Mayo Clinic Mesothelioma Program: Comprehensive Care & Clinical Trials Across 3 Campuses

Mayo Clinic consistently ranks among the top 3 cancer treatment centers in the United States and operates one of the country's most advanced mesothelioma treatment programs across three geographic locations. With thoracic surgery teams performing over 1,000 complex surgeries annually, Mayo Clinic's integrated approach enables patients to receive comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment planning in coordination with access to cutting-edge clinical trials.

What Key Facts Should You Know About Mayo Clinic Mesothelioma Program?

• Ranked #1 or top 3 for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report annually across multiple specialties
• 3 major campus locations providing mesothelioma treatment: Rochester MN, Phoenix AZ, and Jacksonville FL
• Over 1,000 thoracic surgeries performed annually across all Mayo locations by experienced surgical teams
• Multidisciplinary evaluation coordinated so patients see surgeons, oncologists, and specialists on same day
• 18.1 month median survival achieved in CheckMate 743 trial combining nivolumab and ipilimumab immunotherapy
• Active clinical trial participation in immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, and novel drug combination studies
• 3,000 Americans diagnosed annually with mesothelioma, with many choosing top-tier centers like Mayo
• Both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma treated with specialized protocols and dedicated surgical expertise
• $30 billion+ in asbestos trust funds available to help cover treatment costs including travel for specialized care
• Integrated survivorship programs support patients through treatment completion and long-term follow-up

Why Is Mayo Clinic Ranked Among the Top Mesothelioma Treatment Centers?

Mayo Clinic has earned its reputation as a world-leading mesothelioma treatment center through several converging factors: exceptional surgical volume, research output, clinical trial access, and an integrated care model that coordinates treatment across multiple specialties.[1]

The health system's thoracic surgery division performs complex resections and multimodal procedures at a scale that builds and maintains surgical expertise. High surgical volume correlates directly with better patient outcomes in mesothelioma—research demonstrates that patients treated at high-volume centers achieve superior survival compared to those treated at centers performing fewer specialized procedures annually.[2]

Mayo Clinic maintains NCI-designated cancer center status across all three campuses, providing access to clinical trials and research infrastructure that few institutions match. This infrastructure enables Mayo to participate in major cooperative trials (through SWOG and other groups) while conducting its own proprietary mesothelioma research. Patients benefit from first access to emerging treatments being studied at Mayo and through partner institutions.

The integrated multidisciplinary care model sets Mayo apart. Rather than requiring patients to schedule separate appointments with surgeons, oncologists, and other specialists over weeks or months, Mayo coordinates these consultations efficiently. Many patients complete comprehensive evaluation within one or two days, accelerating treatment planning and reducing the burden on patients and families traveling for specialized care.

"Mayo Clinic's commitment to treating mesothelioma from the moment of diagnosis through long-term survivorship reflects our understanding that this disease requires specialized expertise at every step. Our multidisciplinary approach means no specialist works in isolation—every decision integrates surgical expertise, oncology knowledge, and patient goals."

— Mayo Clinic Thoracic Surgery Division, Mesothelioma Treatment Team

What Makes Mayo's Multidisciplinary Approach Different for Mesothelioma Patients?

Mayo Clinic's integrated care model coordinates patients to see multiple specialists in a single clinic visit or over one to two coordinated days, contrasting sharply with traditional care models where patients schedule oncology one month, surgery another month, and radiation therapy a third month with minimal cross-specialty communication.[3]

In Mayo's model, the patient meets with a thoracic surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, pulmonologist, and pathologist. These specialists review the patient's imaging, pathology, and clinical presentation simultaneously rather than sequentially. This collaborative evaluation means that treatment recommendations reflect input from all relevant specialists rather than the perspective of a single physician.

The efficiency gains are substantial. Patients avoid multiple cross-country trips and waiting periods. Treatment planning accelerates. Communication between specialists is direct and real-time rather than occurring through medical records months later. For a disease as aggressive as mesothelioma, these efficiency gains translate directly into clinical advantage—tumors are not growing unchecked during gaps between specialist consultations.

Mayo also integrates pathology review into the multidisciplinary discussion. A dedicated thoracic pathologist reviews tissue samples to confirm diagnosis and determine cell type, with the pathologist participating in treatment planning discussions. This ensures that surgical and oncologic decisions reflect accurate pathologic diagnosis rather than assumptions.

After treatment decisions are made through multidisciplinary collaboration, care coordination extends through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and into survivorship. Rather than patients becoming "orphaned" after one treatment phase ends, Mayo maintains coordinated follow-up through all phases of treatment and recovery.

