Abraham Lebenthal M.D. is a general thoracic surgeon trained at the Brigham and Women's Hospital division of thoracic surgery under leadership of Dr David Sugarbaker, with expertise in mesothelioma surgery.
Abraham Lebenthal, MD, MHA
As a veteran, he saw a unique opportunity to serve a community that has served this country in the past. The West Roxbury VA (WXVA) is a unique teaching hospital, affiliated with world-class universities (Harvard and Boston University). It is a true center of excellence within the VA system. After proper staging, we offer Tri-modal therapy including: surgery (extra pleural pneumonectomy vs. pleurectomy), chemotherapy and radiation. All patients are reviewed at our multidisciplinary tumor board. We are proud to treat veterans from across the USA (the West Coast, to Florida, the Midwest, and of course the Northeast). They have bult a reputation as a unique center of excellence in the VA system for the treatment of mesothelioma. They routinely perform these complex operations with two attending thoracic surgeons. Doctors Abraham Lebenthal and Daniel Cohen were trained at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, the nations leading institution in the surgical treatment of mesothelioma. The other system in placethat enables patients from out of region to receive cutting edge therapy for there mesothelioma.
If you are a veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and would like to stay within the VA system, we would love to welcome you to our center of excellence. We can help cut through the red tape and facilitate a visit to our VA health center.
If you wish you may contact Dr. Lebenthal's nurse Lynne Santangelo directly at 857-203-6202.
How to Set Up an Appointment with the West Roxbury VA
In order for a veteran to be seen at our VA the veteran needs to have VA privileges for healthcare. After a suspected diagnosis of mesothelioma, we can be contacted to review all patient information. Please contact us at 1 (800) 900-1647 or complete the form. After a prescreening, if appropriate, we will recommend that the veteran obtain a consultation from his local PCP and see us for initial consultation. Multiple organizations can help with travel assistance and lodging. After evaluation, a treatment plan is formulated. If needed, surgery can be performed at our facility. Chemotherapy, as well as radiation therapy, can be given in Boston or coordinated near the patient's home.
Background and Training
His experience as a physician includes 13 years in the Israeli military. He held a variety of posts including active duty as a battalion physician, platoon commander and later a company comander in an elite infantry unit.
After his military service and medical school, he completed his general surgery training in Jerusalem Israel. He then moved to Boston were he trained with Dr. David Sugarbaker who has one of the top general thoracic programs in the world. He spent 4 years training with Dr. David Sugarbaker at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard's Medical School. Dr. David Sugarbaker is a pioneer in mesothelioma therapy and founder of the IMP (International Mesothelioma Program), which is the most predominant mesothelioma program for both clinical as well as research in the field. Upon completion of his Fellowship, Dr Lebenthal moved to Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia where he established a mesothelioma program.
In the summer of 2010, he was given a once in a lifetime opportunity; to return as faculty to the division of thoracic surgery at the Brigham and Women's Hospital (Harvard Medical School) and the West Roxbury VA(WXVA). The WXVA is affiliated with two world-class universities (Harvard and Boston University) and is a true center of excellence within the VA system. It has a rich tradition of innovation in surgery. With the assistance of Dr. Sugarbaker, Dr. Itani and his partner Dr Daniel Cohen he started a mesothelioma program at the "Harvard VA", treating veterans from all over our great country.