Welcome to the University of Chicago Mesothelioma Site

Welcome to the web site of The University of Chicago Cancer Research Center Mesothelioma Program.

For more than twenty years, The University of Chicago has been a pioneer in the study and treatment of malignant mesothelioma - a rare disease that affects 2,500 to 3,000 people in the United States each year.

Our program is comprised of a dedicated team of medical oncologists, surgeons, nurses, pathologists, imaging specialists and scientists who understand the unique characteristics of this disease. We use a team approach with weekly mesothelioma program meetings. Our comprehensive and multidisciplinary focus is a direct reflection of our clinical interest in mesothelioma and our expertise in developing novel treatment protocols that extend lives.

The testing and use of promising new approaches for mesothelioma involving chemotherapy, novel targeted agents, and surgery is one of our highest priorities. Many of our clinical trials are performed in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, drug manufacturers, and other institutions.

The University of Chicago plays a key role in the conception and evaluation of these treatments, and is positioned to offer the most diverse treatment options to patients. We have many different options available, so we can tailor the right treatment for each individual patient.

Our primary goal at The University of Chicago is to identify and develop treatment regimens to improve the quality of our patients' lives and to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-threatening disease. The opportunities in our clinical research program to deliver focused, targeted therapies give us confidence that survival of mesothelioma patients will continue to improve as they have in the past.

A critical component of our success has been the encouragement and support that we have received from our patients and their families as we work on their behalf. In fact, one of our patients urged us to create this website and provided the financial support to make it a reality.

Read "One Patient's Story" written by our friend Al Todak

How you can help

We want to share our excitement about the improvements we see for the future of mesothelioma treatment. Thank you for visiting our web site, and we invite you to call or write for more information.