Best Hospitals for Mesothelioma Treatment: 12 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers in 2026

Key Facts About NCI-Designated Mesothelioma Cancer Centers

• 74 NCI-designated cancer centers operate across 37 states and the District of Columbia, with 57 holding the Comprehensive Cancer Center designation [1]
• Peritoneal mesothelioma patients at academic centers achieve a five-year survival rate of 29.7% compared to 18.3% at community hospitals [3]
• Academic facilities performed debulking or radical surgery in 42.9% of cases versus 20.2% at community hospitals [3]
• Treatment at a community facility is an independent predictor of increased mortality risk (hazard ratio 1.19, p = 0.001) [3]
• The CheckMate 743 trial established nivolumab plus ipilimumab as the first-line standard of care, with 18.1 months median survival [5]
• Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) achieves 22–34 months median survival compared to 13.5–17 months for extrapleural pneumonectomy [9]
• Operative mortality is 4% for P/D versus 7% for EPP — most NCI centers now favor the lung-sparing approach [9]
• Approximately 2,500 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed annually in the United States [11]
• NCCN and ASCO guidelines recommend histology-based treatment selection: epithelioid patients may receive chemotherapy or immunotherapy, while non-epithelioid patients benefit most from nivolumab plus ipilimumab [7][8]
• The IND.227 trial showed pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy achieved a 62% objective response rate with improved survival [4]
• NCI-designated centers offer multidisciplinary tumor boards combining thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and radiology [15]
• Most NCI-designated centers accept Medicare, major insurance plans, and referrals from community oncologists for second opinions

Why Does Where You Get Treated Matter for Mesothelioma?

The hospital you choose for mesothelioma treatment directly affects your survival. A study published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology analyzed 2,682 patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma and found that five-year survival was 29.7% at academic centers compared to 18.3% at community hospitals [3]. That 11.4 percentage point gap represents a measurable difference in outcomes driven by surgical expertise, treatment protocols, and clinical trial access.

The same study revealed that academic facilities performed debulking or radical surgery in 42.9% of cases — more than double the 20.2% rate at community hospitals [3]. Additionally, 28.8% of academic center patients received chemotherapy on the same day as surgery, compared to just 10.4% at community facilities [3]. Multivariable analysis confirmed that treatment at a community facility was an independent predictor of increased mortality risk (hazard ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.08–1.32) [3].

"Mesothelioma is rare enough that most community oncologists will treat only a few cases in their entire careers. NCI-designated cancer centers see these patients regularly, which means their tumor boards, surgical teams, and treatment protocols are built around this disease — not adapted on the fly."

— Anna Jackson, Director of Patient Support, Danziger & De Llano

Three factors drive the survival gap between specialized centers and community hospitals:

• Surgical volume: Centers that perform more mesothelioma surgeries have lower complication rates and better long-term outcomes
• Multidisciplinary care: NCI-designated centers assemble tumor boards with thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, and specialized pathologists who review each case collaboratively [15]
• Clinical trial access: NCI-designated centers participate in trials for emerging therapies including CAR-T cell therapy, tumor treating fields, and next-generation immunotherapy combinations

What Are the 12 Best NCI-Designated Cancer Centers for Mesothelioma?

The following 12 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers have documented mesothelioma treatment programs, thoracic oncology expertise, and active participation in mesothelioma research and clinical trials. All are verified on the NCI Cancer Center Directory [2][14].

1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — New York, NY

MSK is one of the oldest and most recognized NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, first receiving its designation in 1971 [13]. The center's thoracic surgery department has published extensively on both extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy/decortication for mesothelioma [10]. MSK operates one of the largest dedicated mesothelioma programs in the country, including surgery, medical oncology, and radiation therapy under a single multidisciplinary team.

2. MD Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, TX

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is consistently ranked among the top cancer hospitals in the United States. Its Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery treats mesothelioma patients with multimodal approaches, and the center participates in multiple NCI-sponsored mesothelioma clinical trials. MD Anderson's size and research infrastructure give patients access to emerging immunotherapy protocols and precision medicine approaches.

3. Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center — Boston, MA

Dana-Farber, in partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital, operates one of the nation's leading mesothelioma programs. The Brigham thoracic surgery team has been central to the development of pleurectomy/decortication techniques and has contributed landmark research on surgical outcomes. The center's combined medical oncology and surgical expertise makes it a primary destination for multimodal treatment.

4. Moffitt Cancer Center — Tampa, FL

Moffitt Cancer Center is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center with a dedicated thoracic oncology program. Located in Tampa, Moffitt serves as a regional hub for mesothelioma patients across the Southeast. The center offers surgical options, immunotherapy, clinical trials, and a multidisciplinary thoracic tumor board that reviews every mesothelioma case.

