular. The Mayo Clinic oncology team includes a mesothelioma specialty group with a multidisciplinary team to evaluate patient cases with wide-ranging expertise.
The doctors at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center are known for their expertise in caring for patients. The team of Mayo Clinic oncology doctors is one of the most well-rounded and experienced in the country.
Mayo Clinic oncology physicians specializing in mesothelioma include:
- Dr. William G. Breen, radiation oncologist
- Dr. Sara K. Daniel, surgical oncologist
- Dr. Anastasios Dimou, oncologist
- Dr. Travis E. Grotz, surgical oncologist
- Dr. Antonious Z. Hazim, oncologist
- Dr. Konstantinos Leventakos, oncologist
- Dr. Aaron S. Mansfield, oncologist
- Dr. Julian Molina, oncologist
- Dr. Dawn Owen, radiation oncologist
- Dr. Kaushal Parikh, oncologist
- Dr. Anja C. Roden, pathologist
- Dr. Mohamed M. Shanshal, oncologist
- Dr. Katie E. Smith, oncologist
- Dr. Anne-Marie G. Sykes, radiologist
- Dr. Meng Welliver, radiation oncologist
- Dr. Dennis Wigle, thoracic surgeon
Connect with the mesothelioma specialists at Mayo Clinic and other top cancer centers with our Free Doctor Match service.
Mayo Clinic Mesothelioma Treatments
Mesothelioma treatment at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and palliative care. Your recommended treatment plan will depend on your unique situation, including your cancer type, cell type, overall health, and other factors.
In many cases, doctors at Mayo Cancer Center will recommend a multimodal approach, which is the combination of different types of treatments to more effectively target the cancer.
Surgeries for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma surgery is used to remove visible tumors, which can improve symptoms and slow down or stop further cancer growth. Not all patients will be eligible for surgery, but it can be an effective option for those who are.
Mesothelioma surgeries offered at Mayo Clinic include:
- Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) removes the lining of the lung while leaving the lungs intact. This is the preferred procedure for pleural mesothelioma patients.
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) involves removing the lung closest to the cancer, as well as the diaphragm and parts of the heart and chest lining. This is the more aggressive type of surgery for pleural mesothelioma.
- Cytoreduction with HIPEC removes tumors from the abdominal lining and flushes the area in a warm chemotherapy bath. This is the most common surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
Doctors can determine if mesothelioma surgery will be a good fit for you when making a diagnosis. They may also recommend other treatments like chemotherapy in tandem with it for the best results.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a medicine that kills cancer cells. It’s one of the most common types of mesothelioma treatment, and is often used in combination with other therapies.
At Mayo Clinic, chemotherapy is often used before surgery to help shrink tumors or after to prevent mesothelioma from coming back. Chemotherapy can be administered orally, intravenously, or in tandem with a surgical procedure like cytoreduction.
The most common chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma are pemetrexed (Alimta®) and cisplatin or carboplatin.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a newer treatment that’s bringing a lot of promise to mesothelioma patients. It involves specialized drugs that stimulate the body’s immune system to more effectively fight off cancer.
These medications help the body’s natural defenses both detect and destroy cancer cells, slowing tumor spread and keeping the disease under control. The most common immunotherapy combination for mesothelioma is nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (Yervoy®).
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these treatment options and what may work for you. Download our helpful list of Questions to Ask Your Doctor for help guiding the conversation.
Radiation
Radiation uses high-energy beams to directly target a tumor. It’s often used as a complement to other mesothelioma treatments. Radiation can be used to relieve pain and shrink tumors.
Radiation therapy for mesothelioma may also be used as a post-surgical procedure to help kill any lingering cancer cells or in scenarios where surgery isn’t an option.
Palliative Care
Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center has palliative care specialists in-house to help ease pain and discomfort through minor surgical procedures, pain medication, and other methods.
Palliative care options at Mayo Clinic may include:
- Medications to address specific symptoms or treatment side effects, including drugs to help with nausea, low appetite, sleep disorders, and anxiety and depression
- Pain management, including over-the-counter medications, prescription pain medications, and nerve blockers and steroids
- Minor surgeries to reduce discomfort from fluid buildup, including pleurodesis for pleural mesothelioma patients
Palliative care can be pursued at any point after a mesothelioma diagnosis, and many patients benefit from starting this care early on. The team at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center can help develop a plan to address symptoms, side effects, and quality of life.
Clinical Trials at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center participates in hundreds of ongoing cancer clinical trials, giving mesothelioma patients access to new treatment options that aren’t yet available to the public. Mesothelioma clinical trials can potentially be life-saving for patients who have stopped responding to standard treatments.
Clinical trials at Mayo Clinic hospital for mesothelioma that are currently accepting new patients include:
- Chemotherapy With or Without Immunotherapy for Peritoneal Mesothelioma: This phase II clinical trial compares whether chemotherapy with immunotherapy is more effective than standard chemotherapy.
- MEDI5752 With Carboplatin Plus Pemetrexed In Unresectable Pleural Mesothelioma: This phase III study is evaluating a new drug, volrustomig (MEDI5752), and its ability to improve outcomes in pleural mesothelioma patients who can’t receive surgery.
It is important to note that not all mesothelioma Mayo Clinic patients are eligible to participate in clinical trials. Additionally, there is no guarantee of a cure for those who do.
“We strive to provide clinical trial opportunities for every patient that walks through the doors of our clinic. Approximately 25% of patients we see in our division get enrolled in some form of clinical trial.”
Connect with a doctor who can help you explore clinical trials. Use our Free Doctor Match service to get started now.
Patient Experience at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center
Patients who choose Mayo Clinic Cancer Center can expect the standard of care they would receive from a world-class medical facility.
Mayo Clinic is one of the most advanced hospitals of its kind and effectively combines clinical work, education, and research programs. This approach helps deliver innovative and cutting-edge cancer care.
Mayo Clinic’s patient experience focuses on:
- In-house support across every specialty in the medical field
- Accurate diagnoses and state-of-the-art testing
- Personalized treatment plans that focus on the individual
- Supportive care for counseling, diet and nutrition planning, and faith-based support
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center takes a personal approach to treatment, combining multidisciplinary care with state-of-the-art research. Because numerous specialists participate in the diagnosis and treatment process, patients can rest assured that they have received several second opinions from highly qualified professionals.
“Compassion is at the heart of our care. At Mayo Clinic, unhurried, comprehensive evaluations offer the best chance of healing and getting back to your life.”
– Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Get Treatment at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
The multidisciplinary teams at Mayo Clinic can help patients with all types of mesothelioma, improving symptoms and quality of life, and potentially improving life expectancy. Our team at Mesothelioma Hope is here to help you connect with Mayo Clinic and pursue a comprehensive treatment plan.
Our Patient Advocates can help you:
- Find a doctor near you
- Understand your treatment options
- Learn what financial support may be available
- Join a support group
Get started with our Free Doctor Match service or call (866) 608-8933 to get in touch today.
Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Mayo Clinic Cancer Center directly.
Written by:Jenna Tozzi, RNJenna Tozzi, RN, is the Chief Patient Care Advisor for Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to cancer 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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