Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins

Mesothelioma Treatment at Sidney Kimmel

Recognizing that a proper diagnosis is essential to the best treatment possible, Sidney Kimmel has a second opinions program for patients with all types of lung malignancies, including mesothelioma. Second opinions can reveal new options in treatment for patients based on their stage or mesothelioma cell type.

The mesothelioma program at Sidney Kimmel features a full multidisciplinary treatment team. Having a multidisciplinary team is important to getting the best treatment available, especially since patients generally fare better when they are treated with several modes of therapy.

Sidney Kimmel has a full range of mesothelioma doctors specializing in radiation, oncology and surgery.

Meet the Specialists

Dr. Julie Brahmer is the medical oncologist of the mesothelioma program at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. She is an experienced presenter who has shared her expertise about pain management and clinical trials for mesothelioma patients at various symposiums.

She is also the co-author of a study on the importance of mesothelioma patients managing fluid buildup in the lungs, a condition which can cause shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Dr. Brahmer believes in the importance of addressing patient needs on an emotional, physical and spiritual level.

“Pain affects the mind, the body and the spirit and so it’s important for the medical team to assess the person with the pain, not just the pain itself.”
—Dr. Brahmer

Dr. Stephen Yang is the Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Sidney Kimmel. Mesothelioma patients who are candidates for surgery are treated by Dr. Yang. He treats his patients with a multimodal approach, combining surgery with treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. He also studies mesothelioma at the molecular level, furthering the understanding of the behavior of the disease to develop more effective treatment methods.

Clinical Trials at Sidney Kimmel

The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center has been involved in many clinical trials for mesothelioma. The cancer center has participated in clinical trials that have contributed to how mesothelioma is treated. Some trials that took place at Sidney Kimmel are:

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  Second-Line Therapy for Mesothelioma

  NGR-hTNF is a new second-line treatment with potential for preventing metastasis and tumor growth in mesothelioma patients. It is being tested on patients who have already had their first line of treatment with chemotherapy.

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  Attacking Mesothelioma Stem Cells

  Sidney Kimmel is participating in the Phase 2 study of defactinib, a drug that attacks mesothelioma stem cells and may prevent tumor recurrence, if the trial is successful.

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  Determining Genetic Risk

  With an eye on the future, Sidney Kimmel is contributing to research designed to assess if some patients are genetically predisposed to developing mesothelioma. This research could result in earlier diagnoses in the future.

Is Sidney Kimmel Right For You?

With an experienced mesothelioma program treating many patients every year, it’s no wonder patients seek out this cancer center. Mesothelioma patients often choose Sidney Kimmel for reasons including:

• Home to top mesothelioma specialists
• Wide variety of treatment options
• Access to new clinical trials

If you think the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center would fit your treatment needs, get in touch with their mesothelioma specialists today.