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Minnesota Mesothelioma Treatment

Asbestos was once used heavily on Minnesota shipyards and blue-collar work sites. Between 1999 and 2017, the state reported some of the highest rates of asbestos-related deaths. There are many comprehensive cancer centers in Minnesota that can help you or your loved one in your battle against mesothelioma. Learn how we can help you connect with top doctors and cancer centers.

Fact-Checked and Updated by: Jenna Tozzi, RN

Last updated:

Minnesota Mesothelioma Treatment Centers

The following are mesothelioma cancer centers in Minnesota where you can find a variety of treatments:

University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center

University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center

Minneapolis

Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Minneapolis

Use our Free Doctor Match to get connected with a Minnesota mesothelioma doctor at one of these treatment centers.

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Minnesota Mesothelioma Doctors

Minnesota is home to excellent mesothelioma doctors who use proven treatments and cutting-edge therapies to fight this cancer.

Some of the top mesothelioma doctors in Minnesota include:

  • Dr. Aaron S. Mansfield

    Dr. Aaron S. Mansfield

    Medical oncologist at the Mayo Clinic of Rochester who researches new immunotherapy drugs

  • Dr. Amit Bhargava

    Dr. Amit Bhargava

    Thoracic surgeon at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Burnsville

  • Dr. Dennis Wigle

    Dr. Dennis Wigle

    Chair of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic of Rochester

  • Dr. Robert Kratzke

    Dr. Robert Kratzke

    Medical oncologist at the University of Minnesota who treats pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma

  • Dr. Tobias Peikert

    Dr. Tobias Peikert

    Pulmonologist at the Mayo Clinic of Rochester who specializes in lung cancer and mesothelioma

  • Dr. Todd Tuttle

    Dr. Todd Tuttle

    Surgical oncologist at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center

  • Dr. Travis E. Grotz

    Dr. Travis E. Grotz

    Minnesota mesothelioma surgeon at the Mayo Clinic of Rochester

Types of Minnesota Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma treatment plans vary by each patient depending on the stage of their cancer, their age, and their overall health.

Cancer treatment options available in Minnesota for mesothelioma include:

  • Surgery: Depending on their type and stage of mesothelioma, patients may be able to undergo surgery to remove tumors and increase their life expectancy.
  • Chemotherapy: Cancer-fighting chemotherapy drugs can be used as a primary treatment for mesothelioma or in combination with surgery or radiation therapy.
  • Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs are the newest type of mesothelioma treatment that uses the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy: High-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy can be administered as a primary treatment for mesothelioma or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.
  • Clinical trials: Several cancer centers and clinics in Minnesota offer clinical trials to help patients access emerging treatments or new combinations of treatments for mesothelioma.

Meeting with a specialist to discuss your treatment options? Use our free checklist to make sure you leave with all the information you need.

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  • Getting a second opinion

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Mesothelioma Patient Care Teams in Minnesota

Minnesota mesothelioma patient care teams are made up of multidisciplinary professionals who are dedicated to providing comprehensive medical treatment and support services.

These patient teams typically include:

  • Medical oncologists
  • Nurses
  • Nutritionists
  • Pathologists
  • Pulmonologists
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Social workers
  • Surgical oncologists
  • Thoracic surgeons

They work collaboratively to:

  • Develop personalized treatment plans
  • Offer symptom management and palliative care
  • Provide emotional support and cancer care education

Minnesota Mesothelioma Treatment Research and Clinical Trials

Minnesota has several top research centers conducting mesothelioma clinical trials. The goal of these trials is to identify more effective treatments that can improve patient survival.

Some of the top mesothelioma research centers in Minnesota include:

  • The Hormel Institute at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis
  • Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Rochester

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials in Minnesota

Several of these cancer research centers are enrolling patients in clinical trials for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma treatments being studied in Minnesota clinical trials include:

  • Chemotherapy With or Without Immunotherapy: This study is exploring the effectiveness of combining standard chemotherapy with immunotherapy to improve treatment outcomes for peritoneal mesothelioma.
  • Combination Immunotherapy as a Follow-Up Treatment: This phase II trial is investigating the two immunotherapies nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ramucirumab (Cyramza®) in patients who have previously received standard treatments.
  • Targeted Radiation With Surgery & Chemotherapy: Researchers are studying whether adding targeted radiation therapy to the standard surgery and chemotherapy protocol can extend survival in patients with early-stage pleural mesothelioma.

Contact our registered nurses for help accessing new treatments and clinical trials where you live.

Scope of Asbestos-Related Diseases in Minnesota

Between 1999 and 2017, Minnesota recorded a total of 6,318 asbestos-related deaths from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and non-mesothelioma lung cancer. The most deaths occurred in Hennepin County.

