{"id":901,"date":"2020-04-17T13:55:48","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T17:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?page_id=901"},"modified":"2025-12-23T15:08:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T20:08:54","slug":"va-puget-sound","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/cancer-centers\/va-puget-sound\/","title":{"rendered":"VA Puget Sound Health Care System"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>About VA Puget Sound<\/h2>\n<p>The Puget Sound VA Hospital treats <a href=\"\/veterans\/\">veterans with mesothelioma<\/a> living in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and other nearby areas of the Pacific Northwest.<\/p>\n<p>Around 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year, and <strong>one-third of those are U.S. military veterans.<\/strong>\u00a0 Veterans in Washington can find top mesothelioma doctors through the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cOur health care teams are deeply experienced and guided by the needs of veterans, their families, and caregivers.\u201d<br \/>\n\u2013 VA Puget Sound Health Care System<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The Puget Sound VA also partners with the University of Washington School of Medicine to train future doctors on how to treat <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/\">mesothelioma cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Get connected with top doctors at the Puget Sound VA and other hospitals in the Pacific Northwest with our <strong>Free Doctor Match<\/strong> service.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><div id=\"25223\" class=\"one-off-25223 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"25223\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-25223{margin:60px auto}.one-off-25223 a{box-shadow:0 4px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.25);display:block;background:#e4f4f6;padding:20px 25px 200px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;position:relative;overflow:hidden;max-width:360px;margin:0 auto}.one-off-25223 a::before{background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50% 50% 0 0;content:'';position:absolute;bottom:0;height:19%;width:135%;left:-60px;z-index:0}.one-off-25223 .vque-content,.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{z-index:1;position:relative}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{width:100%;position:absolute;left:-10px;bottom:-15px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:absolute;bottom:0;width:100%;max-width:unset;left:0}.one-off-25223 .heading{font-size:27px;line-height:33px;text-align:center;display:block;max-width:340px;margin:5px auto 25px}.one-off-25223 ul{list-style:none;margin:-10px auto 22px;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:26px}.one-off-25223 ul li{margin:0 0 15px;position:relative;padding-left:35px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{font-family:\"mesohope\"!important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;content:\"\\e904\";background:#0FAEBF;width:21px;height:21px;display:block;position:absolute;left:0;top:4px;border-radius:50%;color:#fff;font-size:11px;text-align:center;line-height:21px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:center}.one-off-25223 .button{padding:12px 16px;display:block}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-25223 a{max-width:620px;padding:30px 30px 35px;border-radius:0 0 4px 4px}.one-off-25223 a::before{border-radius:50%;height:155%;width:150%;right:-550px;left:unset;bottom:-295px}.one-off-25223 .heading{text-align:left;margin:2px 0 25px;max-width:unset;font-size:24px}.one-off-25223 ul{margin:-7px 0 30px;max-width:365px;line-height:23px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{top:1px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{max-width:unset;position:absolute;right:-25px;bottom:-35px;margin:0 0 -2px;left:unset;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:relative;bottom:0;left:0;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .button{display:inline-block;padding:14px 25px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:left}}@media screen and (min-width:1150px){.one-off-25223 a{padding:30px}}<\/style><a href=\"\/get-matched\/\" title=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor<\/strong>\r\n        <ul>\r\n            <li>Find top specialists near you<\/li>\r\n            <li>Seek compensation for travel & care<\/li>\r\n            <li>Get medical guidance<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Matched Now\">Get Matched Now<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Doctors-ad.png\" alt=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"lazyload\" ><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/p>\n<h2>Mesothelioma Treatments Available at VA Puget Sound<\/h2>\n<p>Care at VA Puget Sound Health Care System is personalized to each patient, allowing them to get the best mesothelioma treatment in Washington state.<\/p>\n<p>Learn about the different treatments offered at VA Puget Sound below.