Menu
01. History

History of The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center

Established in 1941, the Ochsner Clinic was named for one of its five founders, Dr. Alton Ochsner, who discovered the link between smoking and lung cancer. The founders’ intent to create a group practice similar to those of the Mayo and Cleveland Clinics met with some initial resistance, but the clinic opened for business in 1942. In 1954, a new facility, the Ochsner Foundation Hospital, was completed which included residential facilities for nurse and physician trainees. A research building followed in 1959.

The Ochsner Cancer Institute was founded in 1981 and combines top-level clinical care and research programs in the largest clinical trials network in Louisiana and Mississippi. Phase I of the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center, a state-of-the-art treatment facility, was completed in 2010 with Phase II following shortly after.

02. Mesothelioma Care

Mesothelioma Care at The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center

The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center treats a variety of cancers. They have a specific Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Clinic that combines their Thoracic Medical, Thoracic Surgery, Pulmonary Medicine and Radiation Oncology departments to treat lung disorders. This includes lung cancer, mesothelioma, thoracic malignancies and pleural effusions. The Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Clinic is located at The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner Medical Center.

The Cancer Center medical team prides itself on using lung-sparing surgeries in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, along with the latest in cancer imaging, robotic surgeries, image-guided radiation therapy and targeted chemotherapy. Clinical trials may also allow eligible patients to pursue experimental treatments.

For mesothelioma patients that are interested in pursuing treatment at The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center, there are nurse coordinators available to set up appointments and answer any questions that patients or family members might have.

03. Specializations

The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center Specializations

  • Lung cancer
  • Pleural effusions
  • Pleural mesothelioma
  • Radiation therapy
  • Robotic surgeries
  • Targeted Chemotherapy
04. Accreditations

The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center Accreditations

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center Designation
  • U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital