Schiffman Adds Peritoneal Mesothelioma Expertise to Allegheny

The Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh didn't have to look far in 2014 to recruit one of the country's talented young surgeons, skilled enough to offer technically advanced care for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. Surgical oncologist Dr. Suzanne Schiffman was just across town. Schiffman, an expert in complex abdominal malignancies, recently completed her dual fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). She served previously as chief administrative resident at the University of Louisville. She was a natural choice and another key component today in the recent resurgence of Allegheny, which is rising to national prominence as a specialty center for malignant mesothelioma. Allegheny also hired renowned thoracic surgeon and pleural mesothelioma specialist Dr. Rodney Landreneau, who had worked at UPMC for more than 20 years. Mesothelioma is the rare, aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It is diagnosed in an estimated 3,000 Americans annually. Schiffman works with peritoneal mesothelioma, which often begins in the lining of the abdomen. It accounts for approximately 15 percent of all mesothelioma cases. There is no cure. It typically comes with a grim prognosis, but there are treatments today at a handful of specialty centers, such as Allegheny, that can extend lives significantly. “I tell my patients, 'you're not a statistic. This is not the time to give up,'" Schiffman told Asbestos.com." These types of treatments c...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Treatment & Doctors Source Type: news