5. Abramson Cancer Center — Philadelphia, PA

The Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center with established expertise in mesothelioma pathology and treatment. Penn Medicine participates in the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank, a multi-institutional biorepository supporting translational mesothelioma research. The center offers surgical, medical, and radiation oncology services for mesothelioma under a coordinated care model.

6. University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center — Chicago, IL

The University of Chicago's NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center brings hematology/oncology expertise to mesothelioma care. The center's researchers have contributed to mesothelioma clinical trials and published on treatment outcomes. Located in Chicago, it provides access to both established multimodal treatments and investigational therapies.

7. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center — Pittsburgh, PA

UPMC Hillman is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a founding member of the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank, a research collaboration designed to accelerate mesothelioma discovery [15]. The center's thoracic surgery and medical oncology programs treat mesothelioma with a multidisciplinary approach, and UPMC's extensive clinical trials portfolio includes mesothelioma-specific studies.

8. Duke Cancer Institute — Durham, NC

Duke Cancer Institute is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center whose pathology department has contributed to the International Mesothelioma Interest Group's diagnostic guidelines. Duke's thoracic oncology team provides surgical and systemic treatment options, and the center's research infrastructure supports participation in national mesothelioma clinical trials.

9. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center — Rochester, MN (also Phoenix, AZ and Jacksonville, FL)

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center holds NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center designation and operates across three campuses. Mayo's thoracic surgery department treats mesothelioma with both pleurectomy/decortication and multimodal protocols. The three-campus model gives patients geographic flexibility, and Mayo's integrated practice model means every specialist involved in a patient's care operates within the same system.

10. Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center — Houston, TX

The Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine is an NCI-designated center with a Division of General Thoracic Surgery experienced in mesothelioma treatment. Baylor's researchers have participated in NCI-sponsored mesothelioma clinical trials planning and consensus development [15]. The center is located in the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world.

11. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCLA) — Los Angeles, CA

The UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center is an NCI-designated center with thoracic oncology and surgical programs that treat mesothelioma. UCLA Health serves as a major referral center for the Western United States, providing access to immunotherapy protocols, surgical expertise, and clinical trials for mesothelioma patients in California and surrounding states.

12. Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (Johns Hopkins) — Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins' Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of the original NCI-designated centers. The institution's pathology and thoracic surgery departments have longstanding expertise in mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment. Johns Hopkins participates in national mesothelioma research collaborations and offers patients access to both standard multimodal treatment and investigational therapies through its clinical trials program.

What Treatments Do These Cancer Centers Offer for Mesothelioma?

NCI-designated cancer centers offer the full range of mesothelioma treatments, delivered through multidisciplinary teams that coordinate every aspect of care. The specific treatment plan depends on the mesothelioma type, stage, cell type, and the patient's overall health.

Surgery

Two primary surgical approaches exist for pleural mesothelioma. Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) removes the diseased pleural lining while preserving the lung. Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) removes the entire lung, pleura, pericardium, and diaphragm. Research published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery shows P/D achieves a median survival of 22–34 months compared to 13.5–17 months for EPP, with lower operative mortality — 4% versus 7% [9]. Most NCI-designated centers now favor P/D for eligible patients.

For peritoneal mesothelioma, cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) is the standard approach at specialized centers, achieving a median survival of 44.6 months in experienced hands [3].

Immunotherapy

The CheckMate 743 trial established nivolumab plus ipilimumab as the first-line standard of care for unresectable pleural mesothelioma [5]. This dual checkpoint inhibitor combination achieved a median overall survival of 18.1 months compared to 14.1 months with chemotherapy. The benefit was strongest in non-epithelioid subtypes: 16.5 months versus 8.8 months for chemotherapy (hazard ratio 0.46) [4].

The IND.227 trial demonstrated that pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy improved survival with a 62% objective response rate [4]. Second-line nivolumab achieved a 47% disease control rate in the NivoMes study [4]. These immunotherapy protocols are standard at NCI-designated centers.

"The immunotherapy revolution has changed what we tell families about mesothelioma treatment. Five years ago, chemotherapy was the only first-line systemic option. Today, patients at NCI-designated centers can access dual checkpoint inhibitors, combination immunotherapy-chemotherapy protocols, and clinical trials testing the next generation of treatments."

— Anna Jackson, Director of Patient Support, Danziger & De Llano

Chemotherapy

Platinum-based chemotherapy with pemetrexed remains a standard treatment option, particularly for epithelioid mesothelioma [7]. NCCN guidelines recommend cisplatin or carboplatin combined with pemetrexed, with or without bevacizumab [7]. At NCI-designated centers, chemotherapy is often combined with surgery or immunotherapy as part of a multimodal plan.

