Mesothelioma Foundations

Mesothelioma Doctors

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Simon Cancer Center

Contact Information

1030 W. Michigan St. Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 944-0920

Patients diagnosed with cancer will experience a range of emotions throughout the process. Indiana University Cancer Center designed a program to address the patients concerns through each phase from diagnosis to recovery. Group Support, psychiatric care, spiritual care, social work services, stress reduction, massage therapy, hair replacement, coping strategies and music therapy are provided to support the patient through Indiana’s CompleteLife program.

The Indiana University Cancer Center was initially established in 1992. In 1999, the center earned a designation from the National Cancer Institute. After a significant philanthropic contribution from Melvin and Bren Simon, the Cancer Center changed its name to reflect its gratitude for the support from the family.

In 2006, the Simon Cancer Center received funding for cancer research from both the National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Health. Combined, the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center received $ 44 million in funding. With this funding, 200 principal investigators conduct immunology, microenvironment, hematopoiesis, and other cancer-related therapeutic research. Additionally, the Simon Cancer Center’s Translational Research Acceleration Collaboration (ITRAC) was organized to properly allocate the funds provided by the National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Health.

The school also completed a $150 million holistic cancer center for inpatient and outpatient services. Additional research space was provided in order to facilitate the development of new treatments by research scientists. This partnership is in conjunction with the Clarian Health and Indiana University’s School of Medicine.

Over 300 clinical trials are supported by oncologists and physicians on staff at Indiana University. The Simon Cancer Center collaborates with the National Cancer Institute to assist patients desiring enrollment in a clinical trial. Pemetrexed (branded as Alimta) is currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of mesothelioma. It is a chemotherapy drug currently in combination therapy investigational studies at Indiana University Cancer Center.

Patients should be aware that most trials prefer patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer to determine how the experimental drug reacts with the body’s chemistry without other drugs introduced. For patients who have already received a form of cancer therapy, clinical trials are available but may be deemed a second or third line of defense.

Most patients do not need a referral from a physician to participate in a clinical trial. However, patients must be aware that some private insurance will not cover routine care visits if the patient is participating. Additionally, the patient should inform the principal investigator of the study to be certain that the studies’ treatment does not interfere with the primary oncologist’s cancer therapy regimen.

Patients must be aware of their diagnosis. Ask a social worker to assist in finding the appropriate clinical trial for the diagnosis received. There are more than 2000 cancer clinical trials worldwide and only 3 percent of the nation’s afflicted population participates. Clinical trials are in abundance.

Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer in both men and women. Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately 80 percent of all types of lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos inhalation that may affect the lungs and chest cavity, as well as the abdomen and heart.

Common forms of treatment include:

Surgery: Utilized to remove the solid malignant tumors.
Chemotherapy: Drugs administered intravenously to destroy cancer cells.
Radiation: Radio-active or high energy waves directed at solid cancerous tumors for elimination.
Immunotherapy: Triggers body’s natural immune system to destroy cancer cells.

Oncologists may combine two or more treatment options in a multimodality treatment therapy. Physicians have found that these treatments offer significant improvement on a patient’s prognosis. However, the treatment appears to yield better results with some patients and not others.