Dr. Joel Baumgartner
Surgical Oncologist at UC San Diego Health
Dr. Joel Baumgartner is one of the best mesothelioma doctors along the West Coast. He’s the primary peritoneal mesothelioma surgeon at Moores Cancer Center, which is part of the University of California San Diego Health System.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Moores Cancer Center at University of California San Diego Health
3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
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More About Mesothelioma Specialist Dr. Joel Baumgartner
Mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer caused by asbestos, has two main types. One of them, called peritoneal mesothelioma, forms in the lining of the abdominal cavity and can quickly spread inside the cavity to several organs.
Treating this type of mesothelioma is a specialty of Dr. Baumgartner. He sees 10-15 peritoneal mesothelioma patients a year at UC San Diego Health’s Moores Cancer Center.
Dr. Baumgartner is one of many mesothelioma specialists who completed a fellowship for training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).
“It has changed ever since I was there,” he said of the fellowship. “It’s basically a large peritoneal surface malignancy program. A lot of the training in the fellowship involves taking care of these patients.”
Medical Degrees and Residencies
- Medical Degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, 2003
- Residency in General Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, 2003-2010
- Fellowship in General Surgical Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2010-2012
Certifications and Memberships
- Certified by the American Board of Surgery
Get Connected to Dr. Joel Baumgartner
Dr. Baumgartner sees patients from across the country. He is part of a national HIPEC program and sees 10-15 people with peritoneal mesothelioma a year. He joined the UC San Diego Health System in 2013 as part of Moores Cancer Center.
Why Choose Dr. Baumgartner?
- Vast experience with HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma
- Support for immunotherapy in many cases
- Open to virtual consultations and appointments
Treatment Protocol at Moores Cancer Center
Protocol of mesothelioma treatment at top cancer centers such as Moores Caner Center includes surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Dr. Baumgartner’s training included learning how to perform surgery for mesothelioma.
The main surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery. HIPEC stands for heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy. It is delivered into the abdominal cavity during surgery to attack tiny cancer cells that cannot be removed with surgery.
“I see almost all of the mesothelioma patients at Moores Cancer Center,” he said. “It was not a disease I was ever exposed to at all in medical school or residency training. I did see quite a few at UPMC when I was there for my fellowship.”
Experience With HIPEC Surgery for Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Dr. Baumgartner said he performs cytoreduction and HIPEC surgery at least five times a year and is open to considering patients for surgery when other doctors might not. This is a promising sign for patients hoping for an aggressive treatment plan.
“What interested me then and still does today is — even though it’s an aggressive disease and not all are surgical candidates — for the ones who are surgical candidates, I think we have as big of an impact for this disease as any we do cytoreduction and HIPEC for,” he said. “Cytoreduction/HIPEC seems to give pretty good outcomes compared to what other options there are. We like to do those big operations and put patients through big recoveries if they will be meaningful for their survival and quality of life.”
Survival without surgery is usually 1-2 years. Cytoreduction with HIPEC is associated with a 5-year mesothelioma survival rate of at least 50%. At some cancer centers, like Moores Cancer Center, the rates of success and prognosis for patients are even better.
“We see a wide range of outcomes, even after surgery,” Dr. Baumgartner said. “In all cases, the goal is to do a complete cytoreduction and HIPEC, which means removing all of the tumors and cancer cells.”
Cytoreductive/HIPEC Surgery Steps and Eligibility
Cytoreductive surgery involves removal of the omentum and any overrun organs, such as the spleen. However, if there are just a few noticeable tumors, Dr. Baumgartner tries to gradually remove the nodules.
“Sometimes there is just one or two dots of disease on the spleen and we can ablate those,” he said. “I’ve never been a believer in taking out normal tissue.”
The peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity, is where mesothelioma forms at first. This lining can be spared, which is important since it protects the abdominal cavity and its many organs.
“The peritoneum is not just the abdominal wall and diaphragm,” Dr. Baumgartner said. “It also covers the abdominal organs.”
Patient selection is complicated for HIPEC surgery. There’s a focus on the subtype of the disease, volume of cancer and more. Imaging tests are integral to staging the disease and determining surgical candidacy.
“Mesothelioma is so hard to image to get a good sense of the disease, even with a great MRI,” he said.
Scheduling a Meeting With Dr. Baumgartner
The protocol may include mesothelioma chemotherapy after cytoreduction/HIPEC surgery. Chemotherapy is often an option if patients still have some tumors after the surgery, or if their cancer returns and begins spreading again.
If you would like to schedule a meeting with Dr. Baumgartner, contact our staff. You can send us your information through our free Doctor Match form or contact a patient advocate directly. It is important to do this as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance of being eligible for surgery.
Sources & Author
- Joel M. Baumgartner, MD. UC San Diego Health. Retrieved from: https://providers.ucsd.edu/details/12183/surgery-cancer. Accessed: 08/31/2021.
- Joel Baumgartner. UC San Diego. Retrieved from: https://profiles.ucsd.edu/joel.baumgartner. Accessed: 08/31/2021.
AI Summary of Dr. Joel Baumgartner
Dr. Joel Baumgartner is a highly experienced surgical oncologist specializing in the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. He practices at UC San Diego Health’s Moores Cancer Center, where he is known for his expertise in performing complex surgeries such as cytoreduction combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This specialized treatment involves surgically removing cancerous tissue from the abdominal lining and administering heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity to target remaining cancer cells. Dr. Baumgartner sees a limited number of patients each year, reflecting his focus on providing personalized and advanced care for those diagnosed with this challenging disease. Many patients travel from across the country to consult with him, benefiting from his experience and the comprehensive approach taken at Moores Cancer Center.
Dr. Baumgartner completed his medical degree at Indiana University and gained extensive training in general surgery and surgical oncology through residencies and fellowships, including at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His training focused on the complex surgical procedures required to treat peritoneal mesothelioma and other abdominal cancers. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and actively participates in a nationwide HIPEC program, continually advancing his skills and knowledge. His approach is patient-centered, emphasizing thorough evaluation and careful selection of patients who are suitable candidates for surgery. This involves detailed imaging and assessment of the extent of disease, as successful cytoreductive surgery can significantly improve survival outcomes. Dr. Baumgartner is dedicated to supporting his patients through the entire treatment process, incorporating other therapies such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy when appropriate.
The primary goal of Dr. Baumgartner’s treatment at Moores Cancer Center is to achieve complete removal of cancerous tissue, which offers the best chance for extended survival. He performs cytoreduction and HIPEC surgeries multiple times each year, often considering patients who might not be options elsewhere. For eligible patients, this combined approach has been associated with a five-year survival rate of at least 50 percent, a significant improvement in outcomes for this aggressive disease. While survival without surgery generally ranges from one to two years, surgery combined with HIPEC can markedly extend this outlook. Patients are supported throughout their treatment, and Dr. Baumgartner encourages early consultation to determine suitability and explore all available options. His compassionate, patient-first approach aims to maximize both survival and quality of life for those facing a mesothelioma diagnosis.