<\/p>\n<h3>Surgery<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/\">Mesothelioma surgery<\/a> involves the removal of tumors or other cancerous tissues. It\u2019s often combined with other treatments for the best results.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Surgical procedures available at VA Puget Sound include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)<\/li>\n<li>Pleurectomy with decortication (P\/D)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Both of these surgeries have been proven to increase the life expectancy of patients diagnosed with <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/\">pleural mesothelioma<\/a> (cancer of the lung lining).<\/p>\n<h3>Chemotherapy<\/h3>\n<p>Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for mesothelioma and involves fighting cancer with powerful drugs that are administered either orally or through an IV (intravenously).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/treatment\/chemotherapy\/\">Mesothelioma chemotherapy<\/a> can be used as a standalone treatment, but it\u2019s often combined with surgery and immunotherapy to be more effective.<\/p>\n<h3>Immunotherapy<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/treatment\/immunotherapy\/\">Immunotherapy<\/a> strengthens the body\u2019s natural defense system to identify and attack cancer cells. The immunotherapy drugs Opdivo\u00ae, Yervoy\u00ae, and Keytruda\u00ae have been approved to treat patients with pleural mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<div class=\"callout-shortcode\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.callout-shortcode{background:#EDF8F9;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 24px;margin:40px 0;max-width:860px;position:relative}.callout-shortcode:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #EDF8F9 100%)}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{color:#100134;font-size:22px;display:block;margin:0 0 15px}.callout-shortcode:first-child{margin-top:0}.callout-shortcode:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:20px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding-top:17px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:74px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{left:22px;position:absolute;top:20px;width:59px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background:#fff url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/mh-icon-65.png);background-position:center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:70%;border-radius:30px;bottom:-10px;content:\"\";display:block;height:30px;position:absolute;right:-10px;width:30px}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.callout-shortcode{padding:25px 25px 25px 34px}.callout-shortcode .callout-shortcode-heading{font-size:24px}.callout-shortcode .img-wrap{margin-bottom:0}.callout-shortcode.has-img{min-height:170px;padding-left:175px}.callout-shortcode.has-img .img-wrap{position:absolute;left:29px;top:25px;width:119px}.callout-shortcode.hope.has-img{padding-left:170px}.callout-shortcode.hope>strong{padding:0}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap{width:109px}.callout-shortcode.hope .img-wrap:before{background-size:66%;bottom:-15px;height:42px;width:42px}}<\/style><div class=\"content\"><p>Download our <a href=\"\/immunotherapy-guide\/\">Free Immunotherapy Guide<\/a> to learn more about this important new treatment and what to expect if you qualify.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h3>Radiation<\/h3>\n<p>Radiation is used in a similar way as chemotherapy since it\u2019s often administered before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/treatment\/radiation\/\">Radiation therapy<\/a> uses high-energy radiation beams and typically has fewer side effects than chemotherapy as a result.<\/p>\n<h3>Clinical Trials<\/h3>\n<p>VA Puget Sound also has the fourth-largest VA research and development program in the country. Eligible veterans interested in accessing new treatments can participate in <a href=\"\/treatment\/clinical-trials\/\">clinical trials<\/a> at the Puget Sound VA hospitals in Seattle and American Lake.<\/p>\n<h2>Mesothelioma Doctors and Patient Care Team<\/h2>\n<p>As one of the top VA treatment centers for mesothelioma, the VA Puget Sound Health Care System is home to several board-certified oncologists (cancer doctors) and surgeons.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Kathleen S. Berfield is the chief of thoracic surgery and oversees the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases of the chest.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;I value and place a lot of importance on integrity and attention to detail. I\u2019ve been told I have a very high bar in terms of standards but I believe it goes hand in hand with being a good surgeon. You have to stay on top of everything.&#8221;<br \/>\n\u2013 Dr. Kathleen S. Berfield, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Chief of Thoracic Surgery<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Other Puget Sound VA mesothelioma specialists include radiation oncologist Dr. Tony Quang and thoracic oncologist Dr. Aaron M. Cheng.