Which Mesothelioma Surgeries Does Mayo Clinic Perform?

Mayo Clinic surgeons perform the full spectrum of mesothelioma surgical procedures: extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) for carefully selected pleural mesothelioma patients, pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) as a lung-sparing alternative, and cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal mesothelioma.[2]

Extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removing the affected lung along with the surrounding pleural lining, diaphragm, and pericardium to achieve complete macroscopic tumor resection. This aggressive approach is appropriate for early-stage epithelioid pleural mesothelioma in patients with excellent overall health and adequate lung function in the remaining lung. EPP carries significant operative risk but offers the best chance for long-term survival in selected candidates.

Pleurectomy/decortication removes the pleural lining and visible tumor while preserving the lung itself. P/D has gained increasing prominence at Mayo and other top centers as surgical techniques, anesthesia, and perioperative care have improved. The lung-sparing approach typically involves shorter operative times, faster recovery, and preserved lung function while still achieving meaningful survival benefit when combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Peritoneal mesothelioma, accounting for 10-20% of mesothelioma cases, is treated with cytoreductive surgery removing affected peritoneum and visceral organs involved with tumor, followed immediately by HIPEC—heated chemotherapy delivered directly into the peritoneal cavity during surgery. Mayo's peritoneal mesothelioma program includes specialized expertise in this technically demanding procedure with survival outcomes approaching or exceeding those for pleural mesothelioma in some patient populations.

"The choice between extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy/decortication represents a fundamental shift in how we approach mesothelioma surgery. Modern techniques have made P/D increasingly effective while offering reduced operative risk and better quality of life. At Mayo, we have expertise in both approaches and select based on what's best for each individual patient's disease and overall health."

— David Foster, Mesothelioma Advocate and Treatment Expert

What Clinical Trials Are Available at Mayo Clinic for Mesothelioma?

Mayo Clinic conducts and participates in numerous mesothelioma clinical trials offering access to treatments often years ahead of broader availability. The health system's research partnerships with cooperative groups including SWOG (Southwest Oncology Group), ECOG-ACRIN, and others provide access to major national trials. Additionally, Mayo develops proprietary research protocols investigating novel approaches to mesothelioma treatment.[4]

Immunotherapy trials represent a major focus area, particularly combinations of checkpoint inhibitors that unleash the immune system's ability to fight mesothelioma. The CheckMate 743 trial comparing nivolumab plus ipilimumab to chemotherapy demonstrated 18.1 month median survival in the immunotherapy arm, establishing dual checkpoint inhibition as a standard treatment approach. Mayo investigates next-generation immunotherapy combinations, newer checkpoint inhibitors, and strategies to identify which patients benefit most from specific immunotherapies.

CAR-T cell therapy trials represent another frontier. These personalized therapies involve extracting a patient's own T cells, genetically engineering them to recognize mesothelioma-specific targets, expanding the engineered cells to millions, and reinfusing them to attack mesothelioma tumors. Early results in mesothelioma show promise, with Mayo evaluating CAR-T approaches in carefully selected patients.

Targeted therapy trials investigate drugs designed to attack specific molecular characteristics of mesothelioma tumors—BAP1 mutations, NF2 alterations, and other genomic drivers of mesothelioma. Mayo performs molecular testing on patient tumors to identify candidates for targeted trials matching their tumor's genetic profile.

Novel surgical technique trials evaluate emerging approaches to maximizing tumor resection, including robotic-assisted surgery, intraoperative thermal therapy, and other innovations. Mayo's high-volume surgical program provides the patient population and expertise necessary to safely investigate and validate emerging surgical approaches.

How Does Mayo Clinic's 3-Campus Network Benefit Mesothelioma Patients?

Mayo Clinic's three major campuses—Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida—each maintain comprehensive mesothelioma treatment programs. This geographic distribution provides several advantages: patients can access world-class mesothelioma care without necessarily traveling to Rochester, the original Mayo location.

The Phoenix campus, which has grown dramatically to become Mayo's largest by patient volume, offers full mesothelioma treatment including thoracic surgery, oncology, radiation therapy, and clinical trial access. For patients in the Western United States and Southwest, Phoenix provides proximity to specialized care. Similarly, Jacksonville serves patients in the Southeast without requiring travel to Minnesota.

Importantly, all three campuses share Mayo Clinic's protocols, research access, and clinical expertise. A patient treated at Phoenix receives the same evidence-based treatment protocols as a patient in Rochester, and all campuses participate in the same clinical trials. This consistency means patients can choose based on geography rather than compromising care quality for convenience.

