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UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC) at UCI Health is one of the most advanced cancer programs in Southern California. Its specialists diagnose and treat mesothelioma using a personalized combination of the latest therapies. Get our help connecting with the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center for mesothelioma care today.
About UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is one of only 56 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country. It serves patients across Orange County and the greater Los Angeles region.
CFCCC combines world-class research with patient-centered care. Specialists at this cancer center treat mesothelioma using advanced technology, clinical trials, and a holistic approach that supports every aspect of a patient’s health.
CFCCC has three key locations:
- UCI Medical Center in Orange, the flagship cancer hospital
- Fountain Valley clinic, offering outpatient treatments
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care Building in Irvine, a new facility for infusion services and multidisciplinary care
Mesothelioma patients at UCI Cancer Center receive coordinated support from thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, and supportive care specialists.
Key Facts About the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Orange County’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center
- Leading program for asbestos diseases such as pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer
- Provides access to clinical trials through the University of California research network
- Offers advanced treatments at the new Irvine ambulatory care building
UC Irvine Cancer Center provides specialized mesothelioma care supported by ongoing research and clinical expertise.
Mesothelioma Doctors at UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Mesothelioma is rare, so it requires a team that understands the disease inside and out. UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center has specialists who focus on asbestos-related cancers and collaborate closely to develop each patient’s treatment plan.
Key mesothelioma specialists include:
- Dr. Lillian C. Chow: Pulmonologist
- Dr. Oliver S. Eng: Surgical oncologist
- Dr. Kelly M. Fairbairn: Thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Hari B. Keshava: Thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Ali Mahtabifard: Thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Misako Nagasaka: Medical oncologist
- Dr. Michael P. O’Leary: Surgical oncologist
Some patients may also be seen by experts at nearby California cancer centers such as UCLA and UCSF.
Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with mesothelioma specialists at UCI Chao Cancer Center and other top treatment hospitals.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options at Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
CFCCC specialists design treatment plans that match the type of mesothelioma, cancer stage, and each patient’s goals and comfort level. Treatment may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and palliative care.
Mesothelioma Surgery
Surgery can be an important option for mesothelioma patients, depending on their overall health and how far the cancer has spread. At UCI, thoracic and surgical oncology specialists perform advanced operations that focus on removing as much cancer as possible.
Common surgeries include:
- Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D): Removes the diseased lining of the lung and visible tumors while keeping the lung intact
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): Removes the affected lung and nearby tissues when appropriate
- Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC: Treats peritoneal mesothelioma by removing abdominal tumors and bathing the abdomen with heated chemotherapy
A team of experts reviews every case to decide on the best treatment plan, including whether chemotherapy should be given before or after surgery.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for mesothelioma. It uses drugs that travel through the bloodstream to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. At CFCCC, doctors customize each patient’s mesothelioma chemotherapy regimen to effectively fight cancer while allowing them to maintain a good quality of life.
Common chemotherapy drugs used for mesothelioma include:
- Pemetrexed (Alimta®)
- Cisplatin
- Carboplatin
Oncologists at the UCI Cancer Center in Irvine monitor patient health throughout treatment and may adjust chemotherapy doses when needed to manage side effects. CFCCC also offers clinical trials that combine chemotherapy with newer treatments like targeted therapies and mesothelioma vaccines.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a newer and increasingly important treatment option for people with mesothelioma. Doctors may recommend immunotherapy drugs to help the body recognize and attack cancer cells, something it doesn’t naturally do well on its own.
Immunotherapy at CFCCC may include:
- Nivolumab (Opdivo®) + ipilimumab (Yervoy®)
- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®)
- Other checkpoint inhibitors or new therapies available through clinical trials
UCI researchers continue to explore new immunotherapy combinations and novel therapies, giving patients more personalized treatment options. Patients are closely monitored while being treated with immunotherapy to catch and manage any side effects early on.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is often used in mesothelioma care to shrink tumors and lower the risk of the cancer coming back. The radiation oncology team at Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center uses highly precise technology to target tumors while protecting as much healthy tissue as possible.
