Dr. Robert B. Cameron

Meet Dr. Robert B. Cameron

As one of the leading experts on pleural mesothelioma, Dr. Robert B. Cameron has treated patients at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center since 1998. He also founded UCLA Medical Center’s mesothelioma program and remains its director today.

Dr. Robert Cameron has treated hundreds of mesothelioma patients over the last 25+ years and pioneered the pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) surgery, which is now widely used to treat pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining).

“The most important recommendation is that you should be seen at a mesothelioma center of excellence. That is a center that generally sees a lot of these patients on an annual basis.”
– Dr. Robert Cameron, mesothelioma specialist

He is also a co-founder and former director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, the first nonprofit medical organization committed to diagnosing and treating mesothelioma.

Dr. Cameron’s research has been published in various peer-reviewed medical journals and academic books related to cancer treatment. He is also the editor of Practical Oncology, a clinical manual for cancer specialists.

Key Facts About Dr. Robert Cameron

• Developed the pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) surgery, a less invasive alternative to the extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) that spares the lung closest to the cancer
• Served as Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center since 1998
• Has worked as a professor of cardiothoracic surgery and surgical oncology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine for 25+ years
• Recognized by Super Doctors® Southern California from 2011-2024

Get in touch with Dr. Robert Cameron and other top mesothelioma specialists using our Free Doctor Match service.

Dr. Robert Cameron’s Medical Background

Dr. Cameron earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and medieval studies at Stanford University in 1980. From 1980-1984, he attended medical school at the University of Michigan and then the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

After graduating in the top 4% of his class, Dr. Cameron completed a one-year internship in surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine and stayed on for a five-year residency in general surgery. He fulfilled this fellowship at the National Cancer Institute, an experience that ignited his passion for finding cures for rare types of cancer.

Following his UCLA residency, Dr. Cameron moved to New York to begin a two-year fellowship in thoracic surgery at Cornell University Medical Center.

In September 1994, he became Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). He then took the same role at UCLA in 1997.

Dr. Cameron consistently strives to extend survival outcomes while strongly emphasizing quality of life.

Dr. Robert B. Cameron’s Medical Specializations

Robert Cameron, M.D., is a thoracic surgeon who specializes in cancers of the lungs, lung lining (pleura), and chest wall. In addition to his experience treating mesothelioma, he also treats lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and other conditions.

Dr. Cameron is credited with inventing the pleurectomy with decortication, a lung-sparing surgery for pleural mesothelioma.

Pleurectomy With Decortication

The pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) procedure was revolutionary, as it was far less invasive than previous surgeries.

P/D surgery is a two-step process that includes:

1. Pleurectomy: During the pleurectomy, the surgeon opens the chest or thoracic cavity to remove the lung’s lining.
2. Decortication: The surgeon then scrapes the lung’s lining to remove as much cancer as possible, leaving the lung fully intact.

While not all patients will be eligible for surgery, the P/D allows for sparing the lung while removing the cancer — this is a direct alternative to the previous surgical standard known as an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).

The median survival rate of patients treated with P/D is 34 months. Compare this to the median survival of untreated patients, which is about 4-12 months. In a study of 100 patients, P/D successfully eased chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath while treating mesothelioma tumors.

“In the past, surgeons removed the entire lung, and some surgeons still do. But [EPP] is a surgery that’s more difficult to recover from. We’ve learned 30 years ago that it wasn’t necessary. After surgery, the patients can breathe well. They can’t tell the difference.”
– Dr. Robert Cameron, mesothelioma specialist

In addition to surgery, Dr. Cameron recommends treatments including chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, which boosts the patient’s immune system to identify and attack cancer cells.

Meeting with a mesothelioma specialist soon? Download our Free Checklist of Questions to Ask Your Doctor to prepare for your appointment.

Management of Pleural Mesothelioma

Dr. Cameron’s philosophy is that once mesothelioma has been resected (surgically removed), it can be managed as a chronic disease, much like diabetes.

Although there isn’t a cure for pleural mesothelioma yet, he believes the disease can be controlled with surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation.

“Until [we find a cure], you want to have the cancer successfully treated, and it’s not any different than diabetes. It’s a lifelong illness. You’re not cured from it — but you can be treated very successfully, and you can live a long life. The same kind of expectation should be applied to mesothelioma.”
– Dr. Robert Cameron, mesothelioma specialist

Dr. Cameron believes ongoing maintenance therapy is the best way to keep pleural mesothelioma at bay after surgery. His research has shown maintenance therapy can help patients live comfortably for many years in some cases.

Veterans Treatment

Dr. Cameron has been the Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center since 1998.

The medical facility is the largest center in the VA care system and is affiliated with the UCLA School of Medicine.

Under Dr. Robert Cameron’s leadership, this VA facility rivals many of the nation’s top private hospitals for specialized mesothelioma treatment.

If you or a loved one are a veteran with mesothelioma, you may be eligible to receive free or discounted treatment services at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center if you have VA health care.

Career Highlights for Robert Cameron, M.D.

Dr. Robert B. Cameron has held numerous positions over his 30+ year career. These include Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, co-founding the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, and founding UCLA’s Comprehensive Mesothelioma Program.

He’s also been recognized with many awards and honors for his contributions to the field.

Awards & Honors

• ACS Fellow
• America’s Top Doctors
• Checkbook Top Doc
• Southern California Super Doctors
• Super Doctors
• Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine

Get Help Connecting With Dr. Robert B. Cameron

Dr. Cameron is considered one of the best mesothelioma doctors in the country. His treatment has drastically altered and improved the lives of many of his patients through his treatment methods.

If you or a loved one are facing pleural mesothelioma, our team can help you:

• Find the right doctor for your diagnosis
• Understand what treatments are available
• Pursue financial compensation to pay for treatment

Call us at (866) 608-8933 now or use our Free Doctor Match to get started.