-
Address
1441 Eastlake Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033 - Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Anthony W. Kim
Talk to our team about starting treatment at this cancer center
Call Today at: (866) 608-8933
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
The University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles provides advanced mesothelioma care supported by an experienced team of specialists and access to the latest clinical trials. Patients receive care to improve survival and support quality of life. Connect with USC Norris specialists today to learn about your options for treatment.
About USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Norris Cancer Center is part of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC). It operates the USC Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital and associated outpatient cancer facilities.
The National Cancer Institute recognizes USC Norris as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, which reflects its strength in research, patient care, and community programs. Specialists throughout the center study the biology of mesothelioma, test new therapies, and explore ways to improve survival and quality of life.
Key Facts on USC Norris Cancer Center
- Actively involved in early-phase and advanced clinical trials for mesothelioma
- Home to USC’s Mesothelioma Laboratory, which develops new therapies
- Employs more than 250 cancer-focused physicians and scientists
- Includes the Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital, a 60-bed cancer-focused facility
USC Norris welcomes mesothelioma patients from across California and states throughout the West. Many families choose it because of its strong surgical program, commitment to cancer research, and its wide range of supportive care services.
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center Mesothelioma Doctors
USC Norris Cancer Center is home to some of the nation’s most respected specialists in mesothelioma and thoracic oncology. Patients benefit from a collaborative, research-driven environment where surgeons, oncologists, and supportive care experts work together to create personalized treatment plans.
Leading mesothelioma doctors at USC Norris include:
- Dr. Scott M. Atay: Thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Robert Chun-Hao Hsu: Medical oncologist
- Dr. Anthony W. Kim: Thoracic surgeon
Your care team may also include specialists in nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, and pain management. This multidisciplinary approach helps reduce treatment side effects, improve symptom control, and support your overall quality of life throughout treatment and recovery.
Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with mesothelioma specialists at USC Norris and other top cancer centers.
Mesothelioma Treatment Options at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
USC Norris creates personalized mesothelioma treatment plans for each patient. Yours may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, palliative care, or a combination of these. The ultimate goal is to help control the cancer, manage your symptoms, and allow you to maintain the best possible quality of life.
Mesothelioma Surgery
Surgery can help some people with mesothelioma by removing as much cancer as possible and slowing the disease. Surgeons at USC Norris are experienced in both traditional and minimally invasive procedures. They also work closely with other cancer specialists to make sure mesothelioma surgery is safe and fits well into your overall treatment plan.
Possible types of surgery include:
- Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D): Removes tumors from the lining of the affected lung and chest wall
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): Removes one lung and the tissues around it when a larger operation is needed to remove the cancer
- Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC: Removes tumors from the abdominal lining and then delivers heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen to kill any remaining cancer cells
Before any surgery, your care team will carefully review your imaging scans, blood tests, heart function, and overall health. This helps ensure the procedure is safe for you and gives you the best chance of a smooth recovery.
Chemotherapy
At USC Norris, chemotherapy is a crucial part of mesothelioma care. Each treatment is tailored to the individual, with ongoing monitoring to ensure it’s safe and effective.
Treatment options with chemo include:
- Standard first-line therapy with pemetrexed (Alimta®) plus cisplatin or carboplatin
- Chemotherapy before or after mesothelioma surgery to kill cancer cells
- Supportive therapies to manage side effects
- Alternative drugs like gemcitabine or vinorelbine, based on previous treatment and tolerance
Chemotherapy is managed by a team of medical oncologists and hematology specialists who monitor the patient’s blood health, kidney function, and overall response.
Immunotherapy
USC Norris offers some of the most advanced immunotherapy options available for mesothelioma. Immunotherapy helps your body’s immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, and it can be a powerful option for patients who are not candidates for surgery or whose cancer has come back.
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors may be used when mesothelioma is advanced or not responding well to other treatments.
- Clinical trials test new combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy to see if they work better together.
- Some patients may be eligible for newer treatments, such as cancer vaccines or other medicines that help the immune system fight mesothelioma.
- Doctors may choose certain immunotherapy options based on specific traits of your tumor so you can get the most effective treatment.