The multi-campus network also enables Mayo to leverage resources across locations. When a patient at one campus requires expertise concentrated at another campus, Mayo can coordinate consultations or referrals seamlessly. A complex surgical case might be reviewed by expert surgeons across all three campuses to ensure optimal recommendations.

For patients who need to relocate during treatment—perhaps for additional chemotherapy or radiation at a different time in their treatment course—Mayo simplifies transitions between campuses. Medical records, imaging, and treatment plans flow seamlessly within the Mayo system, avoiding the common delays and communication gaps patients experience transferring between different health systems.

What Should Patients Expect During Their First Mayo Clinic Visit?

Patients beginning mesothelioma evaluation at Mayo Clinic undergo a comprehensive intake process designed to gather complete medical and exposure history, review prior imaging and pathology, and perform additional testing as needed. New patients typically schedule appointments with a mesothelioma coordinator who helps arrange the evaluation sequence.

The initial visit usually includes consultations with thoracic surgery, medical oncology, and potentially pulmonology, with scheduling coordinated to minimize disruption to the patient's schedule. Patients bring all prior imaging (CT scans, PET scans), pathology reports, and medical records for review. Mayo's radiologists often re-review imaging to ensure familiarity with the specific patient's disease characteristics.

Additional testing may be ordered: pulmonary function testing to assess remaining lung capacity (important for surgical planning), cardiac evaluation to ensure fitness for surgery or intensive treatment, and sometimes additional pathology review or molecular testing to identify genetic characteristics of the tumor.

Within one to two days, the patient meets with the multidisciplinary team—surgeon, oncologist, radiation specialist, pathologist, and sometimes pulmonologist. This team presents treatment recommendations based on collective expertise, discussing options, risks, benefits, and expected outcomes. For many patients, this collaborative approach to treatment planning represents a significant difference from their previous medical experience.

Mayo also discusses clinical trial options, explaining available trials, eligibility criteria, and whether the patient's disease matches trial requirements. Trial participation is voluntary, and many patients value understanding all options before selecting a specific treatment course.

"Coming to Mayo for mesothelioma evaluation transformed my understanding of my disease and my treatment options. Meeting with multiple specialists in coordinated meetings rather than scattered appointments meant I learned more in two days than I had in the previous months of scattered consultations. The thoughtful discussion of both standard and experimental approaches gave me confidence that my treatment plan was well-considered."

— Anonymous Mesothelioma Patient, Mayo Clinic Treatment Program

How Can Patients Cover Mayo Clinic Treatment Costs?

Mayo Clinic accepts most major insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance. Before treatment begins, Mayo's financial counselors verify insurance coverage, work with insurers to obtain necessary prior authorizations, and ensure patients understand their coverage and out-of-pocket obligations.[3]

For uninsured or underinsured patients, Mayo operates financial assistance programs and payment plans to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent access to treatment. Many patients are surprised to learn that Mayo's charity care policies often cover significant portions of treatment costs for patients with limited financial resources.

Beyond Mayo's direct support, patients should explore asbestos trust funds, which have over $30 billion available to compensate mesothelioma victims. Trust fund settlements can directly cover treatment costs at any facility, including Mayo Clinic. Our experienced mesothelioma attorneys help patients pursue trust fund claims and litigation settlements, often before treatment begins, providing funds that can cover Mayo treatment, travel costs, and family living expenses during treatment.

Veterans with military asbestos exposure may qualify for VA disability benefits, which provide monthly compensation that can help offset treatment costs. The VA also maintains a network of VA hospitals offering mesothelioma treatment, though many veterans choose top-tier centers like Mayo for treatment while using VA benefits to help finance that specialized care.

Additionally, patients traveling to Mayo for treatment should explore housing assistance programs. Several nonprofit organizations offer free or reduced-cost accommodations near Mayo campuses for cancer patients and caregivers, substantially reducing overall treatment costs. Mayo's patient services team provides information on these resources.

How Does Mayo Clinic's Treatment Expertise Compare to Other Top Centers?

Mayo Clinic joins a select group of elite mesothelioma treatment centers including Memorial Sloan Kettering, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and MD Anderson Cancer Center. What distinguishes these centers from community hospitals is surgical volume, multidisciplinary integration, clinical trial access, and institutional commitment to continuous improvement in mesothelioma treatment.

Patients seeking optimal mesothelioma treatment benefit from consulting at multiple top centers to compare treatment recommendations. Second opinions are standard practice in mesothelioma care, and Mayo welcomes patients seeking confirmation of recommendations from other centers. Many patients ultimately select their treatment center based on comparing approaches, specialist expertise, and personal factors like geographic proximity.

