Dr. Taylor Ripley

More Information About Mesothelioma Specialist Dr. Taylor Ripley

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer forming in the lining of the lungs or abdominal cavity. The main type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the lungs. This is Dr. Ripley’s specialty.

Dr. Ripley’s interest in mesothelioma treatment dates back more than a decade. He became interested in treating this cancer during a thoracic oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute.

Dr. Ripley is Co-Director of the Thoracic Oncology Working Group at the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. His interest in thoracic oncology led him to malignant mesothelioma as a specialty.

Dr. Ripley is an important part of the Baylor College of Medicine and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center surgery team. He’s also:

• Associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine
• Co-editor of a publication titled “Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery”
• Part of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Department of Surgery

Medical Degrees and Residencies

• Medical Degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee
• Residency in General Surgery at the University of Colorado Denver
• Fellowship in Thoracic Oncology at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland
• Fellowship in Thoracic Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York

Certifications and Memberships

• Certified by the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Thoracic Surgery
• Recipient of the 2016 National Cancer Institute Director’s Innovation Award and 2020 National Cancer Institute Director’s Innovation Award
• Membership in the American Association of Thoracic Surgery, Association of Academic Surgeons, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and AATS Foundation
• Board of Directors member for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
• Editorial board member for the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Get Connected to Dr. Taylor Ripley

Dr. Ripley performs aggressive and diagnostic surgery for malignant mesothelioma. He’s the Director of the Mesothelioma Treatment Center at one of the top hospitals in the world. Dr. Ripley trained extensively in thoracic oncology at various leading cancer centers before joining Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

Why Choose Dr. Ripley?

• Director of a prestigious cancer center’s mesothelioma program
• Trained at the National Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Professor in thoracic oncology at Baylor College of Medicine

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Medical Career Started at Top Cancer Centers

There are two top surgery options for pleural mesothelioma: pleurectomy/decortication surgery and extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery. Dr. Ripley can perform either one for patients with a resectable disease, meaning it is early enough to be removed with surgery.

These two surgeries are the best options for removing most or all tumors. The survival lengths average 2-3 years for both.

Pleurectomy/decortication preserves the lungs while extrapleural pneumonectomy removes the patient’s affected lung. Finding a surgeon who can perform both types of surgery is valuable to patients. This provides more options and improves their chances of receiving the most appropriate treatment.

Dr. Ripley also specializes in robotic surgery for minimally invasive operations. This is primarily for lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, not malignant mesothelioma.

He has lectured on his research and work in thoracic oncology. He was trained in mesothelioma treatment at the National Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He had fellowships in thoracic oncology at both institutions.

Connect With Dr. Taylor Ripley

Our patient advocate, Karen Ritter, at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com can help you find a mesothelioma doctor. Another option is sending us your diagnosis information via our free free Doctor Match program. This allows you to learn about other surgeons.

Sources & Author

1. Robert Taylor Ripley, M.D. Baylor College of Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.bcm.edu/people-search/robert-ripley-29324. Accessed: 10/19/2021.
2. Mesothelioma. Baylor College of Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/oncology/cancer-types/lung-cancer/mesothelioma. Accessed: 10/19/2021.

About the Writer, Karen Ritter, RN BSN

Karen Ritter, a registered nurse, is the lead patient advocate for Mesothelioma Guide. She has a deep passion for patient care, which includes helping patients and their families search for treatment options at the top mesothelioma cancer centers. She finds the balance between encouraging patients to receive the best treatment possible while enjoying their time with loved ones and friends. Karen is a valuable asset for patients due to her knowledge of mesothelioma, compassion for the victims of this disease and dedication to guiding patients through their treatment journey.