Radiation therapy

Radiation is used adjuvantly after surgery, for symptom palliation, or in select cases as part of a trimodal approach (surgery + chemotherapy + radiation). Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allows NCI-designated centers to deliver targeted doses while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue [6].

Clinical trials

NCI-designated centers participate in clinical trials testing CAR-T cell therapy targeting mesothelin, tumor treating fields (TTFields), novel immunotherapy combinations, and neoadjuvant treatment strategies [4][6]. Access to these trials is a primary reason patients travel to specialized centers.

How Do Patients Choose the Right Mesothelioma Cancer Center?

Selecting a mesothelioma treatment center involves weighing medical expertise against practical factors. The strongest predictor of outcomes is institutional experience — centers that treat mesothelioma regularly achieve better results than those that see it rarely [3].

Factor	What to Look For	Why It Matters
NCI designation	Comprehensive Cancer Center status	Ensures rigorous research standards and multidisciplinary care
Mesothelioma volume	Center treats mesothelioma patients regularly	Higher volume correlates with better surgical outcomes
Multidisciplinary team	Tumor board with thoracic surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, pathologist	Coordinated care produces better treatment plans
Clinical trials	Active mesothelioma trials	Access to emerging therapies not available at community hospitals
Surgical approach	Center offers both P/D and EPP	Allows patient-specific surgical planning
Geographic access	Proximity or travel support programs	Sustained treatment may require multiple visits over months

"I tell every family: call the cancer center directly and ask two questions. First, how many mesothelioma patients do you treat per year? Second, do you have a multidisciplinary tumor board that includes a thoracic surgeon who performs mesothelioma surgery? If the answer to either question is uncertain, keep looking."

— Anna Jackson, Director of Patient Support, Danziger & De Llano

How Can Patients Access These Cancer Centers?

Getting to an NCI-designated cancer center is more accessible than many patients realize. Most centers accept referrals from community oncologists and can coordinate the initial consultation within days of receiving medical records. Many also offer virtual second-opinion consultations for patients who cannot travel immediately.

Insurance and financial considerations

NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most major private insurance plans. Many centers have dedicated patient navigation programs that help mesothelioma patients understand their coverage and identify financial assistance options. For patients pursuing asbestos trust fund claims or mesothelioma lawsuits, legal settlements frequently include provisions that cover treatment costs at specialized facilities.

Travel and lodging

Several NCI-designated cancer centers partner with hospitality organizations to provide reduced-cost lodging for patients traveling for treatment. The American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge program offers free housing near treatment centers in multiple cities. Some centers also maintain guest apartments or hotel partnerships for mesothelioma patients undergoing multi-week treatment protocols.

Veterans access

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma from military asbestos exposure have additional pathways. The VA healthcare system can refer veterans to NCI-designated cancer centers for specialized treatment, and VA disability compensation can help cover travel and lodging costs. Many NCI-designated centers have VA liaisons to coordinate care for veteran patients [12].

What Should You Do After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis?

A mesothelioma diagnosis requires prompt action on two fronts: medical treatment and legal protection. Both have time-sensitive deadlines.

Medical steps:

• Request a referral to an NCI-designated cancer center with a mesothelioma program
• Ask for a multidisciplinary consultation that includes a thoracic surgeon experienced in mesothelioma
• Get a pathology review — mesothelioma cell type (epithelioid, sarcomatoid, or biphasic) determines treatment options [7]
• Ask about clinical trial eligibility at the NCI-designated center
• Request a second opinion if your community oncologist recommends chemotherapy alone without evaluating surgical options

Legal steps:

• Contact a mesothelioma attorney to identify all sources of asbestos exposure and potential compensation
• File claims against applicable asbestos bankruptcy trust funds — more than $30 billion is designated for victims
• Document your work history, military service, and exposure timeline
• Act within statute of limitations deadlines, which vary by state

For a free, confidential evaluation of your case, take our case assessment quiz or call to speak with an attorney who can connect you with treatment specialists and identify every available compensation pathway.

"The patients who do best are the ones who get to the right center early. Every week matters with mesothelioma — the sooner a multidisciplinary team evaluates the case, the more treatment options remain available. We help families coordinate both the legal and medical timelines so nothing falls through the cracks."

— Anna Jackson, Director of Patient Support, Danziger & De Llano

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an NCI-designated cancer center?

An NCI-designated cancer center is a medical institution recognized by the National Cancer Institute for meeting rigorous standards in cancer research, treatment, and prevention [1]. There are 74 NCI-designated cancer centers across 37 states and the District of Columbia. Of these, 57 hold the Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, meaning they demonstrate exceptional depth and breadth of research across basic, clinical, and population science. NCI-designated centers receive federal funding to support cutting-edge cancer treatments, clinical trials, and translational research that community hospitals typically cannot offer.

