University of California San Francisco Health (Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center)
1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, California 94115
University of California San Francisco Health features the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center as a mesothelioma cancer center of excellence. This center is part of the UCSF Health network, featuring a mesothelioma surgeon for pleural disease.
Pleural Mesothelioma
University of California San Francisco (Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center)
1600 Divisadero Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Dr. Jasleen Kukreja
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More About Mesothelioma Treatment at UCSF Health
University of California San Francisco Health features one of the top institutions for treating the rare cancer mesothelioma. The Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center includes a mesothelioma surgeon and a roster full of medical oncologists skilled in treating thoracic cancers, including pleural mesothelioma. The health system’s resources include a medical center, medical school and cancer center.
The Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is where patients often go for mesothelioma treatment. UCSF Health is ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as the best hospital in California and one of the best in the U.S. for cancer care.
The cancer center has a Thoracic Surgery and Oncology Clinic. It’s also a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.
Dr. David Jablons was the thoracic surgeon for most mesothelioma cases prior to retiring. He was the Chief of General Thoracic Surgery at the center. Dr. Thierry Jahan, another mesothelioma specialist, was on staff at UCSF Health’s cancer center until 2020. He retired as a cancer doctor and medical school professor in June of that year.
“I started in this disease close to 20 years ago when we really had very little to offer other than comfort measures and treatment to ease people’s suffering,” Dr. Jahan said. “Now we’re up to having state-of-the-art molecular analyses and specifically designed drugs that target exactly the disease and very little else so they don’t cause a lot of side effects.”
Mesothelioma treatment at UCSF Health’s cancer center is led by Dr. Jasleen Kukreja, a thoracic surgeon. She is the associate director of UCSF’s lung transplant research division of cardiothoracic surgery.
Experienced Mesothelioma Specialists
- Dr. Jasleen Kukreja, associate director of UCSF’s lung transplant research division of cardiothoracic surgery
- Dr. Melissa Coleman, thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Trever Bivona, thoracic medical oncologist
- Dr. Kent Adler, oncologist
- Dr. Gregory Allen, thoracic medical oncologist
- Dr. Natalie Marshall, medical oncologist
- Dr. Caroline E. McCoach, thoracic medical oncologist
- Dr. Collin Blakely, thoracic medical oncologist
- Dr. Sorbarikor Piawah, gastrointestinal oncologist
- Dr. Melisa L. Wong, thoracic medical oncologist
- Dr. Steve Braunstein, radiation oncologist
- Dr. Shayne Cardozo, thoracic surgery and oncology nurse coordinator
- Marla Magante, nurse navigator
- Joan O’Mahoney, nurse practitioner
- Daphne Stuart, social worker
Affiliations
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
- University of California San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Treatment Specialties
- Pleurectomy/decortication surgery
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery
- Systemic chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
Get Connected to UCSF Health Medical Center
University of California San Francisco Health is one of the top medical facilities along the West Coast. The center’s Chief of General Thoracic Surgery is Dr. David Jablons, a mesothelioma specialist. He leads mesothelioma treatment at the health network’s world-renowned cancer center.
Why Choose UCSF Health?
- Top surgeon leading pleural mesothelioma care
- Abundance of treatment options for patients
- Unique mesothelioma trials testing new therapies
Deciding Between Two Surgeries
UCSF Health’s website says the two surgery options for stage 1 mesothelioma are extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy/decortication. The former removes the affected lung while the latter spares both lungs and focuses on taking out the pleural lining and diaphragm.
For stages 2-4, the staff focuses on pleurectomy/decortication or systemic therapy such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Other options are radiation therapy and procedures to drain fluid, notably pleurodesis.
