Providing Hope for Mesothelioma Patients

For over 20 years, our caring team has helped mesothelioma patients and their loved ones, providing free mesothelioma resources about top treatments, specialists, financial assistance, and more.

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What Is Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs or abdomen decades after asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the location of the disease (lungs or abdomen), but often include general fatigue, difficulty breathing, and fluid retention in the chest or stomach.

Learn About Mesothelioma Symptoms

Stages of Mesothelioma

There are four ascending stages of pleural mesothelioma, but because of the cancer's slow growth, patients are often not diagnosed until stage 3 or 4.

Learn About the 4 Stages of Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma and develops in the lining surrounding the lungs years after inhaling asbestos fibers.

Learn About Pleural Mesothelioma

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdomen and is the second most common type of mesothelioma. It also has a better prognosis due to it often being discovered early.

Learn About Peritoneal Mesothelioma

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Treatment Options for Mesothelioma

The most common mesothelioma treatments use a multimodal approach combining surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Treatments for mesothelioma can help patients manage their symptoms and increase their chances of long-term survival.
Learn About Top Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Surgery

Specialists often perform surgery for mesothelioma to remove malignant tumors and stop the spread of cancerous cells throughout the body. Surgical procedures can also be used to reduce pain and discomfort in patients with advanced mesothelioma.

View Your Surgery Options

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is commonly used as a way to extend a patient's life when surgery is not an option. Mesothelioma chemotherapy delivers anti-cancer drugs through the bloodstream to kill cancer cells in your body, slowing the spread of the disease.

Learn About Chemotherapy

Radiation

Radiation therapy for mesothelioma is a less invasive procedure than surgery. This targeted form of treatment uses high-energy waves to kill or damage cancer cells, often causing mesothelioma tumors to weaken or shrink in size.

Get Info on Radiation

Doctors and Cancer Centers

Since this disease is so rare and complex, your first — and best — line of defense is getting a treatment plan designed by a top doctor at a cancer center specializing in mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Doctors

Mesothelioma specialists provide up-to-date treatment options and have the most experience in treating this aggressive disease.

Headshot of pleural mesothelioma specialist Dr. Raphael Bueno

Dr. Raphael Bueno

Pleural Mesothelioma Specialist

Learn About Dr. Bueno

Headshot of mesothelioma specialist Dr. Raja Flores.

Dr. Raja Flores

Pleural Mesothelioma Specialist

Learn About Dr. Flores

Mesothelioma specialist Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler

Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Specialist

Learn About Dr. Kindler

How to Find the Right Mesothelioma Doctor

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers

Mesothelioma cancer centers are specialized hospitals that can customize treatment options for mesothelioma patients.

moffitt cancer center logo

Moffitt Cancer Center

12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612

Learn About Moffitt Cancer Center

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Brigham and Women’s Hospital

75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115

Learn About Brigham and Women's Hospital

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The Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine

7200 Cambridge Street 6th Floor, Suite 6A Houston, TX 77030

Learn About The Lung Institute at Baylor

How to Choose a Mesothelioma Cancer Center

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Committed to Providing Quality Content

Mesothelioma Hope strives to bring our readers the most accurate information about the aggressive cancer mesothelioma.

Annmarie Rotan
AnnMarie Rotan, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Attorney Brian Cooke
Brian J. Cooke

Partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy & U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Dr. Mark Levin
Mark Levin, MD

Certified Oncologist and Hematologist

Dr. Assuntina Sacco
Assuntina Sacco, MD

Board-Certified Oncologist

Melissa Crowe Schopfer, Simmons Hanly Conroy Attorney
Melissa Crowe Schopfer

Partner, Simmons Hanly Conroy

Mesothelioma Prognosis

Top specialists will examine your specific diagnosis and overall health to provide you with a mesothelioma prognosis. A prognosis is simply a roadmap of what you can expect, including your likely life expectancy as well as available treatment options.

