AdventHealth Orlando

Mesothelioma Care at AdventHealth Cancer Institute Led by DaSilva

The Mesothelioma International Treatment Program at AdventHealth Orlando is under the leadership of thoracic surgeon Dr. Marcelo DaSilva. He spent more than a decade in Boston at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, working alongside legendary mesothelioma specialist Dr. David Sugarbaker.

DaSilva arrived in Central Florida in 2019.

“I’ve been energized by this opportunity, coming to Orlando to build and grow something here that does not exist in Florida for mesothelioma patients,” DaSilva said. “Our goal is to bring the same kind of quality, intensity and energy in care that Dr. Sugarbaker had in Boston.”

The institute brings together mesothelioma specialists in surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy to provide a multidisciplinary approach to mesothelioma treatment, along with an unrivaled emphasis on whole-person care.

AdventHealth Cancer Institute Reaches Elite Status

AdventHealth Cancer Institute in Orlando, formerly known as Florida Hospital, has a thoracic team of proven lung and esophageal cancer specialists prepared to treat body, mind and spirit — a combination that has carried it to elite status in the medical field.

AdventHealth earned its place on the annual U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Hospital and High Performing Hospital rankings by regularly surpassing national averages for cancer-care results.

There is specialized care for myriad diseases, including extensive programs for blood, brain and spine, digestive tract, gynecological, head/neck/skin, pediatric, urological and lung and esophageal cancers.

Advent Health Cancer Institute Partners with Moffitt Cancer Center

AdventHealth Orlando works closely with nearby AdventHealth Celebration, which has been recognized for its technological breakthroughs and clinical innovations in fighting tough-to-treat cancers, including mesothelioma.

Together, they have joined forces with the highly regarded Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, an official partnership that will expand clinical research and advance cancer care throughout Florida.

The partnership will include the sharing of clinical trials between the two Florida cities, providing patients with more opportunities for world-class care and potential treatment breakthroughs, while staying closer to home.

Much of that research will focus on malignant hematology and solid tumor malignancies such as pleural mesothelioma. There also will be an emphasis on early-stage cancer clinical trials in the hope of developing new treatments.

The joint venture will include a shared cancer research agenda that could accelerate new discoveries.

High Volume of Patients Served by AdventHealth Cancer Institute

AdventHealth is one of 12 centers in the country to receive the prestigious American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Clinical Trials Participation Award.

The cancer institute treats more newly diagnosed cancer patients than any other health care system in Florida.

More than 8,000 cancer surgeries are performed annually by the AdventHealth team, which includes more than 200 surgical oncologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists.

The cancer services range from disease prevention to treatment and rehabilitation.

Mesothelioma Program Is Multidisciplinary

The mesothelioma program includes doctors with extensive experience across several disciplines. It offers intraoperative heated chemotherapy, intraoperative radiation and robotic surgery to help fight this tough-to-treat cancer.

There are respiratory rehabilitation services and a holistic approach that focuses on both the mental and physical well-being of each patient. These services are not often found at cancer centers.

Mesothelioma patients are seeing a program with multiple options and opportunities. A nutritionist is there to develop specialized diets and a physical therapist to help invigorate a patient’s natural healing capabilities.

“AdventHealth already had excellence in those fields, but our goal was to bring them all under one umbrella, to build them into a mesothelioma program of excellence,” DaSilva said. “We have the resources to make it happen here.”

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials at AdventHealth Cancer Institute