Hospital Ranking
- Listed in the U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 Hospitals Honor Roll
- Ranked 7th in cancer treatment
- Ranked 16th in gastrointestinal cancer surgery (peritoneal mesothelioma)
- Ranked 3rd in lung cancer surgery (pleural mesothelioma)
- Ranked 1st in California
Unique Therapies Offered in Clinical Trials
UCSF Health’s cancer center hosts multiple clinical trials at a time with spots for mesothelioma cases. One of the more unique studies is for a CAR T-cell therapy called gavo-cel. This autologous therapy trains human T cells to target the cancerous protein mesothelin, which is usually on the surface of mesothelioma cancer cells.
The trial is in early phases with room for up to 70 patients. Another clinical trial at UCSF Health uses Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) on various solid tumor cancers, including mesothelioma.
Start Your Treatment Journey at UCSF Health
With one decision, you or your loved one could be taking a significant step toward a life-changing treatment plan. This one decision is ultimately which cancer center you’ll go to for treatment.
The University of California San Francisco’s Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is a worthy choice. As one of the best medical facilities along the West Coast, it has an abundance of resources and patient-first staff to help you through your treatment journey.
Email our lead patient advocate, Nurse Karen Ritter, with any questions about UCSF Health. She can also help you schedule an appointment or look for another hospital to fit your individual needs. Her email is karen@mesotheliomaguide.com.
Sources & Author
- Thoracic Surgery and Oncology Clinic. UCSF Health. Retrieved from: https://www.ucsfhealth.org/clinics/thoracic-surgery-and-oncology. Accessed: 03/03/2022.
- Malignant Mesothelioma. UCSF Health. Retrieved from: https://top.ucsf.edu/conditions–procedures/malignant-mesothelioma.aspx. Accessed: 03/03/2022.
- Jasleen Kukreja, MD. UCSF Health. Retrieved from: https://www.ucsfhealth.org/providers/jasleen-kukreja. Accessed: 08/11/2025.
- Find a Cancer Center. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find. Accessed: 03/03/2022.
- UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved from: https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/ca/ucsf-medical-center-6930043. Accessed: 08/11/2025.
- Phase 1/2 Trial of Gavo-cel (TC-210) in Patients With Advanced Mesothelin-Expressing Cancer. Clinicaltrials.gov. Retrieved from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03907852. Accessed: 03/06/2022.
AI Summary of University of California San Francisco Health (Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center)
The University of California San Francisco Health, specifically through its Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, is recognized as one of the leading centers for mesothelioma treatment on the West Coast. Located in San Francisco, this center offers specialized care for those diagnosed with this rare cancer, with a team of highly skilled doctors and surgeons dedicated to providing the most advanced therapies. The center’s reputation is backed by its status as a national cancer institute-designated hospital and its ranking by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top hospitals in the country for cancer care. Patients benefit from a comprehensive approach that includes surgical options, systemic therapies like chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and access to innovative clinical trials.
UCSF’s thoracic cancer program offers two primary surgical options for early-stage mesothelioma: extrapleural pneumonectomy, which involves removing the affected lung, and pleurectomy/decortication, a lung-sparing procedure that targets the lining of the lung and nearby structures. For more advanced stages, treatment typically emphasizes less invasive options such as pleurectomy/decortication, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation, often combined to achieve the best possible outcome. The center also offers procedures like fluid drainage to alleviate symptoms. The team is led by expert specialists, including thoracic surgeons and medical oncologists, who develop individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific needs.
In addition to standard treatments, UCSF Health actively conducts clinical trials exploring promising new therapies, including novel immunotherapies and CAR T-cell treatments targeting the mesothelioma cells' specific proteins. These trials provide hope for improved outcomes and access to cutting-edge research. The center’s dedicated staff, including nurses, social workers, and patient navigators, offer compassionate support throughout every stage of treatment. If you are considering your options, UCSF Health’s team is committed to guiding you through the decision-making process and helping you start a treatment plan that aligns with your personal circumstances. With its top reputation and comprehensive resources, UCSF remains a top choice for individuals facing mesothelioma and their families seeking expert, patient-first care.