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Oakland, CA 94611 - Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Velotta
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Kaiser Permanente in Northern California
Kaiser Permanente in Northern California offers coordinated care for mesothelioma across a broad network of hospitals, cancer centers, and specialty clinics. Its flagship hospital, Oakland Medical Center, is the central location where patients are evaluated and treated. Get our help connecting with Kaiser Permanente for mesothelioma treatment today.
About Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Kaiser Permanente Northern California can diagnose and treat mesothelioma through coordinated specialty care. This includes both pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining) and peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the abdominal lining).
Based on comparisons with surrounding communities, cancer patients treated within the Kaiser Permanente network are about 20% less likely to lose years of life to the disease.
Kaiser Permanente’s Oakland Medical Center is the main location where patients can receive mesothelioma treatments like thoracic surgery. Additional support comes from specialized teams at Richmond Medical Center and other Kaiser facilities in California, including locations in Santa Clara, Vallejo, Sacramento, and Modesto.
Several Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are rated “high performing” by U.S. News & World Report. The system also participates in National Cancer Institute–supported research, giving mesothelioma patients access to clinical trials and newer treatment options that aren’t widely available.
Mesothelioma Doctors at Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Kaiser Permanente brings together specialists who have experience diagnosing and treating both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. These physicians are involved in evaluating patients, confirming the correct diagnosis, and determining which treatments may be most effective.
Mesothelioma doctors at Kaiser Permanente California include:
- Dr. Simon Ashiku: Thoracic surgeon, Oakland location
- Dr. Maihgan Kavanagh: Surgical oncologist, Santa Clara location
- Dr. Jennifer Suga: Medical oncologist, Vallejo location
- Dr. Jeffrey Velotta: Thoracic surgeon, Oakland location
Together, these specialists review each case of mesothelioma and recommend the treatments they believe will work best to help the patient live longer.
Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with Kaiser Permanente mesothelioma specialists so you or a loved one can start treatment.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options at Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Kaiser Permanente Northern California provides a full range of evidence-based treatments for mesothelioma, supported by specialists experienced in managing this rare cancer.
Mesothelioma Surgery
Surgery may be an option for mesothelioma patients if the cancer is found early. Your care team will review your overall health, the type of mesothelioma you have, and your cancer stage to determine whether surgery is the right approach.
Kaiser surgeons can perform these mesothelioma surgeries:
- Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D): Removes the lining of the lung (pleura) and visible tumors while keeping the lungs intact
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): Less commonly used; removes the lung nearest to the cancer, the pleura, part of the diaphragm, and the lining around the heart
- Cytoreduction with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC): Removes tumors from the abdominal lining and then delivers warmed chemotherapy directly to the area
Surgical plans are always personalized. Your care team will explain each option, discuss the benefits and risks, and help you choose the approach that best fits your diagnosis and treatment goals.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for mesothelioma. It may be used on its own or combined with surgery, immunotherapy, or radiation. Kaiser’s medical oncologists focus on treating mesothelioma with the most current chemotherapy options.
Chemotherapy options at Kaiser California include:
- Pemetrexed (Alimta®) + cisplatin (or carboplatin): This is the most common first treatment for mesothelioma and helps slow the growth of cancer cells.
- Bevacizumab (Avastin®): This is a targeted therapy that can sometimes be added to the primary chemotherapy treatment to help block the tumor’s blood supply.
- Second-line or maintenance medicines: These are used if the first chemotherapy regimen stops working or if ongoing therapy is needed to help keep the cancer under control.
Your Kaiser care team will use the latest research and your personal health information to guide their treatment recommendations.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a newer treatment that helps the immune system recognize and attack mesothelioma cells. These medicines are often used when the disease is advanced or when surgery isn’t possible.
One common type is checkpoint inhibitors, which help the immune system find and kill cancer cells. Some patients receive immunotherapy alone, while others may receive it together with chemotherapy.
Immunotherapy doesn’t work the same for everyone, so your doctors will look at your health, cancer stage, and past treatment history to decide if it’s a good option for you.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses targeted beams of energy to kill mesothelioma cells. For some patients, radiation may be used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells that cannot be seen on imaging scans.
Radiation can also be used for palliative care. This means it can help ease common mesothelioma symptoms such as pain, pressure, or breathing problems. Advanced techniques like intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allow doctors to focus radiation on the tumor while reducing exposure to healthy tissue.
Your radiation oncologist will carefully plan each step to make sure treatment is as effective and safe as possible.
Palliative Care
The main goal of palliative care for mesothelioma is to help patients feel better, manage symptoms, and stay as active and comfortable as possible. Palliative care isn’t the same as hospice, and patients don’t have to be in the end stages of the cancer to receive it.
Kaiser centers throughout Northern California offer:
- Help with breathing problems, cough, nausea, appetite changes, and fatigue
- Home-based services for patients who need care in their own environment
- Procedures such as thoracentesis or paracentesis to drain fluid buildup
- Referrals to additional specialists or outside centers when needed
- Support for pain management, including medications
Kaiser’s palliative care services allow patients to access symptom support and specialized care at multiple locations so they can get help where it’s most convenient.
Download our Free Doctor Questions Checklist to help guide treatment conversations at your next appointment.
Mesothelioma Patient Care at Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Kaiser Permanente’s integrated health care system is designed to support mesothelioma patients and their families through every stage of their cancer journey.
Patients can access supportive care services such as:
- Assistance with scheduling and managing upcoming appointments
- Consultations with social workers for financial questions and advance planning
- Diet and nutrition support to help maintain energy during treatment
- Help arranging transportation and pharmacy services
- Mental health counseling and emotional support
These supportive services work alongside medical treatment, helping mesothelioma patients receive practical care across Kaiser Permanente locations throughout Northern California.
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials & Research at Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Kaiser Permanente studies a wide range of treatments to understand which options may work best for patients with mesothelioma and other complex cancers.
Its current mesothelioma research focuses on:
- Developing better ways to manage treatment side effects
- Expanding the use of existing immunotherapy medications
- Exploring newer ways to screen for cancer and diagnose patients
- Improving surgical techniques to support faster recovery
- Testing targeted therapies that destroy cancer while sparing healthy cells
- Trying new combinations of chemotherapy drugs
These research efforts help Kaiser bring new treatment options into everyday care as soon as they’re proven to be safe and effective.
Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with Kaiser Permanente specialists and find out whether you may be eligible to join a mesothelioma clinical trial.
Get Connected With Kaiser Permanente Northern California
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma and lives in or around Northern California, Kaiser Permanente provides coordinated care through its network of cancer specialists and treatment centers.
Patients at Kaiser’s Oakland hospital and other locations have access to:
- Specialists who treat mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers
- Team-based planning from oncology, surgery, and radiation experts
- Services that address symptoms, side effects, and daily challenges
Mesothelioma Hope can help you connect with mesothelioma specialists at Kaiser Permanente and other treatment centers. 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 Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Kaiser Permanente Northern California 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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