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More About Mesothelioma Treatment at UCSF Health
University of California San Francisco Health is one of the top institutions for treating the rare cancer mesothelioma. It features a mesothelioma surgeon and a roster full of medical oncologists skilled in treating thoracic cancers, including pleural mesothelioma. The health system’s resources include a medical center, medical school and cancer center.
Dr. David Jablons, the thoracic surgeon for most mesothelioma cases, is the Chief of General Thoracic Surgery at the center. One of the features of UCSF Health is the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. This facility is where patients often go for mesothelioma treatment.
The cancer center has a Thoracic Surgery and Oncology Clinic. It’s also a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.
Dr. Thierry Jahan, another mesothelioma specialist, was on staff at UCSF Health’s cancer center until 2020. He retired as a cancer doctor and medical school professor in June of that year.
“I started in this disease close to 20 years ago when we really had very little to offer other than comfort measures and treatment to ease people’s suffering,” Dr. Jahan said. “Now we’re up to having state-of-the-art molecular analyses and specifically designed drugs that target exactly the disease and very little else so they don’t cause a lot of side effects.”
Dr. David Jablons, Chief of General Thoracic Surgery
Dr. Melissa Coleman, thoracic surgeon
Dr. Trever Bivona, thoracic medical oncologist
Dr. Kent Adler, oncologist
Dr. Gregory Allen, thoracic medical oncologist
Dr. Natalie Marshall, medical oncologist
Dr. Caroline E. McCoach, thoracic medical oncologist
Dr. Collin Blakely, thoracic medical oncologist
Dr. Sorbarikor Piawah, gastrointestinal oncologist
Dr. Melisa L. Wong, thoracic medical oncologist
Dr. Steve Braunstein, radiation oncologist
Dr. Shayne Cardozo, thoracic surgery and oncology nurse coordinator
Marla Magante, nurse navigator
Joan O’Mahoney, nurse practitioner
Daphne Stuart, social worker
University of California San Francisco Medical Center
University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
University of California San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Pleurectomy/decortication surgery
Extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery
Systemic chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
Get Connected to UCSF Health Medical Center
University of California San Francisco Health is one of the top medical facilities along the West Coast. The center’s Chief of General Thoracic Surgery is Dr. David Jablons, a mesothelioma specialist. He leads mesothelioma treatment at the health network’s world-renowned cancer center.
Why Choose UCSF Health?
Top surgeon leading pleural mesothelioma care
Abundance of treatment options for patients
Unique mesothelioma trials testing new therapies
Deciding Between Two Surgeries
UCSF Health’s website says the two surgery options for stage 1 mesothelioma are extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy/decortication. The former removes the affected lung while the latter spares both lungs and focuses on taking out the pleural lining and diaphragm.
For stages 2-4, the staff focuses on pleurectomy/decortication or systemic therapy such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Other options are radiation therapy and procedures to drain fluid, notably pleurodesis.
Listed in the U.S. News & World Report 2024-2025 Hospitals Honor Roll
Ranked 7th in cancer treatment
Ranked 18th in gastrointestinal cancer surgery (peritoneal mesothelioma)
Ranked 4th in lung cancer surgery (pleural mesothelioma)
Ranked 1st in San Francisco
Ranked 1st in California
Unique Therapies Offered in Clinical Trials
UCSF Health’s cancer center hosts multiple clinical trials at a time with spots for mesothelioma cases. One of the more unique studies is for a CAR T-cell therapy called gavo-cel. This autologous therapy trains human T cells to target the cancerous protein mesothelin, which is usually on the surface of mesothelioma cancer cells.
The trial is in early phases with room for up to 70 patients. Another clinical trial at UCSF Health uses Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) on various solid tumor cancers, including mesothelioma.
Start Your Treatment Journey at UCSF Health
With one decision, you or your loved one could be taking a significant step toward a life-changing treatment plan. This one decision is ultimately which cancer center you’ll go to for treatment.
University of California San Francisco’s cancer center is a worthy choice. As one of the best medical facilities along the West Coast, it has an abundance of resources and patient-first staff to help you through your treatment journey.
Email our lead patient advocate, Nurse Karen Ritter, with any questions about UCSF Health. She can also help you schedule an appointment or look for another hospital to fit your individual needs. Her email is [email protected].
Last Edited: July 25, 2024.
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