The Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center is located at the University of California, San Diego. Founded in 1979, the Moores UCSD Cancer Center is one of just 39 centers in the United States to hold a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation conducting basic and clinical cancer research, providing advanced patient care and serving the community through outreach and education programs.

Founded in 1960. Today, UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) has established an international reputation for developing new cancer therapies, providing the best in experimental and traditional treatments, and expertly guiding and training the next generation of medical researchers.

The USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is a leader in cancer research, with nearly 200 members investigating the complex origins and progression of cancer, developing prevention strategies and searching for cures. USC/Norris is designated by the National Cancer Institute as one of the nation's 39 comprehensive cancer centers.

This guide will help you to look for a cancer treatment clinical trial that might benefit you. It is not intended to provide medical advice. You, your health care team, and your loved ones are in the best position to decide whether a clinical trial is right for you. This guide will help you to: gather the information you need to begin your search for a clinical trial, identify sources of clinical trial listings, learn about clinical trials that may be of benefit to you, ask questions that will help you decide whether or not to participate in a particular trial.

General Information, Cellular Classification, Stage Information (localized malignant mesothelioma, advanced malignant mesothelioma), Treatment Option Overview, Localized Malignant Mesothelioma (stage I), Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma (stages II, III, and IV), Recurrent Malignant Mesothelioma. (This information is intended for use by doctors and other health care professionals).

Chrysotile mesothelioma is a form of peritoneal mesothelioma. It is a specific cancer of the abdomen and is caused by exposure to asbestos. When small chrysotile fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the lung, they can cause a mesothelioma that manifests itself in the peritoneum, particularly the lining that surrounds the stomach. The tumors that develop on the lining that surrounds the stomach limit the space available for the stomach to expand and move.

The most common type of mesothelioma is the Pleural Mesothelioma. The pleura is a thin membrane found between the lungs and the chest cavity. Another form of mesothelioma is the Peritoneal Mesothelioma. The peritoneum is the membrane that encloses the organs of the abdomen. While peritoneal mesotheliomas are less common than pleural mesotheliomas, they tend to be more invasive, and thus result in a shorter life expectancy for the patient.

The Division of Research Safety (DRS) is committed to assisting campus units in identifying and managing biological, chemical, and radiological hazards in order to reduce the risk of harm to the campus community and the environment.

Abdominal cancers of the peritoneum may be mesothelioma which develops in the tissue lining the abdominal cavity. Though some cases of abdominal mesothelioma are believed to have resulted from radiation poisoning, the vast majority of incidents of abdominal mesothelioma have been caused by asbestos exposure. Typically abdominal mesothelioma appears sooner 30 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. When abdominal or peritoneal mesothelioma does appear after its 'incubation', the most common symptoms are shortness of breath, chest and/or abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, coughing, and an unusual swelling of the abdomen.

The Treatment of Peritoneal Mesotheliomas is even more problematic; until recently no consistent treatment was available. At our institution, peritoneal mesotheliomas have been managed in the experimental setting with combined modality treatment consisting of extensive (usually not complete) debulking surgery, followed by intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy followed in turn by whole abdominal radiation therapy. Current Treatment & Experimental Treatment Trials at the Columbia University - Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.