Why should mesothelioma patients seek treatment at an NCI-designated cancer center?

Research published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology found that peritoneal mesothelioma patients treated at academic centers achieved a 29.7% five-year survival rate compared to 18.3% at community hospitals [3]. Academic centers performed surgery in 42.9% of cases versus 20.2% at community facilities. NCI-designated centers also offer access to mesothelioma-specific clinical trials, multidisciplinary tumor boards, and the latest immunotherapy protocols including nivolumab plus ipilimumab [5].

What treatments are available for mesothelioma at NCI-designated cancer centers?

NCI-designated centers offer multimodal treatment including surgery (pleurectomy/decortication or extrapleural pneumonectomy), first-line immunotherapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab, platinum-pemetrexed chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and clinical trials for emerging therapies [4][6][7]. The CheckMate 743 trial established nivolumab plus ipilimumab as the standard of care, achieving 18.1 months median overall survival versus 14.1 months with chemotherapy [5].

How do I find a mesothelioma specialist at an NCI-designated cancer center?

Visit the NCI's Find a Cancer Center page [2], which lists all 74 centers searchable by state. Contact the center's thoracic oncology program and request a multidisciplinary consultation. Many centers accept referrals from community oncologists and offer virtual second-opinion consultations.

Does insurance cover treatment at an NCI-designated cancer center?

Most health insurance plans, including Medicare, cover treatment at NCI-designated cancer centers. These centers are typically in-network for major carriers. Some asbestos trust fund settlements and mesothelioma lawsuit awards specifically allocate funds for treatment costs. Many centers also have financial counselors to help patients navigate coverage options.

What is the difference between pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy?

Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) removes the diseased pleural lining while preserving the lung. Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) removes the entire affected lung along with the pleura, pericardium, and diaphragm. Research shows P/D achieves median survival of 22–34 months versus 13.5–17 months for EPP, with lower operative mortality (4% vs. 7%) [9]. Most NCI-designated centers now favor P/D for eligible patients.

Can I get a second opinion at an NCI-designated cancer center?

Yes. NCI-designated centers routinely provide second opinions for mesothelioma patients. With approximately 2,500 new cases per year in the United States [11], most community oncologists encounter this disease infrequently. A second opinion from a specialized center can confirm diagnosis, expand treatment options, and determine clinical trial eligibility. Most centers offer both in-person and virtual consultations.

What Sources Were Used in This Article?

Government and Institutional Sources

1. National Cancer Institute. "NCI-Designated Cancer Centers." cancer.gov.
2. National Cancer Institute. "Find an NCI-Designated Cancer Center." cancer.gov.
3. National Cancer Institute, Office of Cancer Centers. "Cancer Center Directory." cancercenters.cancer.gov.
4. National Cancer Institute. "Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — NCI Profile." cancer.gov.
5. National Cancer Institute. "Malignant Mesothelioma Treatment — Patient Version." cancer.gov.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Incidence of Malignant Mesothelioma — U.S. Cancer Statistics." cdc.gov.
7. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "Asbestos — VA Public Health." va.gov.

Peer-Reviewed Medical Research

8. Taioli et al. "Survival Outcomes for Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma at Academic Versus Community Hospitals." Annals of Surgical Oncology. 2021. PubMed 34287781.
9. Baas et al. "CheckMate 743: Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab in Unresectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma." The Lancet. 2021.
10. Savoldi et al. "Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A 2025 Update." Cancers. 2025. PMC11818641.
11. Kindler et al. "Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma: ASCO Guideline Update." Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2025.
12. Ettinger et al. "NCCN Guidelines Insights: Mesothelioma: Pleural, Version 1.2024." JNCCN. 2024.
13. Burt et al. "Pleurectomy and decortication versus extrapleural pneumonectomy survival comparison." Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2023.
14. Flores et al. "Extrapleural pneumonectomy and extended P/D: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering approach." Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery. 2012. PMC3741802.
15. Kindler et al. "Current and Future Management of Malignant Mesothelioma: NCI Consensus Report." Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2018.

Related Articles

• Mesothelioma Treatment Centers 2026: Top 6 Specialized Facilities in the US — Related coverage
• Mayo Clinic Mesothelioma Program: Comprehensive Care & Clinical Trials — Leading NCI-designated program with multimodal care
• Best Hospitals for Mesothelioma Treatment: 10 Centers with Published Survival Data in 2026 — published survival outcomes at top treatment centers
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Mesothelioma Care: New York — MSK's dedicated mesothelioma program, surgical volumes, and treatment approach