Dr. Robert Cameron
Thoracic Surgeon at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center
Dr. Robert Cameron is a mesothelioma doctor in California. He conceptualized the pleurectomy with decortication surgery for pleural mesothelioma. Before this, there was one surgery available to patients.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center/UCLA Health Thoracic Surgery
100 Medical Plaza, Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90095
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More About Mesothelioma Specialist Dr. Robert Cameron
Dr. Cameron is head of the mesothelioma program at the Ronald Reagan University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center. He’s a thoracic surgeon at the hospital’s cancer center. He is also Chief of General Thoracic Surgery at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center for veterans.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that requires clinical expertise to treat. Dr. Cameron specializes in treating pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the lungs.
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 P/D could produce survival rates comparable to EPP while sparing the patient’s lung.
He’s also a professor of cardiothoracic surgery and surgical oncology at UCLA School of Medicine. He’s been a faculty member since 1997.
How to contact:
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
Medical Degrees and Residencies
- Medical Degree from UCLA School of Medicine, 1984
- Residency in General Surgery at UCLA Medical Center, 1985-1986 and 1989-1992
Certifications and Memberships
- 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’s Treatment Plan
Before pleurectomy with decortication, the pleurectomy procedure had no curative potential for mesothelioma patients. Dr. Cameron changed that. Here are the steps of his P/D surgery for pleural mesothelioma:
- Patients receive up to four cycles of systemic chemotherapy treatment. The last cycle occurs 2-3 weeks before surgery.
- Patients undergo surgery, usually pleurectomy/decortication, if eligible. This surgery leaves both lungs alone. It peels the pleural lining out of the lung cavity. The surgeon also removes part or all of the diaphragm and pericardium (lining around the heart).
- During potential surgery, patients receive 60 minutes of intraoperative chemotherapy. This is called hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC).
Treating Veterans at the West Los Angeles VA
Dr. Cameron helped found the Elmo Zumwalt Comprehensive Mesothelioma Program at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. The program offers top-notch treatment for veterans with mesothelioma.
Treatment at the West Los Angeles VA includes:
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
The mesothelioma program at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center has become one of the top treatment centers in the country. Veterans can rest assured they’ll get the same kind of care as those at the best cancer centers across the country.
Benefits of treatment through the VA includes:
- Equal treatment to what is offered at top cancer centers
- Oversight by specialists like Dr. Robert Cameron
- Reduced medical costs with VA health care
Veterans seeking the best treatment for their disease can find it at the West Los Angeles VA. Learn more about options for veterans in our free Veterans Support 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.
Sources & Author
- Robert B. Cameron, MD. UCLA Health. Retrieved from: https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/robert-cameron. Accessed: 11/15/2024.
- Hope for Veterans with asbestos-related cancer. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/14948/hope-for-veterans-with-asbestos-related-cancer/. Accessed: 12/13/2017.
AI Summary of Dr. Robert Cameron
Dr. Robert Cameron is a highly respected thoracic surgeon and an expert in the treatment of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. Based at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, he leads the mesothelioma program and has made significant contributions to improving surgical options for patients. Dr. Cameron is best known for developing the pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) surgery, which offers a lung-sparing alternative to more extensive procedures. This innovative approach has helped many patients achieve better outcomes while preserving lung function. His work focuses exclusively on pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the lungs, making his expertise especially valuable for individuals facing this diagnosis.
Dr. Cameron’s treatment plan for mesothelioma typically involves several carefully coordinated steps. Patients often receive chemotherapy before surgery, with up to four cycles, to help reduce the cancer’s size and improve the chances of successful treatment. If deemed suitable for surgery, patients undergo the pleurectomy with decortication, a procedure where the doctor removes the lining of the lung, along with parts of the diaphragm or the lining around the heart if necessary. Throughout the surgery, high-temperature chemotherapy is administered directly into the chest, a process known as hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC), which aims to target remaining cancer cells. After surgery, patients receive comprehensive care that can include additional chemotherapy or radiation, tailored to each individual’s needs.
Beyond his work at UCLA, Dr. Cameron has also dedicated himself to supporting veterans through the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. He helped establish the Elmo Zumwalt Comprehensive Mesothelioma Program, which provides specialized care for veterans with asbestos-related cancers. This program offers a full range of treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, delivered by experienced teams of specialists. Veterans receiving care through the VA benefit from expert oversight similar to that found at top cancer centers nationwide, often at reduced costs. For individuals and families facing mesothelioma, Dr. Cameron’s extensive experience and compassionate approach offer a source of hope and reassurance during a challenging time.