Belluck Law hires nurse to its mesothelioma and lung cancer team to help its clients get the best medical treatment
Belluck Law, LLP announces the establishment of wraparound services for its mesothelioma and lung cancer clients, led by renowned mesothelioma expert nurse Mary Hesdorffer, APRN.
About Mary Hesdorffer, Mesothelioma Nurse
Table of Contents
Mary Hesdorffer, RN, MSN is a U.S.-based nurse and well-known expert and advocate in the mesothelioma community. With over 30 years of experience working with mesothelioma patients, she has also contributed to the scientific field through dozens of published studies. As Executive Director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, she helped guide hundreds of mesothelioma patients and families through complex treatment information and decisions.
“We know from research that when mesothelioma patients receive care from experienced physicians, they experience better outcomes. Offering guidance and support to our clients makes sense and is the right thing to do,” said Joe Belluck, the founding partner of Belluck Law and a long-term supporter of mesothelioma research.
Clinical background
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer affecting approximately 2,000 to 2,500 Americans each year. Mary Hesodorffer’s three decades of experience working exclusively with mesothelioma patients, along with her involvement in clinical trial design, patient access, and symptom and disease management, make her highly specialized in this difficult-to-treat cancer.
Research and academic contributions
Mary Hesdorffer has contributed to the scientific field by:
- Co-authoring peer-reviewed medical papers on mesothelioma treatment and management published in major medical journals;
- Participating in major consensus reports in collaboration with institutions like the National Cancer Institute;
- Co-editing and authoring the book Caring for Patients with Mesothelioma, which focuses on long-term care and survivorship;
- Co-authoring the best-selling book 100 Questions & Answers about Mesothelioma with Dr. Harvery Pass and Joseph Belluck, Esq.
Leadership at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
Under Mary Hesdorffer’s leadership, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation:
- Funded millions of dollars in peer-reviewed research
- Connected patients with top specialists and clinical trials
- Elevated national awareness of the disease through media and public speaking engagements
Advocacy on Capitol Hill
Ms. Hesdorffer has testified before Congress on the link between mesothelioma and military service, advocating for dedicated federal research funding for this historically underfunded cancer. She has successfully advocated for the Congressionally Directed Medical and Cancer Research Programs’ funding that has so far resulted in nearly $30 million directed toward mesothelioma research.
“We are pleased that our clients can benefit from this depth of experience and knowledge in mesothelioma care,” added Mr. Belluck.
Published Research
Ms. Hesdorffer has authored and co-authored dozens of studies, all available for viewing in the PubMed directory. We list a few below:
- Tsao AS, Lindwasser OW, Adjei AA, Adusumilli PS, Beyers ML, Blumenthal GM, Bueno R, Burt BM, Carbone M, Dahlberg SE, de Perrot M, Fennell DA, Friedberg J, Gill RR, Gomez DR, Harpole DH Jr, Hassan R, Hesdorffer M, Hirsch FR, Hmeljak J, Kindler HL, Korn EL, Liu G, Mansfield AS, Nowak AK, Pass HI, Peikert T, Rimner A, Robinson BWS, Rosenzweig KE, Rusch VW, Salgia R, Sepesi B, Simone CB 2nd, Sridhara R, Szlosarek P, Taioli E, Tsao MS, Yang H, Zauderer MG, Malik SM. Current and Future Management of Malignant Mesothelioma: A Consensus Report from the National Cancer Institute Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, and Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. J Thorac Oncol. 2018 Nov;13(11):1655-1667. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2018.08.2036. Epub 2018 Sep 25. PMID: 30266660.
- Kindler HL, Ismaila N, Armato SG 3rd, Bueno R, Hesdorffer M, Jahan T, Jones CM, Miettinen M, Pass H, Rimner A, Rusch V, Sterman D, Thomas A, Hassan R. Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2018 May 1;36(13):1343-1373. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2017.76.6394. Epub 2018 Jan 18. PMID: 29346042; PMCID: PMC8058628.
- Gomez DR, Rimner A, Simone CB 2nd, Cho BCJ, de Perrot M, Adjei AA, Bueno R, Gill RR, Harpole DH Jr, Hesdorffer M, Hirsch FR, Jackson AA, Pass HI, Rice DC, Rusch VW, Tsao AS, Yorke E, Rosenzweig K. The Use of Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Expert Opinion from the National Cancer Institute Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, and Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. J Thorac Oncol. 2019 Jul;14(7):1172-1183. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2019.03.030. Epub 2019 May 22. PMID: 31125736.
