California Mesothelioma Treatment

California has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the country, largely due to its long history of asbestos use in shipbuilding, construction, and manufacturing. Fortunately, patients can find specialized care at top cancer centers across the state. Our team can help you or a loved one access California mesothelioma treatment.

Fact-Checked and Updated by: Jenna Tozzi, RN

Last updated: March 17, 2025

California Mesothelioma Treatment Centers

Getting care from experts who understand this rare disease can make all the difference. Mesothelioma treatment centers in California offer specialized medical procedures and a range of support services for patients and family members.

These California mesothelioma treatment hospitals can provide the care and guidance you need after a diagnosis:

Cedars-Sinai

8700 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048

City of Hope Main Campus – Duarte

1500 East Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010

Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego

3855 Health Sciences Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037

Ridley-Tree Cancer Center

540 West Pueblo Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Stanford Cancer Institute

875 Blake Wilbur Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94304

UCLA Medical Center

10833 Le Conte Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024

UCSF Helen Diller Cancer Center

1600 Divisadero Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

West Los Angeles VA Medical Center

11301 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90073

Finding the right mesothelioma treatment in California may help improve your prognosis and quality of life.

Use our Free Doctor Match service to get connected with top California mesothelioma specialists and cancer centers.

California Mesothelioma Doctors

Top mesothelioma doctors in California have experience developing patient-focused treatment plans. Each of these specialists provides high-quality care for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Top California mesothelioma specialists include:

Dr. Bryan Burt – Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at UCLA Medical Center
Dr. Robert Cameron – Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
Dr. William Charles Conway II – Surgical oncologist at Ridley Tree Cancer Center
Dr. Jae Y. Kim – Chief of Thoracic Surgery at City of Hope Duarte
Dr. Johannes Kratz – Thoracic surgeon at UCSF Helen Diller Cancer Center
Dr. Joel Neal – California mesothelioma oncologist at Stanford Cancer Institute
Dr. Marc Ruel – Chief of Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery at UCSF Helen Diller Cancer Center
Dr. Ravi Salgia – Medical oncologist at City of Hope Duarte
Dr. Harmik J. Soukiasian – California mesothelioma surgeon at Cedars-Sinai
Dr. Yanghee Woo – Surgical oncologist at City of Hope Duarte

Patients looking for mesothelioma treatment in California can rely on these specialists for expert care.

California Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Patients in California can access a range of mesothelioma treatments provided by leading specialists.

California mesothelioma treatment may include:

Surgery: Depending on their cancer type and stage, patients may qualify for mesothelioma surgery to remove tumors and potentially increase their life expectancy.
Chemotherapy: Powerful drugs destroy tumors and kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used as the primary mesothelioma treatment or in combination with surgery, radiation, and other therapies.
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs help the body’s immune system find and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation therapy: High-energy radiation can damage the DNA of cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields): This innovative treatment uses low-energy electrical pads to stop cancer cells from growing and spreading. TTFields are typically used with chemotherapy to improve results.
Palliative care: Focused on easing symptoms and improving quality of life, palliative care can include minor surgeries, pain management, emotional support, and other therapies.
Clinical trials: Eligible patients can access emerging therapies or new combinations of treatments through mesothelioma clinical trials.

Point of Hope

After decades as a California auto mechanic, Arthur Putt was ready to retire — until mesothelioma, caused by asbestos exposure in brake pads, changed everything. Thanks to treatment from a specialist and the support of his family, he’s now a 7+ year mesothelioma survivor.

California Mesothelioma Treatment Teams

Patient care teams at California mesothelioma cancer centers have multidisciplinary professionals on staff who provide comprehensive medical treatment and support.

Mesothelioma care teams typically include:

Medical oncologists
Nurses
Nutritionists
Palliative care specialists
Pathologists
Pulmonologists
Radiation oncologists
Social workers
Surgical oncologists
Thoracic surgeons

These individuals work together to:

Develop personalized treatment plans
Offer pain management and palliative care
Provide emotional support to patients and families

Download our Free Checklist of Questions to Ask Your Doctor to make sure you leave your next appointment with all the information you need.

California Mesothelioma Treatment Research and Clinical Trials

Top research centers in California are studying new and more effective mesothelioma treatments that may help patients live longer.

Some of these research centers include:

Ridley-Tree Cancer Center
Stanford Cancer Institute
UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

All these institutions are dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving survival outcomes for mesothelioma patients.

