
Dr. Robert B. CameronFocus: Pleural Mesothelioma
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Ronald Reagan Medical Center
10780 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Chief of General Thoracic Surgery
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
10780 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 100
Los Angeles, California 90025-7613
Phone: (310) 470-8980
Fax: (310) 470-3742
Email: rcameron@mednet.ucla.edu
Nurse practitioner: Lien Hua-Feng
Secretary: Martha Martinez
Before Dr. Cameron made his contribution to treating pleural mesothelioma, there was only one surgical treatment that was available. Today, his pleurectomy with decortication procedure has improved the lives of many patients.
About Dr. Cameron
Dr. Cameron is head of the mesothelioma program at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center. He is also the chief of surgery at the West Los Angeles Veterans’ Administration Medical Center.
He is the innovator behind the lung-saving pleurectomy with decortication (P/D). Dr. Cameron developed P/D as an alternative to the extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). He believed that he could produce results that were comparable to EPP while sparing the patient’s lung.
Amazingly, Dr. Cameron did just that. Today the pleurectomy with decortication surgical procedure has rates of success that are just as promising as an extrapleural pneumonectomy.
With Dr. Cameron’s success in treating mesothelioma as a chronic disease and his experience in clinical trials, he has become a well-respected advocate for the mesothelioma community.
Medical Degree and Residency
MD UCLA School of Medicine, 1984. Dr. Cameron completed his residency at UCLA Medical Center in Surgery from 1985-1986, 1989-1992.
Professorship
UCLA Assistant Professor of Surgery since 1997
Dr. Cameron’s Accomplishments
- Developed the lung-sparing, life-extending treatment pleurectomy with decortication
- Has treated several mesothelioma patients over the span of his 20+ year career
- Has experience with treating veterans that have been diagnosed due to asbestos exposure during their time of service
- Lead adviser for the Scientific Advisory Board at the Pacific Meso Center
- Co-founder and former director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
Dr. Cameron is a mesothelioma innovator who developed the lung-sparing pleurectomy with decortication. He is renowned for his advanced skill in treating pleural mesothelioma patients with dignity and caution.
Why Choose Dr. Robert Cameron?
- Pioneered the pleurectomy with decortication procedure
- Has 20+ years experience treating mesothelioma
- Leads various clinical trials and mesothelioma research

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University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center
10780 Santa Monica Blvd.Suite 100Los Angeles, California
Doctors: Dr. Robert Cameron
Focus: Pleural mesothelioma
The The Ronald Reagan University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center is in Los Angeles, California and has been there since the 1960’s. Since it's opening, the center has become world renowned for cancer research and treatment.
- The UCLA Medical Center is where mesothelioma specialist Dr. Robert Cameron practices
- Dr. Cameron is the innovator of the pleural mesothelioma surgery, pleurectomy with decortication.
- The center provides grants for mesothelioma awareness and research.
Information on Dr. Robert Cameron
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Dr. Cameron’s Treatment Plan
Before pleurectomy with decortication was developed, the pleurectomy procedure had virtually no curative potential for mesothelioma patients. Dr. Cameron changed that. He developed a treatment plan that is extending the lives of patients who have pleurectomy/decortication.
- Pleurectomy
During this part of the operation, the outer lining of the lung is removed. Since pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs, this procedure removes most of the tumors in the patient’s chest. - Decortication
This process involves removing tumors that are attached to the inner lining and surface of the lung. This is a tedious process because a surgeon must carefully remove the cancer found between the lobes of the patient’s lung.The process of decortication being paired with a pleurectomy has Before the decortication process was developed by Dr. Cameron, the pleurectomy surgery on its own didn’t do much to improve a patient’s survival time.
- Intraoperative Radiation Therapy
Many patients who undergo a P/D also take advantage of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). IORT is the last step of the operation. Instead of radiating beams through a patient’s healthy tissue and muscle, it applies radiation directly to a patient’s disease.The purpose of intraoperative radiation therapy is to kill any microscopic cancer cells that were not removed during surgery. Patients who have IORT as part of their procedure often live longer than those who don’t. Due to this, IORT is becoming more standard in patients who have a P/D.
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Jodi Page is a survivor of stage 2 epithelioid mesothelioma for over 17 years.

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Treating Patients at the West Los Angeles VA
Dr. Cameron helped found the Elmo Zumwalt Comprehensive Mesothelioma Program stationed at the West Los Angeles VA. The program offers top-notch treatment for veterans with mesothelioma looking for medical care in the VA.
Treatments offered at the West Los Angeles VA include:
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Innovative treatments
- Clinical trials
The mesothelioma program at the West LA VA has become one of the top treatment centers in the country thanks to Dr. Cameron. Veterans can rest assured that patients at this treatment center get the same kind of care as those at the best public and private hospitals across the country.
The benefits of treatment through the LA VA include:
- Equal treatment to what is offered at top cancer centers
- Treatment oversight by specialist Dr. Robert Cameron
- Reduced costs of treatment with VA healthcare
Veterans seeking the best treatment for their disease can find it at the West LA VA. Learn more about Dr. Cameron’s role at the LA VA and getting treatment there in our free Veterans Support Guide.
3 Things Veterans with Mesothelioma Need to Know
By : Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
3 Things Veterans with Mesothelioma Need to Know
By : Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Patient Experience
Dr. Cameron has treated many mesothelioma patients over his extensive career. The development of the pleurectomy with decortication, along with other treatments including radiation, has produced amazing results in these patients. Here is what just a few of his patients had to say about their experience:
- Abe Cherry
“Dr. Cameron has saved my life, and I’m doing all I can do. That’s the lesson; you do what you have to do. It’s one step at a time.” - David Vanerhyde
“I’m ecstatic! Even with struggles, I’m still here. I have a loving wife and children. I’m planning a road trip across the U.S.” - Wally Nielsen
“I’m here alive because of Dr. Cameron. I’m treated beautifully here and that’s the bottom line. Dr. Cameron and his staff really care about you as a person.”
These survivors have been given a new lease on life thanks to the treatment they received. Learn how survivors beat the odds with this treatment in our free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide.
Disclaimer: Mesothelioma Guide has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr.
Robert B. Cameron. The contact information above is listed for informational
purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly.