Loyola University Health System (Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center)
2160 S. 1st Ave., Maywood, Illinois 60153
Loyola University Health System includes the Loyola University Medical Center and the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, which is one of the best mesothelioma cancer centers. These facilities are in Maywood, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Loyola University Health System (Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center)
2160 S. 1st Ave.
Maywood, IL 60153
Dr. Chirantan Mangukia
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More About Mesothelioma Treatment at the Loyola University Health System
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs, abdominal cavity or heart. It requires specialized treatment from experienced doctors and nurse staff.
Loyola University Health System’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center has a multidisciplinary program for mesothelioma treatment. The focus is pleural mesothelioma, which forms near the lungs. The tumors develop in the narrow membrane between the lungs and chest wall.
Dr. Wickii Vigneswaran was the mesothelioma specialist on staff at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center until he left the cancer center in January 2024. His official title was Director of Thoracic Surgery.
“We are more polished in the way we take care of patients,” he said before leaving, noting Loyola University Health System’s cancer center has a full team of medical professionals working on each case.
Experienced Mesothelioma Specialists
- Dr. Chirantan Mangukia, cardiothoracic surgeon
- Dr. Zaid Abdelsattar, thoracic surgeon
Affiliations
- Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
- Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
Treatment Specialties
- Pleurectomy with decortication surgery
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy
- Chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy
Get Connected to Loyola University Health System
Loyola University Health System offers a multidisciplinary approach to mesothelioma treatment. This involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and possibly radiation therapy. There are clinical trials as well for patients who don’t respond to systemic therapy.
Why Choose Loyola University?
- Staff for surgery
- Immunotherapy drugs offered for specific cases
- High volume of cases speaks to quality of team
Protocol at Loyola University Health System
Surgery for mesothelioma is the first choice at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, as it is at many cancer centers. This is a radical approach but can add years to your life.
One option for surgery is pleurectomy/decortication surgery, which leaves both lungs in the body. This surgery removes the pleural lining, along with the diaphragm and pericardium.
The other option is extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery, which is more radical and tougher on quality of life. This surgery removes one of the lungs, leaving many patients with breathing difficulties.
Use of Chemotherapy With Surgery
Loyola University Health System’s cancer center specialists almost always recommend adjuvant (postoperative) chemotherapy for mesothelioma. It attacks any cancer cells not removed during surgery.
There are a few cases where minimal disease exists after surgery. These patients often are observed without any therapy until signs of recurrence (disease activity). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery) is typically with an extrapleural pneumonectomy.
“If patients cannot have surgery right away,” Dr. Vigneswaran said before leaving, “we will give neoadjuvant chemotherapy.”
Mesothelioma radiation is used for select patients but in a limited capacity. The only target is the chest wall. When tumors from the pleural lining spread to the chest wall — called “chest wall invasion” — it’s difficult to treat with other therapies.
How the Team Uses Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma immunotherapy is an option when patients aren’t surgical candidates. Opdivo and Yervoy were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of pleural mesothelioma. They are two immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Hospital Ranking
- Not listed in the U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 Hospitals Honor Roll
- High performing in gastrointestinal cancer surgery (peritoneal mesothelioma)
- High performing for lung cancer surgery (pleural mesothelioma)
Optune Lua Therapy at Loyola University Health System
Optune Lua is the FDA-approved tumor treating fields therapy. It’s a device sending low-dose electromagnetic waves through the body. The device is attached to the patient’s chest and back to send these waves through the thoracic cavity.
Optune Lua was approved in May of 2019. It’s offered at more than 100 hospitals in the United States. Loyola University Health System is one of them.
Patient Comfort a Priority
The staff at Loyola University Health System’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center see around 50 cases of pleural mesothelioma each year. The majority are operable. This is part of how the hospital has built a highly regarded program for fighting this cancer.
“At Loyola, we have two focuses,” Dr. Vigneswaran said before leaving. “We want to give hope to these patients who are desperate. They are told there’s nothing to do about this disease. So the first is to give them hope. The second is to give them the best treatment available, an individualized treatment approach.”
The team includes thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, nurse navigators and an office assistant. The team works with local oncologists for systemic chemotherapy or immunotherapy. This helps patients avoid unnecessary travel to the Chicago area.
Going to Loyola University Health System for Treatment
We can help you contact the team at Loyola University Health System’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center. The process is easy with the help of a patient advocate. We have our registered nurse, Karen Ritter, available to help you connect with this institution.
Email her at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com or fill out our form for free recommendations on top cancer centers. Either option will begin the process of connecting with Loyola University Health System or finding another cancer treatment facility fitting your needs based on diagnosis, travel and more.
Sources & Author
- Thoracic & Cardiovascular Faculty. Loyola Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.loyolamedicine.org/gme/residencies/thoracic-cardiovascular-surgery/faculty. Accessed: 01/18/2024.
- Loyola University Medical Center. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved from: https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/il/loyola-university-medical-center-6430841. Accessed: 08/11/2025.
AI Summary of Loyola University Health System (Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center)
Loyola University Health System, located in Maywood, Illinois, is a leading medical institution known for its specialized cancer care, particularly in treating mesothelioma. The Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, part of Loyola University Medical Center, offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to this rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. The center's team of experienced medical professionals works closely together to create personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs, aiming to offer the best possible outcomes and hope for those affected by mesothelioma.
The treatment options at Loyola focus primarily on pleural mesothelioma, which develops near the lungs. Surgical procedures are often the first choice, with options like pleurectomy with decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy, each with different impacts on a patient’s quality of life. For many patients, surgery is combined with chemotherapy to attack any remaining cancer cells after the operation. Loyola’s team also utilizes immunotherapy and radiation therapy selectively, depending on the specific case. The medical staff remains up-to-date with advancements, offering patients innovative options such as tumor treating fields therapy, which uses low-dose electromagnetic waves to target cancer cells in the chest area.
Loyola's approach emphasizes patient comfort and individualized care. Their team includes thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, nurse navigators, and support staff dedicated to guiding patients through every step of their treatment process. The center also collaborates with local oncologists to provide systemic therapies like chemotherapy and immunotherapy, helping to minimize the need for extensive travel. For patients not immediately eligible for surgery or those who do not respond to initial treatments, Loyola offers options such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is given before surgery to reduce tumor size, enabling better surgical outcomes.
Overall, Loyola University Health System stands out as a center of excellence for mesothelioma treatment, combining surgical expertise, advanced therapies, and compassionate care. Such a comprehensive approach aims to extend life and improve the quality of life for patients facing this challenging diagnosis, while offering ongoing hope and support throughout their treatment journey. If you or a loved one are seeking specialized mesothelioma care, Loyola’s experienced team is committed to providing personalized, compassionate treatment tailored to each individual’s unique circumstances.