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials in California

Several cancer research centers in California are conducting clinical trials for mesothelioma at no cost to patients. The goal of these trials is to identify better, more effective treatment options to improve length and quality of life.

Ongoing trials are studying:

Immunotherapy Before Surgery: Researchers are evaluating whether giving the immunotherapy drugs Opdivo® and Yervoy® before surgery can help patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma live longer.
MEDI5752 With Carboplatin Plus Pemetrexed: The eVOLVE-Meso trial is studying a new drug, volrustomig (MEDI5752), alongside chemotherapy and immunotherapy to treat inoperable pleural mesothelioma.
OKN4395 With and Without Immunotherapy: The INVOKE study is testing a new drug by itself and with the immunotherapy pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) to see if it’s safe and effective for treating mesothelioma.

Contact our Patient Advocates for help accessing new treatments and clinical trials in California.

Scope of Asbestos-Related Diseases in California

According to data from the Environmental Working Group, 27,080 people died from asbestos-related diseases in the state of California between 1999 and 2017.

Many mesothelioma patients developed this cancer after breathing in or swallowing asbestos fibers at job sites. Asbestos was used in various industries throughout the state before the risks were publicly known.

Notable California asbestos job sites include:

ARCO Twin Towers in Los Angeles
California Shipbuilding Company in Long Beach
Conair Aircraft Plant in San Diego
Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco
Lockheed Martin Aircraft Service in Burbank
Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino
Owens Corning Fiberglas in Sacramento
Pacific Gas & Electric Company in San Jose
Port Nimitz Naval Base in San Diego
Southern Edison Building in Los Angeles
Willamette Shipyard in Richmond

Cost of California Mesothelioma Treatment

On average, California mesothelioma treatment can cost well over $400,000 a year, and insurance usually doesn’t pay for everything.

Potential expenses to consider include:

Alternative treatments
Blood work
Chemotherapy drugs
Hospital stays
Immunotherapy infusions
Medication copays
Multiple imaging scans
Radiation therapy
Surgery

This doesn’t include the cost of transportation or lodging if you’re traveling from another state for mesothelioma treatment in California.

Compensation for California Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma compensation can help you afford medical treatments and manage daily living expenses.

Learn more about pursuing compensation for California mesothelioma treatment through lawsuits, trust fund claims, and veterans benefits below.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma patients in California may be able to take legal action against companies responsible for their asbestos exposure. A successful mesothelioma lawsuit can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Our legal partners have secured over $917 million for California mesothelioma victims, including:

$34 million for an auto mechanic in Los Angeles
$8.81 million for a brick tender & laborer in Lakewood
$5.6 million for an airline industry worker in Santa Barbara
$5.1 million for a union HVAC worker in Sacramento
$4.46 million for a U.S. Navy veteran in San Ysidro
$15 million for a secondhand exposure victim in Livermore

A California mesothelioma lawyer can guide you through the legal process, ensuring your rights are protected while pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Get a Free Case Review today to see if our partner mesothelioma law firm can help you or a loved one pursue financial compensation.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Mesothelioma patients in California may be eligible to file claims with asbestos trust funds created to compensate victims.

Did You Know?

Over $30 billion is set aside and available in asbestos trust funds. You could start receiving the first payouts from trust funds in 90 days or less.

These funds offer financial relief to cover California mesothelioma treatment costs, lost income, and other expenses.

We can connect you with top mesothelioma attorneys who can file asbestos trust fund claims on your behalf if you qualify. Contact us now to get started.

Veterans Benefits

Former service members can apply for veterans benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover the costs of mesothelioma treatment in California.

Veterans may receive free or discounted health care, tax-free disability compensation of over $4,000 a month, VA pensions, and other types of financial assistance if their mesothelioma diagnosis stems from military service.

Get Help Finding California Mesothelioma Treatment

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have options. Treatment from a California mesothelioma doctor may help you improve your length and quality of life.

Mesothelioma Hope can connect you with doctors at top California mesothelioma treatment centers.

We can also help you:

Better understand your diagnosis
Enroll in clinical trials
Find support groups and peer mentors
File legal claims for mesothelioma compensation

Call (866) 608-8933 to speak with a Patient Advocate or get matched with a doctor now.

Disclaimer

Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert Cameron. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Robert Cameron directly.

Written by:Jenna Tozzi, RN

Chief Patient Care Advisor

Jenna 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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