Remember that a prognosis is a projection based on past experiences. Whether your prognosis is good or poor, every mesothelioma patient’s circumstances are unique, and you still have options.

Survival Rates

With the help of new surgeries and treatments, mesothelioma survival rates have improved over the past 20 years. Getting an accurate diagnosis and specialized treatment is crucial to increasing your survival time.

Learn More About Survival Rates

Remission

While it is rare, some patients have effectively reached states of remission from mesothelioma, meaning that the cancer is no longer observable. Nearly all patients who are in remission received treatment from mesothelioma specialists.

Learn More About Remission

Second Opinions

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, getting a second opinion is important, especially if you were not diagnosed by a specialist. A second opinion may result in a more accurate diagnosis or better treatment plan.

Learn More About Second Opinions

U.S. Military Veterans & Mesothelioma

Throughout the 20th century, United States military veterans were exposed to asbestos at the highest levels of any single group of people. Veterans account for more mesothelioma diagnoses than any other occupation, and as a result, they may be eligible for VA benefits. There’s also a network of VA hospitals with some of the best mesothelioma specialists in the country.

Veterans Asbestos Exposure Risk

U.S. veterans from every branch of the military — including the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marine Corps — are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Learn How Veterans Were Exposed to Asbestos

Asbestos Exposure on United States Navy Ships

Asbestos was used to build ships, planes, vehicles, warehouses, army barracks, and many other military assets for over 60 years. Materials containing asbestos were used on every U.S. Navy ship constructed from 1930-1970.

Learn Which Ships Had Asbestos Onboard

VA Benefits for Mesothelioma

Veterans who developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure while serving this country have access to compensation, including VA disability benefits (often totaling over $3,000 per month).

Learn About VA Benefit Options

Legal Help for Veterans

In addition to applying for VA benefits, veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma can also file legal claims against asbestos product manufacturers (not the military), which can help provide stability for their loved ones.

Learn About Your Legal Options

100% Free Mesothelioma Resources for Patients

Mesothelioma Hope offers several free mesothelioma resources for patients and their families. This includes our complimentary guide and medical materials, support group resources, help finding doctors and cancer centers, VA benefits filing assistance, and free legal consultations with experienced law firms owned by veterans.

Regardless of where you are in your mesothelioma journey, there are many options for you and your family to get the help you deserve.

Medical and Financial Resources

As mesothelioma has developed into a nationally recognized crisis, more insurance companies are including mesothelioma treatment and therapy in their policies. Insurance is just one financial resource that can help ease the financial burden on you and your family.

View Top Mesothelioma Resources

Legal Compensation

Manufacturing companies hid the truth about asbestos for decades. The government mandated that these companies set up trust funds for victims of mesothelioma. With legal guidance, you can access these funds and reduce your financial strain.

Learn More About Legal Compensation

Support Groups

Support groups allow mesothelioma victims and their families to navigate the emotional turmoil that a diagnosis brings. You will gain valuable insight and work alongside others who have been in your shoes. Your loved ones will also learn important coping skills throughout their journey.

Learn How to Find a Support Group

Veterans Support Options

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma can receive support from the government. They wanted to defend our country and its rights but were exposed to asbestos in the process. Veterans can apply for compensation and treatments through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Read About Veterans and Mesothelioma

How We Can Help

Mesothelioma Hope is passionate about helping patients and families affected by this aggressive cancer. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary and isolating, but we’re here for you at every step. Hope is only a phone call away.

(866) 608-8933
Medical Guidance
  • Get a second opinion
  • Find a doctor or cancer center
  • Access clinical trials
  • Improve your quality of life
Financial Assistance
  • Access $30 billion in trust funds
  • File a mesothelioma claim
  • Increase your VA benefits
  • Apply for travel grants
Supportive Care
  • Find a support group or peer mentor
  • Get help with daily tasks
  • Explore respite care options
  • Navigate life post-treatment