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.

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Contact Information

1441 Eastlake Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 865-3000

Being diagnosed with cancer can be overwhelming, but finding a treatment center should not be. USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in Los Angeles, seeks to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. Designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, USC Norris is renowned for its devoted staff of scientists and physicians "providing leadership in cancer treatment, research, prevention and education".

Researchers at USC Norris seek to find answers to the questions surrounding cancer: What are the origins of cancer? How does cancer progress? Can certain treatments slow or stop the progression of cancer? Will this new drug cure cancer? Can cancer be prevented? With over a million dollars in research grants, biochemists, geneticists, epidemiologists, and physicians work closely together to identify, prevent, treat, and cure cancers, from colorectal and breast to mesothelioma and leukemia.

Clinical trials are research projects that utilize consenting patients to test the efficacy of a drug or therapy. At USC Norris, clinical trials are an important part of the research process. For someone in the advanced stages of a disease, clinical studies, which are frequently more aggressive than traditional treatments, may prolong and improve their quality of life. Participating in clinical studies can also be beneficial to patients because new treatments are available earlier than they would be to the general patient population. If a patient is enrolled in a clinical study, they may leave the study at any time, for any reason.

For patients that may have mesothelioma, the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has a Mesothelioma Laboratory. In fact, the FDA has given approval for a clinical trial of Veglin, a drug that has some great potential in the treatment of mesothelioma.

Along with traditional cancer treatments - chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery - USC Norris is studying other treatment options. These include:

Newer Chemotherapy Drugs - Alimta - used to treat lug cancers whose growth has not been halted by traditional chemotherapy.
Non-Chemotherapy Drugs - Veglin, Avastin, and PXD101 are anti-angiogenesis drugs. Anti-angiogenesis drugs prevent the ongoing formation of new blood vessels that may be feeding the cancer cells. These treatments are especially promising in patients with renal cell carcinoma and mesothelioma.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) - IMRT is a high does of radiation that can be targeted to hit only the cancerous cells while saving the healthy cells that surround the area.
Gene Therapy - replacing or knocking out genes that have abnormal qualities.
Cancer treatments can be as individual as the patient. Together, the patient and their doctor will devise the best course of action depending upon the type of cancer, the stage, and their health.

Cancer patients highly benefit from the support of family and friends. In that light, USC Norris believes that support is an important part of the healing process. Many times the caregiver has questions and needs support themselves. Strength for Caring meets twice a week at USC Norris and supports the caregivers of the cancer patient. Social workers help caregivers formulate questions they should ask the doctor on behalf of the patient and health issues that they should be aware of in the patient. Social workers also encourage the caregivers to take time for themselves and keep in tune with their body and mind. Caregivers can become depressed and physically and emotionally drained, something that is often overlooked. Having a safe place to discuss their feelings and their needs helps the caregiver to better serve the needs of the cancer patient.