Rush University Cancer Center

Rush University: A Comprehensive Cancer Facility

Rush University Cancer Center in Chicago is one of the country’s most comprehensive cancer centers, guiding patients and their families every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment to recovery.

As a leading academic health system, Rush University has specialized teams providing personalized, multidisciplinary care with the most technically advanced treatments available anywhere.

Targeted therapies, minimally invasive surgical options and novel immunotherapy drugs are being used at Rush to combat cancer. Surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and pulmonologists work together to find the most optimal treatment for each patient.

Mesothelioma Experience at Rush University

Rush University Cancer Center has experience in treating mesothelioma, the rare and aggressive malignancy most often caused by exposure to asbestos.

Containing it effectively requires a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together pulmonologists and medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, all of whom meet to determine the best course of action for the individual patient.

The team at Rush includes surgical oncologist Dr. Sam Pappas, medical oncologists Dr. Marta Batus and Dr. Philip Bonomi and radiation oncologist Dr. Gaurav Marwaha.

Pappas is one of a select number of surgeons in the country using the combination of cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, known as HIPEC, for patients with mesothelioma in the stomach.

HIPEC in recent years has dramatically improved mesothelioma treatment, allowing patients to live five to 10 years and beyond following diagnosis.

Other potential treatments for mesothelioma include:

• Immunotherapy, which sparks a patient’s own immune system to kill cancer cells
• Chemotherapy and/or radiation, which can be used in combination to slow the growth of tumors and relieve pain
• Surgery, either aggressive and potentially curative, or minimally invasive, which is used to alleviate symptoms
• Oxygen, which can improve breathing problems

Excellence in Care Throughout Rush University Medical Center

Rush University Medical Center, which is home to the cancer center, was given a spot on the prestigious U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll in 2020, a recognition of its elite status.

The excellence in care goes well beyond the cancer center. It was the No. 1 ranked facility in the state for orthopedics (5th nationally), nephrology (11th nationally) and neurology and neurosurgery (4th nationally).

Rush was recognized also as high performing in lung and colon cancer surgery, heart bypass surgery and aortic valve surgery. 

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials at Rush University Cancer Center

• A phase II clinical trial studying the use of the immunotherapy combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab, also known by brand names Opdivo and Yervoy, respectively, for patients with rare solid tumors such as mesothelioma.
• A phase II clinical trial measuring the response rate of milataxel in patients with mesothelioma whose disease has progressed following previous chemotherapy.