- Tsao MS, Carbone M, Galateau-Salle F, Moreira AL, Nicholson AG, Roden AC, Adjei AA, Aubry MC, Fennell DA, Gomez D, Harpole D, Hesdorffer M, Hirsch FR, Liu G, Malik S, Nowak A, Peikert T, Salgia R, Szlosarek P, Taioli E, Yang H, Tsao A, Mansfield AS. Pathologic Considerations and Standardization in Mesothelioma Clinical Trials. J Thorac Oncol. 2019 Oct;14(10):1704-1717. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2019.06.020. Epub 2019 Jun 28. PMID: 31260832.
- Gill RR, Tsao AS, Kindler HL, Richards WG, Armato SG 3rd, Francis RJ, Gomez DR, Dahlberg S, Rimner A, Simone CB 2nd, de Perrot M, Blumenthal G, Adjei AA, Bueno R, Harpole DH Jr, Hesdorffer M, Hirsch FR, Pass HI, Yorke E, Rosenzweig K, Burt B, Fennell DA, Lindwasser W, Malik S, Peikert T, Mansfield AS, Salgia R, Yang H, Rusch VW, Nowak AK. Radiologic Considerations and Standardization of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Imaging Within Clinical Trials: Consensus Statement from the NCI Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee – International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer – Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Clinical Trials Planning Meeting. J Thorac Oncol. 2019 Oct;14(10):1718-1731. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2019.08.012. Epub 2019 Aug 27. PMID: 31470129.
- Cummings KJ, Becich MJ, Blackley DJ, Deapen D, Harrison R, Hassan R, Henley SJ, Hesdorffer M, Horton DK, Mazurek JM, Pass HI, Taioli E, Wu XC, Zauderer MG, Weissman DN. Workshop summary: Potential usefulness and feasibility of a US National Mesothelioma Registry. Am J Ind Med. 2020 Feb;63(2):105-114. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23062. Epub 2019 Nov 19. PMID: 31743489; PMCID: PMC7427840.
- Borczuk AC, Taub RN, Hesdorffer M, Hibshoosh H, Chabot JA, Keohan ML, Alsberry R, Alexis D, Powell CA. P16 loss and mitotic activity predict poor survival in patients with peritoneal malignant mesothelioma. Clin Cancer Res. 2005 May 1;11(9):3303-8. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-04-1884. PMID: 15867227.
- Sugarbaker PH, Turaga KK, Alexander HR Jr, Deraco M, Hesdorffer M. Management of Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma Using Cytoreductive Surgery and Perioperative Chemotherapy. J Oncol Pract. 2016 Oct;12(10):928-935. doi: 10.1200/JOP.2016.011908. PMID: 27858561.
- Bates GE, Hashmi AK, Bressler T, Zajac J, Hesdorffer M, Taub RN. Approach to offering remote support to mesothelioma patients: the mesothelioma survivor project. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2016 Jun;5(3):216-8. doi: 10.21037/tlcr.2016.05.05. PMID: 27413697; PMCID: PMC4931139.
- Kluger MD, Taub RN, Hesdorffer M, Jin Z, Chabot JA. Two-stage operative cytoreduction and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: Operative morbidity and mortality in phase I and II trials. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2010;36(10):997-1003. doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2010.07.001
- Faig J, Howard S, Levine EA, Casselman G, Hesdorffer M, Ohar JA. Changing pattern in malignant mesothelioma survival. Transl Oncol. 2015;8(1):35-39. doi:10.1016/j.tranon.2014.12.002
- Hesdorffer ME, Chabot JA, Keohan ML, et al. Combined resection, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and whole abdominal radiation for the treatment of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Am J Clin Oncol. 2008;31(1):49-54. doi:10.1097/COC.0b013e3180684181
- Hesdorffer ME, Chabot J, DeRosa C, Taub R. Peritoneal mesothelioma. Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2008 Jun;9(2-3):180-90. doi: 10.1007/s11864-008-0072-2. Epub 2008 Oct 8. PMID: 18841478.
