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More About Mesothelioma Treatment at University of Chicago Medicine
University of Chicago Medicine has a doctor for peritoneal mesothelioma on staff: Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler. The hospital’s Mesothelioma Program also includes two thoracic surgeons capable of treating pleural mesothelioma: Dr. Jessica Donington and Dr. Mark Ferguson. Dr. Kiran Turaga previously worked here as a peritoneal mesothelioma specialist but moved to Yale School of Medicine.
University of Chicago Medicine for mesothelioma includes more medical professionals, including:
- Three radiologists
- An oncologist
- A pulmonologist (specialist of respiratory system functioning)
- Two pathologists
- Two palliative medicine specialists
A staff with this many mesothelioma doctors – plus a developed program – puts University of Chicago Medicine near the top of the list for mesothelioma care. There are a handful of cancer centers in the U.S. with mesothelioma specialists and programs.
Chicago Medicine recently added a new state-of-the-art facility. The new hospital will be at the campus in Hyde Park, a subdivision in the south side of Chicago. This facility will focus on cancer treatment. Construction is estimated to begin in 2023 – if the cancer center addition is approved – and open to patients in 2026.
The new building would be seven stories tall, feature 128 beds and 100 examination rooms. Other features are rooms for genetic testing, imaging, infusion, counseling and urgent care. University of Chicago Medicine anticipates the new cancer center add-on to increase the outpatient and inpatient volume, allowing doctors to provide care for more patients – and more frequently.
- Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler, Director of Mesothelioma Program
- Dr. Jessica Donington, Chief of the Section of Thoracic Surgery
- Dr. Mark Ferguson, thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Darren Bryan, thoracic surgeon
- University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
- University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Cytoreductive/HIPEC surgery
- Pleurectomy/decortication
- Immunotherapy
- Systemic chemotherapy
- Radiation
Get Connected to University of Chicago Medicine
University of Chicago Medicine has a leading Mesothelioma Program. The program is run by Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler, a specialist for peritoneal mesothelioma. There are two peritoneal mesothelioma surgeons and two pleural mesothelioma surgeons.
Why Choose University of Chicago Medicine?
- Sees cases of pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma
- Highly rated mesothelioma program with full team of professionals
- Surgery options and clinical trials for advanced cases
Surgery for Both Types of Mesothelioma
University of Chicago Medicine for mesothelioma has specialists capable of performing surgery for both types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma surgery options are pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy. The former is preferred since it leaves both lungs intact.
Peritoneal mesothelioma surgery is cytoreduction. The other part is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The medical team infuses chemotherapy into the abdominal cavity to treat tumors in the area. The cancer center is most known for their HIPEC surgery program.
“We all know prevention is better than cure,” Dr. Turaga said. “If we can predict this disease early or find it very early, there’s no question these patients will do better.”
- Not listed in the U.S. News & World Report 2023-2024 Hospitals Honor Roll
- Ranked 3rd in Illinois
- Ranked 16th for cancer treatment in general
- Not listed for gastrointestinal surgery (peritoneal mesothelioma)
- Ranked 30th in lung cancer surgery (pleural mesothelioma)
Consideration to Rising Treatments
University of Chicago Medicine is hosting a study for two immune checkpoint inhibitors for mesothelioma. The therapies, Opdivo and Yervoy, are approved by the FDA for unresectable pleural mesothelioma. This study is one of the first incorporating immunotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma.
Patients receive Opdivo and Yervoy (brand names for nivolumab and ipilimumab, respectively), followed by HIPEC/cytoreductive surgery. The objective is to assess how peritoneal mesothelioma tumors respond to immunotherapy treatment – and if the drugs shrink tumors and make surgery easier.
How to Get Treatment at University of Chicago Medicine for Mesothelioma
Chicago is an easily accessible cancer center with regular incoming flights from throughout the country. This means going to University of Chicago Medicine’s cancer center is a top option for patients.
The HIPEC program is highly regarded. Thoracic oncology and surgery is also rated well. If you wish to learn more about mesothelioma care from this cancer center, contact our team. Our registered nurse, Karen Ritter (karen@mesotheliomaguide.com), can help you contact the Mesothelioma Program at the hospital. Reach out to her for cancer recommendations via email or with a cancer center contact form.
Sources & Author
- Our Mesothelioma Physician Team. UChicago Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/cancer/types-treatments/mesothelioma/physicians. Accessed: 01/01/2021.
- Hedy Lee Kindler, MD. UChicago Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/hedy-lee-kindler. Accessed: 01/01/2021.
- Jessica Donington, MD, MSCR, UChicago Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/jessica-donington. Accessed: 01/05/2021.
- Mark K. Ferguson, MD. UChicago Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/mark-k-ferguson. Accessed: 01/05/2021.
- UChicago Medicine wants to build $633 million hospital to treat cancer. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved from: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/2/3/22915102/uchicago-medicine-wants-build-633-million-hospital-treat-cancer. Accessed: 02/10/2022.