Dr. Martin Goodman
Director of Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program at Tufts Medical Center
Dr. Martin Goodman is one of the top doctors for mesothelioma in the world. He works at Tufts Medical Center in downtown Boston, Massachusetts.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Tufts Medical Center
860 Washington St., South Building, 4th floor, Boston, MA 02111
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More About Mesothelioma Specialist Dr. Martin Goodman
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It begins in certain linings of the body, such as the abdominal cavity or lungs. The type forming in the abdominal cavity lining is called peritoneal mesothelioma, which is Dr. Goodman’s specialty.
Dr. Goodman is a surgical oncologist at Tufts Medical Center with a focus on peritoneal surface malignancies. He’s one of many mesothelioma specialists trained at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). This is where he completed a surgical oncology fellowship and learned about using surgery and a heated chemotherapy called HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy).
“There weren’t a lot of centers in the country doing HIPEC when I started my fellowship,” he said, noting Dr. David Bartlett trained him. “He brought HIPEC to UPMC. I was probably his first fellow who came out knowing how to do HIPEC. From there, they developed the biggest program in the country. They do 100-125 cases a year.”
Dr. Goodman is also an assistant professor of surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Medical Degrees and Residencies
- Medical Degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway Township, N.J., 1994
- Residency in General Surgery at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J., 2000
- Fellowship in Surgical Oncology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2002
Certifications and Memberships
- Board-certified in General Surgery
- Membership in the American College of Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, New England Surgical Society and American Society of Clinical Oncology
- Received the Schwartz Center Compassionate Caregiver Award
Get Connected to Dr. Martin Goodman
Dr. Goodman leads one of the first HIPEC treatment programs in the United States. He is highly skilled at HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery and uses a thorough approach to remove tumors from the abdominal cavity.
Why Choose Dr. Goodman?
- Works with multidisciplinary team at Tufts Medical Center
- Learned HIPEC at prestigious UPMC fellowship
- Located in downtown Boston for easy travel access
Experienced Surgeon for HIPEC Procedure
Mesothelioma treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The first option considered for mesothelioma in the peritoneum is cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC. This approach uses a debulking surgery to remove tumors and a heated chemotherapy to wash the abdominal cavity of small cancer cells.
Dr. Goodman is one of the top surgeons for performing HIPEC with cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma. He has performed approximately 500 of these operations.
His protocol for cytoreductive surgery involves removing the omentum (a sac of fatty tissue) and any visible tumors. This includes even microscopic cells separate from the main disease. He said many centers and surgeons leave these cells for HIPEC, which washes the cavity and kills small cancer cells.
“My attitude is every little thing I can get out, I should get out,” he said.
Other organs possibly removed are the spleen, gallbladder and part of the colon. He removes the peritoneum if he sees large tumors in the area. The peritoneum is the lining of the abdominal cavity where peritoneal mesothelioma forms.
“There’s no data suggesting to strip all the peritoneum if there’s no gross disease there,” he said.
Patient Reviews for Dr. Martin Goodman
Dr. Goodman is highly regarded by his colleagues and patients. He has mostly five-star reviews on the Tufts Medical Center website.
One patient feedback from May 2021 said, “Dr. Martin Goodman, I feel, always listened to what I had to say and tried to figure out the best suitable way to fix the problem or recommended another doctor that I should see or call. I would definitely recommend Dr. Martin Goodman to someone.”
His approach to communication is effective. Dr. Goodman builds a relationship with his patients, which includes learning how much they know about mesothelioma. Then he educates about cell type, treatment options and more.
“I say doing nothing (for treatment) is obviously bad,” he said. “Being aggressive with HIPEC and debulking has the best chance of keeping you around longer.”
What to Say and Not Say to Patients
He avoids saying the surgery can cure. The likelihood is small cells will remain hidden in the abdominal cavity. Recurrence is always possible. However, removing most of the tumors adds to the life expectancy.
He also avoids giving expected survival times. This is due to the wide disparity in survival: some cases being six months and some a decade.
“I can tell you what the average is but it doesn’t really matter what the average is,” he said. “You’re either giving them false hope or doom and gloom.
“I say to them, ‘Okay, let’s take this one day at a time. We’ll do the surgery, do the follow-up, and go from there.’”
How to Contact Dr. Goodman at Tufts Medical Center
You can easily get in touch with Dr. Goodman to schedule your first appointment. The simplest way is to connect with one of our patient advocates. We can work with you on getting your medical information to Dr. Goodman and his team at Tufts Medical Center.
The first step is contacting our lead patient advocate, Karen Ritter. She’s a registered nurse and can answer any medical questions. Email her at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com. You can also sign up for our free Doctor Match program to get our recommendations for mesothelioma specialists.
Sources & Author
- Martin D. Goodman, MD. Tufts Medical Center. Retrieved from: https://www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/physiciandirectory/martin-goodman. Accessed: 10/06/2021.
AI Summary of Dr. Martin Goodman
Dr. Martin Goodman is a highly experienced surgeon with a specialized focus on treating peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. He is the Director of the Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, where he leads a team dedicated to advanced cancer care. Dr. Goodman is well-known for his expertise in performing cytoreductive surgery combined with a heated chemotherapy technique called HIPEC, which aims to remove tumors and destroy small cancer cells within the abdominal cavity. His approach emphasizes meticulous removal of all visible disease and microscopic tumor cells, giving patients the best chance for prolonged survival and improved quality of life.
Dr. Goodman received his medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed his surgical training at Cooper University Hospital. He further specialized in surgical oncology during a fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he gained extensive experience in HIPEC procedures. He is a board-certified general surgeon and holds memberships in multiple professional organizations, reflecting his commitment to staying at the forefront of cancer treatment. As an educator, he also serves as an assistant professor of surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine, sharing his knowledge and contributing to the training of future surgeons.
Patients and colleagues alike respect Dr. Goodman for his compassionate communication and thorough approach. He takes the time to educate patients about their condition, treatment options, and what to expect from surgery. While he does not promise a cure, he emphasizes that aggressive treatment, including HIPEC, offers the best chance for longer survival. He carefully discusses the potential benefits and limitations of surgery, acknowledging that recurrence is possible but prioritizing the patient’s well-being and understanding. Located downtown Boston, Dr. Goodman makes it convenient for patients to access state-of-the-art care at Tufts Medical Center. Those seeking more information or wishing to inquire about care can contact Dr. Goodman through the hospital’s patient advocacy team, facilitated by experienced professionals dedicated to guiding patients through their treatment journey with sensitivity and expertise. With his extensive training, proven surgical skill, and patient-centered approach, Dr. Goodman is a leading figure in the treatment of mesothelioma and related peritoneal cancers.