Common radiation options include:
- Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT): Uses real-time imaging to ensure radiation is delivered exactly where it’s needed, even as the body moves
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): Allows doctors to shape the radiation beam to the tumor, delivering high doses while limiting exposure to nearby organs
Radiation may be given after surgery to destroy any remaining microscopic cancer cells, or it can be used on its own to ease symptoms like chest pain, pressure, or breathing issues. In some cases, it’s also part of a combined treatment plan with chemotherapy or immunotherapy to better control the disease and keep it from spreading.
Palliative Care
Alongside active cancer treatment, CFCCC at UCI focuses on comfort and quality of life from the very beginning. Palliative care is integrated into each patient’s mesothelioma care plan to ease symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Examples of palliative care offered at CFCCC include:
- Fluid drainage procedures: For patients with pleural effusions (fluid around the lungs) or ascites (fluid in the abdomen), procedures such as thoracentesis can relieve pressure and reduce discomfort
- Nutritional support and rehabilitation: Dietitians recommend high-protein meals and supplements, while physical therapy helps maintain strength, mobility, and energy
- Pain medications: Oncologists can prescribe specific medicines or nerve blocks for pain management.
- Respiratory support: Inhalers, supplemental oxygen, and pulmonary rehabilitation help patients maintain breathing, comfort, and lung function
- Symptom control for nausea and fatigue: Supportive medications are used to help patients feel more comfortable during treatment
Mesothelioma patients can get palliative care at any point during their treatment, not just in the advanced stages, and it is different from hospice care. Seeking palliative care early on allows symptoms to be addressed promptly and helps patients stay as comfortable as possible throughout their care.
Download our Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist to prepare for your next mesothelioma appointment.
Mesothelioma Patient Care at UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Mesothelioma care at CFCCC includes more than medical treatment. Patients and their families can access various services that make daily life easier and provide much-needed support during a difficult time.
CFCCC supportive care services include:
- Alternative treatments: Complementary options like acupuncture, massage, or meditation when appropriate
- Diet and nutrition counseling: Dietary advice and therapy to maintain strength and energy
- Emotional and caregiver support: Counseling and resources for patients and family members
- Patient navigation and education: Help understanding treatment options, appointments, and clinical trials
These services give mesothelioma patients and their caregivers practical support and clear guidance, helping them balance treatment with their everyday needs.
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials and Research at Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
If you have mesothelioma and want to explore newer treatment options, CFCCC’s research programs may give you access to therapies that aren’t available to the public yet. One example is the VET3-TGI clinical trial, which is testing a new type of virus-based immunotherapy to see if it can safely attack cancer cells in people with advanced mesothelioma.
Other emerging treatments being studied include:
- CAR T-cell therapy
- Gene therapy
- New immunotherapy combinations
- Targeted therapy
- Vaccines
Many clinical trials are offered through CFCCC’s Sue and Ralph Stern Center for Cancer Clinical Trials and Research, which collaborates with national partners such as USC Norris and City of Hope.
Use our Free Doctor Match to speak with a specialist and find out if you qualify for a mesothelioma clinical trial.
Get Connected With the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma and lives in Southern California, UCI Health’s Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center offers access to specialists who diagnose, treat, and manage this disease on a regular basis.
CFCCC was recently recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as “one of the nation’s top cancer programs” for its leadership in oncology, research, and patient-centered care.
Its mesothelioma doctors are ready to help, whether you need a clear diagnosis, a second opinion, or a better understanding of your treatment options. They take the time to walk patients and families through what to expect, answer questions directly, and make sure each person feels supported and informed at every step.
Mesothelioma Hope can connect you with experts at CFCCC or other top cancer centers across the country. Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match to get started.
Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive 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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