For patients uncertain whether Mayo's program is the right choice, requesting a second opinion consultation provides detailed information about recommended treatment without committing to treatment at that center. Mayo's consultative approach recognizes that informed patients who have compared options across multiple centers often have better satisfaction with ultimately selected treatment and better psychological adjustment to their disease and treatment course.

Why Should Mesothelioma Patients Consider Specialized Treatment Centers?

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that many community physicians see only occasionally during their careers. Outcomes differ dramatically between high-volume specialized centers and community hospitals. Research consistently demonstrates that patients treated at specialized mesothelioma centers achieve substantially better survival than those treated at general oncology practices.

The survival difference reflects multiple factors: surgeons experienced in complex mesothelioma resections achieve better technical outcomes and fewer complications, multidisciplinary teams integrate expertise that community hospitals cannot assemble, clinical trial access provides cutting-edge treatment options, and institutional expertise enables continuous refinement of treatment approaches.

For a disease averaging 12-18 months median survival nationally, seeking treatment at a specialized center offering multimodal therapy combining surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can mean the difference between months and years of survival. This dramatic potential impact justifies the effort and cost of traveling for specialized care.

We recommend taking our free mesothelioma case assessment quiz to learn more about your diagnosis and treatment options, then consulting with our mesothelioma lawyers about both compensation options and referrals to top treatment centers like Mayo Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mayo Clinic Mesothelioma Treatment

Q: What mesothelioma surgeries does Mayo Clinic perform?

Mayo Clinic performs both extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) for pleural mesothelioma, along with cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma. The surgical approach is individualized based on disease stage, histologic type, patient age, and overall health following comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation.

Q: Where are Mayo Clinic's mesothelioma treatment locations?

Mayo Clinic operates comprehensive cancer and thoracic surgery programs at three major campuses: Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida. All three locations offer complete mesothelioma treatment services including surgery, medical oncology, radiation therapy, and clinical trial participation. Patients can access world-class care at the location most convenient geographically.

Q: What clinical trials does Mayo Clinic offer for mesothelioma?

Mayo Clinic participates in numerous mesothelioma clinical trials including immunotherapy combinations, CAR-T cell therapies, targeted therapies for specific molecular mutations, and novel surgical approaches. Mayo participates in major cooperative group trials (SWOG, ECOG-ACRIN) while conducting proprietary research, providing patients access to cutting-edge treatments.

Q: How does Mayo Clinic's multidisciplinary approach work?

Mayo's integrated model coordinates patients to see thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, and pathologists, often on the same day or over one to two coordinated days. Specialists review the patient's case collaboratively and present treatment recommendations reflecting input from all relevant specialties rather than single-physician decisions.

Q: Does insurance cover mesothelioma treatment at Mayo Clinic?

Most major insurance plans cover mesothelioma treatment at Mayo Clinic, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance. Mayo's financial counseling team verifies coverage before treatment, obtains prior authorizations, and helps identify financial assistance for any uncovered costs. Uninsured patients have access to Mayo's charity care programs.

Q: Can patients get a second opinion at Mayo Clinic without committing to treatment?

Yes. Mayo Clinic welcomes patients seeking second opinions for mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Many patients consult at multiple specialized centers to compare approaches before selecting where to pursue treatment. Seeking second opinions is standard practice in mesothelioma care and often leads to better treatment selection and patient satisfaction.

References

1. U.S. News & World Report Rankings: health.usnews.com — Mayo Clinic consistently ranks #1 or top 3 for cancer care among U.S. hospitals
2. National Cancer Institute: Mesothelioma Treatment (PDQ) — Comprehensive overview of mesothelioma surgical procedures including EPP, P/D, and HIPEC
3. ClinicalTrials.gov: Search for Mesothelioma Trials — Database of active clinical trials including Mayo Clinic participation
4. National Cancer Institute: Asbestos Fact Sheet — Overview of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma incidence (3,000 U.S. diagnoses annually)
5. Mayo Clinic Official Site: mayoclinic.org — Mayo Clinic's cancer and thoracic surgery program information
6. WikiMesothelioma: Mayo Clinic Mesothelioma Program — Comprehensive profile of Mayo's multidisciplinary approach and treatment options
7. WikiMesothelioma: Mesothelioma Treatment Centers Directory — Guide to top specialized treatment centers nationally
8. WikiMesothelioma: Mesothelioma Clinical Trials Overview — Information on immunotherapy trials, CAR-T therapy, and emerging treatments