Key Takeaways
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, founded in 1904 and now part of the Temple University Health System, is a Pennsylvania cancer center that offers specialized mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment.
- Diagnostic methods at Fox Chase include endoscopic biopsy, needle biopsy, surgical biopsy, and imaging tests such as CT scans, PET-CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and ultrasounds. Results typically come back within a few days.
- For peritoneal mesothelioma (abdominal), Fox Chase offers cytoreductive surgery combined with HIPEC (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy) — a combination that has been shown to significantly extend life expectancy.
- For pleural mesothelioma (lung), surgical options include extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy with decortication (P/D), both typically available for patients in stages I through III.
- Additional treatments include systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and interventional pulmonology for managing pleural effusions.
- Treatment plans are tailored based on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis.
Fox Chase Cancer Center was founded in 1904. In 2012, Fox Chase Cancer Center became a part of the Temple University Health System. There are a multitude of doctors there treating many different ailments. Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have the option to be treated at the Center. Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer so it is important that patients receive the best possible treatment.
In order to detect and diagnose mesothelioma specialists can conduct a variety of tests, including physical exams, biopsies and imaging scans. Those at Fox Chase realize the importance of early detection. Different tests can be done, including an endoscopic biopsy. This is when a thin, long, tube-like instrument called an endoscope lets the doctor see inside the body. The endoscope has a light, and a camera and tissue can be removed from the body for testing. Another way to test for mesothelioma at the Fox Chase Cancer center is through a needle biopsy, which is when a needle is inserted into the body and takes out small samples of tissue or fluid for testing. Additionally, a surgical biopsy and imaging tests can be conducted. Imaging tests include CT scans, PET-CT scans, MRI scans, x-rays and ultrasounds. After being tested for mesothelioma, results tend to come back within a few days and the physician at Fox Chase will make sure they get the results back to the patient as quickly as possible, while answering any questions that the patient might have.
Mesothelioma Treatment at the Fox Chase Cancer Center – Options
Once someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, Fox Chase offers different treatment options depending on the type of mesothelioma as well as the stage of cancer the patient is in. One treatment option for peritoneal mesothelioma, which starts in the abdominal cavity, is cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Cytoreduction is an open surgery that is very long. Its aim is to take out as much of the cancer from the lining of the abdominal cavity as the surgeon can. HIPEC involves administering chemotherapy drugs into the abdominal cavity after they have been heated. These treatment options combined have been very successful with patients who have mesothelioma, extending life expectancy.
Another treatment option for those with peritoneal mesothelioma includes systemic chemotherapy. This is when medication is administered through the bloodstream and circulated throughout the body to destroy cancer cells.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma, and it begins in the thoracic cavity. Doctors at Fox Chase treat patients with pleural mesothelioma in a variety of ways. One option is a pleural catheter placement. This is when a catheter is temporarily inserted into the body, which is then drained of fluid a couple of times a week. Another treatment option is surgery. Surgery is normally available for patients with stages I, II and III pleural mesothelioma. The purpose of surgery is to take out tumors from the chest cavity and the lining of the lungs. There are two types of surgical procedures that are conducted at Fox Chase for pleural mesothelioma patients. These procedures are an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy with decortication (P/D).
An EPP is when the entire lung, the lining of the chest wall, parts of the diaphragm and potentially the lining of the heart are all removed. This treatment option works the best for those with early-stage pleural mesothelioma. A P/D is when a portion of the lung affected by mesothelioma is removed. Parts of the pericardium, diaphragm and the lining of the chest wall may also be removed. The decortication occurs when all visible tumors on the chest and lung are removed. This surgery is normally well-suited for those with early-stage mesothelioma.
Other Options
Systemic therapies are also available. These include chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. These types of therapies may be recommended for patients with later stages of mesothelioma.
Radiation therapy is also an option. This is when high-energy beams are utilized to destroy cancer cells. Radiation is usually used after surgery and chemotherapy.
Interventional pulmonology is also a treatment option available at Fox Chase for patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which treats pleural effusions.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, call (800) 505-6000 today. If you are being treated for mesothelioma, please fill out the form for a free Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Information Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fox Chase Cancer Center treat mesothelioma?
Yes. Fox Chase Cancer Center, part of the Temple University Health System in Philadelphia, offers specialized diagnosis and treatment for both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. The center provides a full range of diagnostic testing, surgical options, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy tailored to each patient’s type and stage of cancer.
How is mesothelioma diagnosed at Fox Chase?
Fox Chase uses multiple diagnostic methods to detect and confirm mesothelioma:
- Endoscopic biopsy — a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the body to view tissue and collect samples
- Needle biopsy — a needle extracts small samples of tissue or fluid for laboratory testing
- Surgical biopsy — tissue is removed during a surgical procedure for analysis
- Imaging tests — CT scans, PET-CT scans, MRI scans, X-rays, and ultrasounds
Results typically come back within a few days, and the physician works to get results to the patient as quickly as possible.
What treatments does Fox Chase offer for peritoneal mesothelioma?
For peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the abdominal lining), Fox Chase offers cytoreductive surgery combined with HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy). Cytoreductive surgery is an extensive open procedure that removes as much visible cancer as possible from the abdominal cavity. HIPEC then delivers heated chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdomen to target remaining cancer cells. This combination has been shown to significantly extend life expectancy in peritoneal mesothelioma patients. Systemic chemotherapy — medication delivered through the bloodstream — is also available.
What surgical options are available for pleural mesothelioma at Fox Chase?
Fox Chase performs two primary surgeries for pleural mesothelioma patients, typically those in stages I, II, or III:
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) — removes the entire affected lung, the chest wall lining, parts of the diaphragm, and potentially the lining of the heart. Best suited for early-stage patients.
- Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) — removes the portion of the lung affected by mesothelioma along with parts of the pericardium, diaphragm, and chest wall lining, plus all visible tumors on the chest and lung surface. This lung-sparing surgery is also typically best for early-stage patients.
Fox Chase also offers pleural catheter placement to drain fluid buildup from the chest a few times per week, which can relieve symptoms like shortness of breath.
What non-surgical treatments are available at Fox Chase for mesothelioma?
In addition to surgery, Fox Chase offers several systemic and supportive therapies:
- Chemotherapy — medication delivered through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells throughout the body
- Immunotherapy — treatments that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells
- Targeted therapy — drugs designed to target specific cancer cell mechanisms
- Radiation therapy — high-energy beams used to destroy cancer cells, typically administered after surgery and chemotherapy
- Interventional pulmonology — specialized treatment for pleural effusions (fluid buildup around the lungs)
These therapies may be recommended for patients with later-stage mesothelioma or as part of a multimodal treatment plan.
Where is Fox Chase Cancer Center located?
Fox Chase Cancer Center is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is part of the Temple University Health System. Founded in 1904, it is one of the leading cancer research and treatment facilities in the region. Its location makes it accessible to mesothelioma patients throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
How do I get more information about mesothelioma treatment options in Pennsylvania?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, understanding all available treatment options is an important first step. Fox Chase Cancer Center is one of several specialized treatment facilities in the region. For a free Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Information Guide and to learn more about your options, call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form.
