Mary Hesdorffer, RN, MSN

Mesothelioma Nurse | Mesothelioma Patient Support & Treatment Guidance

Biography

Mary Hesdorffer is a nationally recognized mesothelioma nurse with more than 30 years of experience helping patients and families navigate mesothelioma diagnoses, treatment options, and clinical care. She is widely regarded as a leading mesothelioma expert, combining deep clinical knowledge with decades of patient advocacy and research involvement.

Mary has spent her career working closely with individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, developing specialized expertise in mesothelioma treatment planning, clinical trial access, and symptom management. She works directly with patients to help them understand their diagnosis, connect with experienced mesothelioma specialists, and explore the most appropriate treatment options.

She previously served as Executive Director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to mesothelioma research and patient support. In that role, she guided hundreds of mesothelioma patients and families, helping them access top cancer centers, emerging therapies, and clinical trials across the United States.

Mary has also contributed extensively to mesothelioma research. She has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on mesothelioma treatment and management and has collaborated with leading institutions, including the National Cancer Institute, on national consensus reports that shape clinical standards of care. She is co-editor of Caring for Patients with Mesothelioma, a key resource on survivorship and long-term care, and co-author of 100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma alongside Harvey Pass and Joseph Belluck.

In addition to her clinical and research work, Mary is a recognized advocate for mesothelioma patients nationwide. She has testified before Congress on the link between asbestos exposure, military service, and mesothelioma, supporting increased federal funding for research through programs such as the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.

At Belluck Law, Mary provides mesothelioma patient support and guidance, helping clients and their families better understand their diagnosis, evaluate treatment options, and access leading mesothelioma doctors and clinical trials. Her work ensures that patients are informed, supported, and connected to the best possible care during a critical time.

Published Works

Examples of published research (please search PubMed for the full list).

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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.