Some notable Minnesota asbestos sites include:

  • 3M Chemolite Plant in Cottage Grove
  • Barnes Riverside Shipyard in Duluth
  • Ford Motor Company in St. Paul
  • General Mills in Minneapolis
  • Goodyear Company in Rochester
  • Koch Oil Refinery in Pine Bend
  • Minneapolis Gas Light Company
  • Minntac Mines in Mountain Iron
  • Stauffer Chemical in Rochester
  • Twin Cities Arsenal in Minneapolis

Fortunately, residents diagnosed with mesothelioma have access to advanced treatment options through Minnesota’s state-of-the-art hospitals and cancer centers.

Cost of Minnesota Mesothelioma Treatment

On average, it costs well over $400,000 a year to treat mesothelioma, and insurance usually doesn’t cover everything.

Some potential expenses to consider include:

  • Blood work
  • Chemotherapy sessions
  • Hospital stays
  • Immunotherapy infusions
  • Medications
  • Multiple imaging scans
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery

The average cost above doesn’t include travel, transportation, or hotel stays during treatment.

Financial Assistance for Minnesota Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma financial assistance can help you afford quality care if you qualify. Learn more about how to get compensation from lawsuits, trust fund claims, and veterans benefits below.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma patients in Minnesota may pursue 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 partners have secured over $300 million for Minnesota mesothelioma victims, including:

  • $6.92 million for a secondhand exposure victim in Lakeland
  • $5.4 million for a pipefitter in Lake Elmo
  • $4.48 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Minnetonka
  • $3.86 million for a firefighter in Baxter
  • $2.78 million for a U.S. Navy veteran & mechanic in Rochester
  • $2.5 million to a project and construction manager in Eden Prair

Request a free case review today to see if our partner law firm can help you or a loved one get financial assistance.

Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
  • $1M to $1.4M average payout
  • No stress or upfront fees
  • Get money within 90 days

Get a Free Case Review

Shara Fisher
Shara Fisher Senior Paralegal
17+ years providing legal help to mesothelioma victims

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

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

Did You Know?

Over $30 billion is already set aside and currently available in asbestos trust funds.

We can help you determine where you may have been exposed to asbestos and file trust fund claims on your behalf. Contact us now to get started.

Veterans Benefits

Former service members with mesothelioma can apply for veterans benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover the costs of cancer treatment.

Eligible veterans may receive free or discounted medical care, disability compensation of nearly $4,000 a month, VA pensions, and other forms of financial assistance.

Get Help Finding Minnesota Mesothelioma Treatment

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

Mesothelioma Hope can connect you with doctors at top Minnesota 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.

Jenna TozziWritten by:

Director of Patient Advocacy

Jenna Tozzi, RN, is the Director of Patient Advocacy at Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to mesothelioma 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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References
  1. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab in Treating Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Malignant Mesothelioma (NCT02613299). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02613299
  2. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Versus Atezolizumab in Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (NCT05001880). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05001880
  3. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Mesothelin-Targeted CAR-T Cells in Mesothelin Expressing Cancers (NCT04301011). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04301011
  4. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab for Resectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (NCT05238883). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05238883
  5. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Treating Patients With Rare Tumors (NCT04158141). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04158141
  6. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Nivolumab With or Without Ipilimumab in Treating Patients With Metastatic Malignant Mesothelioma (NCT04213794). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04213794
  7. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Pembrolizumab and CRS-207 in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (NCT02613312). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02613312
  8. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Pembrolizumab in Subjects With Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (NCT02012699). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02012699
  9. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Phase II Study of Pemetrexed and Cisplatin With or Without Cisplatin Disulfiram Combination in Mesothelioma (NCT02648763). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02648763
  10. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Study of CRS-207, Pembrolizumab, and Chemotherapy in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (NCT03502746). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03502746
  11. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Study of Mesothelin-Targeted T-Cells for Advanced Mesothelioma (NCT00715611). Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00715611
  12. Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Asbestos deaths in Minnesota. Asbestos Nation. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/mn/
  13. Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Mesothelioma: Symptoms and causes. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mesothelioma/symptoms-causes/syc-20375022
  14. Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Mesothelioma Specialty Group. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/mesothelioma-specialty-group/overview/ovc-20474842
  15. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://www.va.gov/minneapolis-health-care/locations/minneapolis-va-medical-center/
  16. University of Minnesota. (n.d.). About Masonic Cancer Center. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://cancer.umn.edu/about-masonic-cancer-center
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Mesothelioma Hope is passionate about helping patients and families affected by this aggressive cancer. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary and isolating, but we’re here for you at every step. Hope is only a phone call away.

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Medical Guidance
  • Get a second opinion
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  • Access clinical trials
  • Improve your quality of life
Financial Assistance
  • Access $30 billion in trust funds
  • File a mesothelioma claim
  • Increase your VA benefits
  • Apply for travel grants
Supportive Care
  • Find a support group or peer mentor
  • Get help with daily tasks
  • Explore respite care options
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