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The mesothelioma care team also includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class='columns-2'>\n<li>Case managers<\/li>\n<li>Mental health professionals<\/li>\n<li>Nurses<\/li>\n<li>Psychologists<\/li>\n<li>Social workers<\/li>\n<li>Spiritual advisors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<p>The mesothelioma care team at VA Puget Sound Health Care System works hard to ensure all veterans and their families are comfortable and supported at every step of the treatment process.<\/p>\n<p>Download our <strong>Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist<\/strong> to help you prepare for conversations with your medical team about treatment.<\/p>\n<div data-vqueid=\"18575\" class=\"widget widget_oscar-vque outline image-left has-img\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"outline\">.widget_oscar-vque.outline{margin:60px auto;max-width:315px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline:first-child{margin-top:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a{border:1px solid #E6E7EC;padding:20px;box-shadow:0 20px 20px rgba(34,34,34,0.03);border-radius:10px;color:#383441;display:block;text-decoration:none}.widget_oscar-vque.outline img{margin:0 auto 20px;max-width:180px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline .vque-content{color:#383441;font-size:16px;text-align:center}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.subheading{color:#100134;display:block;line-height:1;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:5px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.heading{color:#100134;font-size:20px;display:block;margin:0 0 20px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul{font-size:16px;text-align:left;list-style:none;max-width:265px;margin:15px auto 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul li{padding-left:28px;margin-bottom:10px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul li:before{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;font-display:swap;speak:none;color:#fff;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e904\";border:none;position:absolute;left:0;top:3px;background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:20px;line-height:20px;text-align:center;font-size:12px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.button.arrow{width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a{position:relative;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #fff 100%)}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.widget_oscar-vque.outline{max-width:620px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline img{max-width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a{padding:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a>div{display:block;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:flex-end;flex-direction:row-reverse}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a>div>div{width:41%}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a .vque-content{width:59%;padding:30px;text-align:left}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.subheading{font-size:16px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.heading{font-size:24px;margin:0 0 13px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul{max-width:none}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.button.arrow{width:auto}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div{display:block;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div>div{float:left}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div>div:first-child{width:27%;padding:30px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div>div.vque-content{width:73%;padding-left:0;color:#383441}}<\/style><a href=\"\/doctor-questions\/\" title=\"Free Download: 14 Questions to Ask\u00a0Your Doctor\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Free Download: 14 Questions to Ask\u00a0Your Doctor Ad\" data-desktop-image=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/questions-to-ask-doctor-ipad.png\"><div><div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"95\" height=\"144\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/questions-to-ask-doctor-ipad.png\" class=\"attachment-Medium size-Medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"14 Questions to Ask Your Doctor packet\" \/><\/div><div class=\"vque-content\"><strong class=\"heading\">Free Download: 14 Questions to Ask\u00a0Your Doctor<\/strong><ul>\n<li>Preparing for treatment<\/li>\n<li>Finding clinical trials<\/li>\n<li>Getting a second opinion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"button yellow arrow\" title=\"Get Your Free Download\">Get Your Free Download<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>VA Puget Sound Health Care System Locations<\/h2>\n<p>There are two main VA hospital locations in Puget Sound:<\/p>\n<p><strong>American Lake VA Medical Center<\/strong><br \/>\n9600 Veterans Drive Southwest<br \/>\nTacoma, WA 98493<br \/>\n(800) 329-8387<\/p>\n<p><strong>Seattle VA Medical Center<\/strong><br \/>\n1660 South Columbian Way<br \/>\nSeattle, WA 98108<br \/>\n(800) 329-8387<\/p>\n<p>These facilities are also referred to as the American Lake Division and the Seattle Division, respectively.