Key Takeaways
- Allegheny County — home to Pittsburgh — has some of the highest mesothelioma rates of any county in the nation, driven by decades of steel industry asbestos use. Specialized mesothelioma doctors are available locally.
- The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh has a dedicated Mesothelioma Specialty Program offering clinical trials, cytoreductive/HIPEC surgery, and chemotherapy — with experts in pathology, pulmonology, oncology, thoracic surgery, and pain management.
- Notable Allegheny mesothelioma doctors include Dr. Antoinette Wozniak (30+ years in clinical trials for mesothelioma and lung cancer) and Dr. James Ohr (medical oncologist and hematologist, also accepting patients at UPMC Erie).
- Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC — a two-part procedure used for peritoneal mesothelioma — is available through UPMC. The surgeon removes visible cancer, then delivers heated chemotherapy directly into the abdomen to destroy remaining cells.
- Early detection offers the best prognosis. If you live in Allegheny County and are experiencing symptoms like persistent cough, shortness of breath, weight loss, or fever, seek medical attention and mention any history of asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that can form in the lining of the body’s organs, including in the pleural cavity, abdominal cavity, the heart, and the testicles. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, usually through occupational exposure. For those living in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, there are Allegheny mesothelioma doctors who specialize in treating those with mesothelioma. There are renowned hospitals in Pittsburgh with centers for treating mesothelioma and other diseases. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important to know your treatment options and hospitals that you can treat at.
Prior to a mesothelioma diagnosis, there are common symptoms that people tend to experience. It is important to recognize these symptoms, because the earlier mesothelioma is detected, usually, the better treatments are available. Common symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Fever
Allegheny Mesothelioma Doctors at UPMC
The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, located in Pittsburgh, PA has a Mesothelioma Specialty Program dedicated to treating those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Types of Treatment offered in the Mesothelioma Specialty Program include new and innovative treatments through clinical trials, cytoreductive/HIPEC surgery, and chemotherapy. There are experts in the field of pathology, pulmonology, medical and radiation oncology, thoracic surgical oncology, and pain management. There are expert oncologists, including Dr. James Ohr and Dr. Antionette Wozniak.
Dr. Antionette Wozniak is Interim Chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, as well as a Professor of Medicine. Her research has been in mesothelioma, lung cancer, and thymus gland cancer, with over 30 years of experience in clinical trials. Dr. James Ohr is a medical oncologist and hematologist. He has decades of experience. He is currently accepting new patients at the UPMC Erie location.
Some other Allegheny mesothelioma doctors that treat patients in Pittsburgh, PA include Dr. Claudio Lima and Dr. Navid Ajabshir.
Cytoreductive/HIPEC Surgery
Cytoreductive and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a two-part surgical procedure that would be used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma, which begins in the lining of the abdomen. The cytoreductive portion involves a surgeon removing any visible signs of cancer, and the HIPEC portion of the procedure involves a surgeon inserting a catheter into the abdomen which then administers heat chemotherapy drugs with the aim of destroying the remaining cancer cells.
If you live in or around Allegheny County, and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is beneficial to be aware of Allegheny mesothelioma doctors that can treat you for your malignancy. Catching the cancer early allows for the best possible prognosis in most cases. Throughout our website we have included information on mesothelioma, including different treatment centers.
You can seek compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis by contacting a representative who is experienced in asbestos litigation. Our experienced team has worked with a multitude of people that live and worked in Allegheny County and we would be happy to help you. For more information, please contact us at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form. We represent mesothelioma victims in Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can mesothelioma patients in Allegheny County receive treatment?
The UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh has a dedicated Mesothelioma Specialty Program that provides comprehensive treatment — including new and innovative therapies through clinical trials, cytoreductive/HIPEC surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma, and chemotherapy. The program includes specialists in pathology, pulmonology, medical and radiation oncology, thoracic surgical oncology, and pain management.
Who are the mesothelioma specialists in the Pittsburgh area?
Notable mesothelioma specialists in the Allegheny County area include:
- Dr. Antoinette Wozniak — Interim Chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh. Over 30 years of experience in clinical trials focused on mesothelioma, lung cancer, and thymus gland cancer.
- Dr. James Ohr — Medical oncologist and hematologist with decades of experience. Currently accepting new patients at the UPMC Erie location.
- Dr. Claudio Lima — Treats mesothelioma patients in Pittsburgh.
- Dr. Navid Ajabshir — Treats mesothelioma patients in Pittsburgh.
What is cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC?
Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC is a two-part procedure used to treat peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the abdominal lining). In the first step, the surgeon removes all visible signs of cancer from the abdominal cavity. In the second step, a catheter is inserted into the abdomen to deliver heated chemotherapy drugs directly to the area, targeting any remaining cancer cells that were too small to be seen or removed during surgery. This combination has been shown to extend survival for peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
Why is Allegheny County a high-risk area for mesothelioma?
Allegheny County has one of the highest mesothelioma rates of any county in the nation. In 1953, 62% of all steel and iron workers in the United States were located in Allegheny County — and the steel industry used asbestos extensively in furnaces, protective equipment, building insulation, and boiler rooms. Decades of occupational exposure, combined with secondhand exposure to workers’ families, created an ongoing public health impact that continues to produce new diagnoses today.
What should I do if I live in Allegheny County and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
If you or a loved one lives in or around Allegheny County and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, two steps are important. First, connect with the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center’s Mesothelioma Specialty Program to explore your treatment options. Second, contact an experienced asbestos litigation team to understand your legal options — compensation may be available to help cover medical expenses and other costs. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