USC Norris Cancer Center is actively involved in phase I trials that test new immunotherapy drugs in small groups of patients to evaluate whether they’re safe and improve overall survival.
Radiation Therapy
Advances in technology have made radiation safer and more effective than ever, particularly for pleural mesothelioma.
Radiation therapy complements other modalities in mesothelioma treatment:
- Adjuvant radiation to prevent local recurrence after surgery
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to target tumors while sparing nearby organs
- Palliative radiation to reduce pain, bleeding, and other symptoms
- Stereotactic and hypofractionated techniques for localized disease
Radiation oncology coordinates timing with other treatments to avoid complications. The team also uses precise imaging and planning systems to ensure every dose targets only diseased tissue.
USC Norris integrates these state-of-the-art tools with other forms of therapy for a comprehensive and patient-focused healthcare strategy.
Palliative Care
Palliative care helps mesothelioma patients manage symptoms and maintain quality of life at any stage of the disease. At USC Norris Cancer Hospital, palliative care services focus on improving breathing, mobility, sleep, and pain control throughout treatment.
Palliative care for mesothelioma at USC Norris includes:
- Caregiver guidance to help families handle day-to-day needs
- Emotional support for patients managing anxiety or stress
- Fluid drainage procedures like thoracentesis to reduce pain and pressure
- Guidance on diet and nutrition to help patients stay strong during treatment
- Pain management using medications and targeted procedures
- Physical therapy and breathing exercises
Starting palliative care early can help mesothelioma patients feel better during treatment and recover more smoothly from surgery, chemotherapy, or other therapies.
Download our Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist to get the answers you need at your next mesothelioma appointment.
Mesothelioma Patient Care at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
USC Norris provides comprehensive support for mesothelioma patients and their families, making it easier to navigate treatment, understand medical information, and stay connected to reliable resources throughout treatment.
Some of its supportive care services include:
- Lazarex Program: Helps eligible patients explore clinical trials and receive financial assistance for related travel
- NeighborGood Program: Connects families with community cancer resources and provides education on prevention, early detection, and clinical trials
- Ronnie Lippin Cancer Support and Navigation Program: Navigators help patients and families manage appointments, understand treatment information, and access community resources such as mental health services or housing assistance
- Sailors Project: Offers culturally appropriate education and guidance for Spanish- and Korean-speaking patients and caregivers
These programs give mesothelioma patients and their caregivers dependable guidance and practical assistance, helping them stay informed and supported throughout their care.
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials & Research at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
USC Norris is actively working to advance mesothelioma treatment through clinical trials that explore new medicines, treatment combinations, and better ways to detect the disease.
Current clinical trials include:
- Small-Molecule Drug for Late-Stage Cancer: This study is testing NX-1607, a small-molecule drug designed to boost the immune system’s ability to fight advanced mesothelioma.
- SW-682 for Advanced Mesothelioma: This early-phase trial is studying a new oral medicine in patients with late-stage mesothelioma, including those who’ve already tried standard treatments.
- Virotherapy With and Without Immunotherapy: Doctors are testing VET3-TGI, a modified virus designed to kill cancer cells, to see whether it can safely help treat mesothelioma when used alone or combined with immunotherapy.
These trials offer patients access to promising new treatments while helping researchers learn what may improve mesothelioma care going forward.
Use our Free Doctor Match to find a mesothelioma specialist who can walk you through clinical trial options.
Get Connected With USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma and lives in California or the western United States, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center provides specialized care and access to the latest therapies.
Mesothelioma Hope can help you:
- Connect with USC Norris and other top mesothelioma centers
- Understand what to expect during and after treatment
- Get reliable answers about your diagnosis, symptoms, and next steps
- Access support resources for you and your family members
Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match to speak with a specialist at USC Norris and learn which treatment options may be right for you.
Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact USC Norris 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.
Our Promise to You
Patient Resources
Find a Doctor
Connect with top mesothelioma specialists near you.
Free Doctor Questions Download
See the 14 questions you should ask your mesothelioma doctor.
How We Can Help
