Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center

About the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center

Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) provides specialized care for people with mesothelioma. As part of Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the center brings together expert doctors, advanced testing, and active research to support patients facing these rare cancers.

Founded over 40 years ago, the center now treats thousands of cancer patients each year across the Bronx and the greater New York area. Montefiore Einstein is recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for its leadership in cancer care and research. This designation gives patients access to clinical trials, new immunotherapies, and treatment approaches offered at only a small number of hospitals nationwide.

Key Facts on Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center

• The fourth-oldest NCI-designated cancer center in the U.S.
• Ranked in the top 1% of U.S. cancer hospitals (U.S. News & World Report)
• Listed among the Top 50 cancer hospitals in the country (Becker’s Hospital Review)
• Conducts more than 300 active clinical trials each year

Montefiore Einstein’s strength lies in its deep experience treating complex cancers, access to research-driven therapies, and the support of Montefiore’s Albert Einstein School of Medicine. Patients receive clear medical guidance, evidence-based treatment plans, and direct access to specialists who understand the unique challenges of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Doctors at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center

The center’s care team for mesothelioma includes some of the region’s most respected physicians in thoracic oncology and medical oncology. Mesothelioma specialists work together in both inpatient and outpatient settings to deliver seamless care.

Notable MECCC mesothelioma experts include:

• Dr. Haiying Cheng: Medical oncologist
• Dr. Rasim A. Gucalp: Medical oncologist
• Dr. Balazs Halmos: Medical oncologist
• Dr. Hongdau P. Liu: Surgical oncologist
• Dr. Stuart H. Packer: Medical oncologist
• Dr. Brendon M. Stiles: Thoracic surgeon

Patients may also work with radiation oncologists, nurse navigators, nutrition specialists, and palliative care clinicians who manage symptoms and support recovery during and after treatment.

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Mesothelioma Treatment Options at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center

At Montefiore Einstein, doctors from multiple specialties meet regularly to review each patient’s mesothelioma diagnosis case and determine the most appropriate next steps based on their cancer type, stage, and overall health. This process helps ensure each patient receives the mesothelioma treatments most likely to benefit them.

Mesothelioma Surgery

Surgery is an important treatment option for many people with mesothelioma. Although not everyone will be a candidate for surgery, it can provide many benefits when it is safe to perform. Removing as much of the tumor as possible can help ease symptoms, improve quality of life, and in some cases, extend survival.

Montefiore Einstein surgeons can perform these mesothelioma surgeries:

• Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D): In this procedure, doctors remove the damaged lining around the lung but do not remove the lung itself.
• Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): For certain cases of more advanced pleural mesothelioma, surgeons may remove the affected lung along with nearby tissues. This is a more extensive surgery and is recommended only when it can offer a meaningful benefit.
• Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC: For peritoneal mesothelioma, surgeons may remove visible tumors from the abdomen and then bathe the area with heated chemotherapy (HIPEC). This helps kill any remaining cancer cells and reduces the chance of the disease returning.

The surgical teams at Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center carefully review each case and recommend the safest and most effective approach for the individual patient.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is still an important part of mesothelioma care. Medical oncologists at Montefiore Einstein often use proven chemotherapies like pemetrexed and cisplatin to slow tumor growth and help patients live longer.

The care team regularly studies new drug combinations and treatment schedules through its cancer research program. Patients may qualify for newer therapies that aim to improve comfort and increase survival.

Some patients receive regional chemotherapy, which delivers medicine directly into the part of the body affected by mesothelioma. Others receive systemic chemotherapy through an IV before or after surgery as part of a combined treatment plan.

Montefiore Einstein offers outpatient infusion centers where nurses provide close support and help manage common side effects such as nausea and fatigue.

Immunotherapy

Montefiore Einstein also leads in immunotherapy and targeted therapies for mesothelioma. Specialists in the Interdisciplinary Immunotherapy Institute study how the immune system, including T cells, can be strengthened to fight cancer more effectively.

Available and emerging treatment options include:

• Checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) and nivolumab (Opdivo®)
• Targeted therapies that block specific changes in cancer cells
• Adoptive T-cell therapies and experimental stem cell-based treatments

The center also studies how immunotherapy works when paired with radiation or surgery. Many of these efforts receive support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the NCI. Patients who meet eligibility requirements may be invited to join clinical trials and explore new treatment options.

Radiation Therapy

Montefiore Einstein’s Department of Radiation Oncology offers treatments that target tumors with high precision. Radiation therapy can ease pain, destroy cancer cells left after surgery, or shrink tumors before a procedure.

Radiation options for mesothelioma at MECCC include:

• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for tumors with complex shapes
• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for small, clearly defined tumors
• Proton therapy, which reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissue

Radiation oncologists work closely with medical physicists to design safe and effective treatment plans that protect nearby organs. These plans are reviewed in team meetings that include thoracic surgeons and medical oncologists to ensure patients receive the most coordinated care possible.

Palliative Care

Montefiore Einstein’s palliative care specialists ensure that patients are comfortable during each stage of treatment. The palliative care team focuses on easing symptoms, reducing stress, and helping patients maintain the best possible quality of life.

Examples of palliative care services include:

• Fluid-drainage procedures, such as thoracentesis (to remove fluid around the lungs) and paracentesis (to remove fluid from the abdomen)
• Mind-body and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, meditation, and relaxation techniques
• Pain management
• Respiratory therapy to help with breathing

The team also supports patients and families with their practical and emotional needs and works closely with the oncology (cancer care) team to make sure each person gets the care they need throughout treatment.

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Mesothelioma Patient Care at Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center

The Montefiore Einstein team understands that a mesothelioma diagnosis affects more than just the body — it can touch every part of your life. Patients at MECCC have access to a broad range of supportive care services that address their physical, emotional, practical, and lifestyle needs.

Some of these supportive care services include: 

• Mind-body and wellness programs: Access to meditation, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, and yoga to support mental health
• Nutrition, rehabilitation, and exercise programs: Guidance on diet and nutrition, strength training, and mobility to help improve everyday life
• Practical support services: Language assistance for non-English speakers, help with transportation to appointments, and financial assistance to help patients cover treatment
• Psychological counseling and therapy: Support for both patients and caregivers to help with anxiety, depression, and stress
• Survivorship and follow-up care: Post-treatment programs to monitor health, manage lingering side effects, and support long-term quality of life

Together, these services ensure that each mesothelioma patient receives care that supports the whole person, not just the disease.

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials & Research at Montefiore Einstein

As an academic medical center, Montefiore Einstein actively leads and participates in clinical trials investigating advanced cancer therapeutics. Its research programs focus on translating discoveries in molecular biology and immunology into real-world benefits for cancer patients.

One early-stage clinical trial is testing tulmimetostat, a new type of small-molecule drug. The study’s goal is to find a safe dose of the medication, understand possible side effects, and see whether it can help control advanced mesothelioma.

Montefiore Einstein’s role as a national leader in clinical research gives mesothelioma patients opportunities to receive experimental therapies that are only available at a few top treatment centers in the country.

Use our Free Doctor Match to speak with a specialist and find out whether you’re a candidate for a mesothelioma clinical trial.

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Get Connected With Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center

If you or a loved one has mesothelioma and lives in New York or the surrounding region, Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center offers access to specialists who treat this complex disease.

The team provides personalized care plans that may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and clinical trials. Supportive care services help patients and families manage symptoms, reduce stress, and maintain quality of life.

Mesothelioma Hope can help you connect with Montefiore Einstein and other top cancer centers nationwide. Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match now to get started.