Top U.S. Mesothelioma Treatment Centers

MD Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, TX

National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. One of the highest volumes of mesothelioma patients in the U.S. Strong programs in pleural surgery (EPP and P/D), peritoneal HIPEC, immunotherapy trials, and multidisciplinary tumor boards. Mesothelioma Program led by nationally recognized thoracic surgeons and oncologists. Located in the Texas Medical Center, Houston.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital / Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Boston, MA

Harvard Medical School-affiliated. The International Mesothelioma Program (IMP) at Brigham and Women’s is one of the world’s leading mesothelioma centers. Pioneered the extrapleural pneumonectomy technique and has the largest single-center surgical experience in the U.S. Dr. David Sugarbaker (until his passing) trained most of the leading mesothelioma surgeons currently practicing in America.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — New York, NY

NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Extensive mesothelioma surgery program performing both EPP and P/D. Strong immunotherapy and clinical trial portfolio. Multidisciplinary mesothelioma team including thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pulmonologists. International referral center.

Penn Medicine / University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, PA

Abramson Cancer Center — NCI-Designated. Strong pleural mesothelioma program with experienced thoracic surgery team. Runs CAR-T cell therapy trials targeting mesothelin specifically in mesothelioma. Pioneer in tumor treating fields (TTFields/Optune) for mesothelioma. Pennsylvania location serves Philadelphia-area asbestos workers.

Mayo Clinic — Rochester, MN / Scottsdale, AZ / Jacksonville, FL

Multiple campus system. Multidisciplinary mesothelioma care across all three campuses. Strong peritoneal mesothelioma HIPEC program. Molecular tumor profiling for treatment selection. Patients from across the country seek evaluation here when local options are limited.

UCLA Medical Center — Los Angeles, CA

Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center — NCI-Designated. Active mesothelioma surgery and immunotherapy program serving the Southern California population, which includes many former aerospace and shipyard workers. Multiple active clinical trials.

University of Chicago Medicine — Chicago, IL

Comprehensive Cancer Center — NCI-Designated. Mesothelioma multidisciplinary program with surgical, medical, and radiation oncology expertise. Active research program in immunotherapy combinations and perioperative treatment approaches.

Moffitt Cancer Center — Tampa, FL

NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Strong thoracic surgery program and mesothelioma clinical trial portfolio. Serves Florida’s large population of retired industrial and military workers from across the Southeast.

How to Get a Specialist Referral

  1. Ask your diagnosing physician for a referral to the nearest NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center with a mesothelioma program.
  2. Call the center directly — most mesothelioma programs have a coordinator who can explain what records to send and how long the evaluation process takes.
  3. Send your pathology slides — most centers will want to review the actual tissue slides, not just the pathology report. Cell type reclassification (particularly distinguishing epithelioid from sarcomatoid elements) can change treatment decisions.
  4. Check clinical trial eligibility — tell the coordinator you’re interested in clinical trials as well as standard care evaluation.

Travel assistance: Many mesothelioma law firms and foundations offer assistance with travel costs to specialty centers. Asbestos legal compensation can also fund treatment travel expenses.