<\/p>\n<h3>VA Puget Sound Health Care Clinics<\/h3>\n<p>In addition to the two main Puget Sound VA hospital locations, there are several smaller VA clinics that offer primary care, physical therapy, medications, and other services.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Clinics can be found in the following Washington cities:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class='columns-2'>\n<li>Edmonds<\/li>\n<li>Everett<\/li>\n<li>Mount Vernon<\/li>\n<li>Olympia<\/li>\n<li>Port Angeles<\/li>\n<li>Puyallup<\/li>\n<li>Silverdale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<div class=\"did-you-know icon-bell\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.did-you-know{background:#F3F2F0;border-radius:10px;margin:40px 0;padding:20px 20px 20px 80px;position:relative}.did-you-know:before{position:absolute;left:20px;top:20px;width:45px;height:45px;background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50px;color:#fff;text-align:center;line-height:45px;font-size:27px}.did-you-know .heading{font-size:24px;color:#100134;padding:10px 0;display:block;margin:0 0 5px}.did-you-know h2,.did-you-know .h2,.did-you-know h3,.did-you-know .h3{font-size:24px;line-height:1.14}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.did-you-know{padding:25px 25px 25px 90px}.did-you-know:before{left:25px;top:25px}.did-you-know .heading{padding:8px 0}.did-you-know h2,.did-you-know .h2,.did-you-know h3,.did-you-know .h3{font-size:24px;line-height:1.14}}<\/style><strong class=\"heading\">Did You Know?<\/strong><p>Mesothelioma Hope can help connect you with a local VA clinic and see if you\u2019re eligible for disability benefits to help pay for your medical care and daily expenses.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">Contact us anytime<\/a> to see how we can help you find top cancer centers and pursue compensation for yourself or a loved one.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Patient Care Philosophy<\/h2>\n<p>The mesothelioma care approach at VA Puget Sound Health Care System is designed to help patients at every step of their journey, from the initial diagnosis through treatment and recovery.<\/p>\n<h3>Individualized Treatment<\/h3>\n<p>Every mesothelioma patient is unique, with their own individual story and care needs. With this in mind, mesothelioma patients at VA Puget Sound Health Care System are given individualized treatment plans.<\/p>\n<p>Each person\u2019s treatment plan is developed based on their age, overall health, the type and <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/stages\/\">stage of their mesothelioma<\/a>, their comfort level, and other key factors.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cVA Puget Sound has a reputation for excellence, innovation and extraordinary care for veterans \u2014 our nation\u2019s heroes.\u201d<br \/>\n\u2013 VA Puget Sound Health Care System<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Compassionate Support<\/h3>\n<p>Mesothelioma care at VA Puget Sound is both integrative and supportive, no matter how far advanced a patient\u2019s cancer is.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to life-extending treatments, VA Puget Sound offers <a href=\"\/treatment\/palliative\/\">palliative care<\/a> to help patients manage their symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It also provides services like:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acupuncture for natural pain management<\/li>\n<li>Caregiver support<\/li>\n<li>Meditation and mindfulness training<\/li>\n<li>Yoga, tai chi, and qi gong classes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Get Mesothelioma Treatment at VA Puget Sound<\/h2>\n<p>Every veteran with mesothelioma deserves the best treatment and cancer care available. Regardless of the type of care you or your loved one may need, it may be available within the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.<\/p>\n<p>VA Puget Sound works closely with Veteran Service Organization (VSO) partners and briefs VSO representatives on changes that affect veterans\u2019 benefits and medical care.<\/p>\n<p>We can help connect you with mesothelioma specialists at this VA hospital and other top treatment centers in your area. Call us now at <a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a> or fill out our <a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">contact form<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About VA Puget Sound The Puget Sound VA Hospital treats veterans with mesothelioma living in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and other nearby areas of the Pacific Northwest. Around 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year, and one-third of those are U.S. military veterans.\u00a0 Veterans in Washington can find top mesothelioma doctors through the VA&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":20752,"parent":153,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/template-medical-facility.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-901","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/901\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}