Mesothelioma Foundations

Mesothelioma Doctors

Over 30 Billion dollars in trust fund money has been set aside for asbestos victims.

Get a Free copy of Surviving Mesothelioma, Lean on Me, or 100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma

Mesolink.org now offeres Free Assistance with VA Claims and other benefits.

Herbert Irving Comprehensive

Contact Information

Columbia University 701 West 168th Street New York, NY 10032
(212) 305-6921

The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center is a division of Columbia University in New York City, New York. The center began in 1972 and partners with New York Presbyterian Hospital to offer cancer-related services to its patients. It is a designated National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, and has previously been recognized as a top cancer hospital in U.S. News and World Report Magazine. The center has a total of eight research programs that fall under one of three headings: basic, population-based, and disease specific. These headings target areas such as pathogenesis, quality of life, cancer disparities, and survivorship. Each year, Herbert Irving treats approximately 3,500 new cancer patients, takes part in over 200 clinical trials, and employs specialists in a variety of specific oncology disciplines.

Much of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center’s patient care occurs at its partner site, New York Presbyterian Hospital. A Bone Marrow Transplant Program treats individuals with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor cancers. Skull base surgery, operating room imaging, stereotactic radiosurgery, gamma knife surgery, intensity-modulated radio-therapy, and convection enhanced chemotherapy are all utilized in the treatment of brain cancers. The Breast Center at Herbert Irving offers the latest in breast cancer diagnosis, including cancer genetics and ductal lavage.

Patients with mesothelioma can clearly benefit from care at Herbert Irving seeing as the NY Presbyterian Hospital recently established a Mesothelioma Center. Innovative diagnostics, therapy, and research are all available through the new center. More than 100 newly diagnosed mesothelioma cases are treated at the Mesothelioma Center every year, and these patients have a number of treatment options available to them, including the newest experimental treatments. Options for mesothelioma management include debulking surgery, repeated intraperitoneal chemotherapy, whole abdominal radiation, and the newest combination of FDA-approved chemotherapy medicines. Preclinical and research studies seek to target specific genetic profiles in hard-to-diagnose cases, as well as new immunotherapy vaccines and drug and surgical combinations for long-term survival. The center also treats gastrointestinal, gynecologic, pediatric, urologic, skin, and soft tissue cancers.

Most patient support resources at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center are located within the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Social worker services include patient advocacy, counseling, discharge planning, and support group facilitating. Pastoral care is also accessible and is staffed by chaplains, chaplain residents, and interns. The Pastoral Department visits with patients and their families on a regular basis and offers services such as general guidance, religious rites, bereavement counseling, and seminary training. The Nutrition Services Department is staffed by registered dietitians trained in the proper nutrition of patients with cancer, and can offer ideas tailored to the individual on how to best meet dietary needs.

Interpreters in over 140 languages, including sign language, are on hand for patients who require such services. For patients requiring a stay, guest accommodations can be made through the hospital; deluxe accommodations are also available to individuals on an arranged basis. These hospital suites have many of the same amenities one might find in a hotel, though these rooms are not usually covered by insurance. A gift shop and a number of restaurants can also be found within the New York Presbyterian/Herbert Irving-Columbia Medical Center. Support groups for patients with blood cancers, bone marrow transplants, and brain tumors are accessible through the Social Work department. There are also groups for caregivers and the parents/families of children living with cancer. Membership with support groups is free of charge; interested parties should contact the appropriate program coordinator.