- Address 4301 West Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72205
- Division of Thoracic Surgery Chief Dr. Matthew Steliga
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UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute is a premier treatment center in Little Rock. This facility offers expert care to those facing mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Get help connecting with mesothelioma doctors at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute now.
About UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute was founded in 1984 and is recognized as one of the best hospitals treating mesothelioma and other cancers.
Mesothelioma oncologists (cancer doctors) on staff have decades of experience treating this cancer, ensuring patients get the care needed to improve their life expectancies and health outcomes.
Key Facts on Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
- Specializes in treating pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this cancer.
- Offers comprehensive treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and palliative care.
- Recognized as a Best Hospital for Equitable Access in 2024 by U.S. News & World Report.
- Praised consistently by patients for compassionate and effective mesothelioma care.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Arkansas offers exceptional care and expertise to support you on your journey.
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Mesothelioma Doctors
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has several mesothelioma doctors on staff who specialize in different treatments for this cancer.
Dr. Matthew Steliga serves as the Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Steliga has been on the staff since 2009 and treats mesothelioma tumors using different types of surgery.
Other top UAMS mesothelioma doctors include:
- Dr. Jason L. Muesse is a thoracic surgeon who specializes in treating mesothelioma and lung cancer.
- Dr. Konstantinos Arnaoutakis is a medical oncologist who uses chemotherapy and immunotherapy to help destroy mesothelioma cancer cells.
- Dr. Sajjad A. Bhatti works in the medical oncology division and administers immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.
“Patients are very scared when they’re diagnosed with cancer. I try, and our team tries, to do the best we can to make them comfortable. We discuss their diagnosis, their prognosis, and therapeutic options.”
– Dr. Konstantinos Arnaoutakis, mesothelioma specialist
These doctors work with other health care providers — including radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, nurses, and social workers — to give patients the best quality of life possible.
Use our Free Doctor Match for help connecting with mesothelioma specialists at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
Mesothelioma Treatment at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute offers many mesothelioma treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Many of these treatments are used together to help destroy as much of the cancer as possible.
Learn about mesothelioma treatment options offered below.
Mesothelioma Surgery
Surgery is often a highly effective treatment for mesothelioma, allowing doctors to remove cancer tumors so patients can live longer.
Mesothelioma surgeries offered at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center include:
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): Doctors extract cancer tumors, the lung lining (pleura), and the lung closest to the cancer. When combined with other treatments like radiation and chemotherapy, patients live 26.8 months on average.
- Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D): This surgery allows doctors to take out mesothelioma tumors and the lung lining but spares both lungs. As a result, patients can recover faster than an EPP. Patients who receive this surgery live an average of 34 months.
The type of pleural mesothelioma surgery you might need depends on how far the cancer has spread, your overall health, and other factors.
Doctors at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute can take the time to assess your situation and help you decide if surgery is the right option for your treatment plan.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing. Mesothelioma chemotherapy drugs like pemetrexed and cisplatin (Alimta®) can be used alone or in combination with other treatments to help patients live longer.
Immunotherapy
Mesothelioma immunotherapy helps boost the body’s immune response to cancer. Vanderbilt doctors can use immunotherapy to treat pleural mesothelioma and some cases of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Radiation
Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to attack cancer cells by damaging their DNA.
Radiation therapy is frequently used before mesothelioma surgery to shrink tumors and make them easier to remove. It can also be used after surgery to destroy microscopic cancer cells that may have been left behind.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a newer mesothelioma treatment that helps the body’s immune system more easily destroy cancer cells. Dr. Bhatti, Dr. Arnaoutakis, and other specialists can use mesothelioma immunotherapy to potentially improve your life expectancy.
Palliative Care
Palliative care eases a patient’s symptoms and side effects of more aggressive therapies. Doctors can recommend different palliative treatments to help patients feel more comfortable and improve their quality of life.
Our Free Checklist of 14 Questions to Ask Your Mesothelioma Doctor can help you get answers about the best treatments for your case.
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Patient Care Services
Beyond medical treatments, UAMS offers supportive services to address the emotional, financial, and practical challenges of a mesothelioma diagnosis.
These services include:
- Assistance paying for medications if you don’t have insurance
- Cancer support groups
- Case coordinators who help with planning for care post-discharge
- Chaplain services
- Customized meal plans from registered dietitians
- Pet therapy (visiting dogs)
These services help ensure mesothelioma patients and their families receive the comprehensive care and support they need to navigate every aspect of their cancer journey.
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials at Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
Researchers at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute study new and possibly more effective mesothelioma treatment options through clinical trials.
Doctors on staff were part of a 24-year study that collected samples of patients’ tumors to compile a database that can be used to better diagnose and treat cancers.
Its cancer specialists also contribute to ongoing research to hopefully improve patient outcomes. For example, Dr. Steliga has led workshops for the American Association for Cancer Research, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Interested in joining a clinical trial? Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with specialists who can help you access emerging treatments.
Connect With Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute for Mesothelioma Treatment
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has experts on staff ready to assist you.
Specialists at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute can:
- Determine if you have mesothelioma
- Find the best treatments for your diagnosis
- Offer supportive resources to help on your cancer journey
The staff at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has the experience and dedication needed to give you or a loved one the best quality of life possible.
“Personalized medicine is the way we have practiced medicine for a long time. We have always, as physicians, individualized in the way we treat our patients. It’s not just a diagnostic test that you do. It’s the whole idea of taking care of the patient.”
– Dr. Konstantinos Arnaoutakis, mesothelioma specialist
Take the next step in your treatment journey. Call (866) 608-8933 now or use our Free Doctor Match to connect with top specialists at UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute directly.
Written by:Jenna Tozzi, RNJenna Tozzi, RN, is the Chief Patient Care Advisor for Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to cancer patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.
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