Dr. Matthew Steliga is a thoracic surgeon specializing in thoracic oncology. He has worked with patients with cancers of the chest cavity, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Dr. Steliga is also a proponent of minimally invasive treatments whenever possible.
Dr. Steliga was trained at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. He is now a surgeon at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he is also an associate professor of surgery. Previously, Dr. Steliga worked at the MD Anderson Cancer Institute in Houston, a facility known for multidisciplinary teams for mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Steliga earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin, a freestanding medical school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Afterward, he completed an internship and residency in general surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis.
Following his general surgery residency, Dr. Steliga completed two fellowships in thoracic surgery. During those fellowships, he chose to specialize in thoracic diseases, especially cancers. These fellowships took place at Houston’s MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Texas Heart Institute. While at the Heart Institute, Dr. Steliga trained in cardiothoracic surgery. While at MD Anderson, he trained with experts in thoracic oncology surgery.
The MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the original Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States. This means it is both an educational and research facility as well as a center for diagnosing and treating patients with cancer. The Center’s thoracic surgery division specializes in mesothelioma, and it was here that Dr. Steliga developed an interest in surgical treatment for the disease.
Through his work at MD Anderson, Dr. Steliga trained with some of the country’s leading experts, including Dr. David Rice and Dr. Anne Tsao. After learning from these specialists, Dr. Steliga began working with them. At this time, he also taught residents and interns at MD Anderson.
Dr. Steliga specializes in thoracic oncology, including any type of chest surgery for lung cancer, mesothelioma, or esophageal cancer. He also specializes in minimally invasive surgery, using smaller incisions and tools to perform a surgery with as little harm to the patient as possible.
Unfortunately, minimally invasive surgery is not always possible with mesothelioma or lung cancer treatment. However, Dr. Steliga is also an expert in aggressive and radical surgical procedures. These procedures include pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy, which removes and entire lung to treat mesothelioma.
After leaving MD Anderson, Dr. Steliga took a position at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Currently, he is an assistant professor of surgery, teaching and training the next generation of medical doctors. Dr. Steliga is also a thoracic surgeon at the Cancer Institute in Little Rock, the only comprehensive cancer treatment facility in the state of Arkansas.
As a surgeon at the Cancer Institute, Dr. Steliga provides treatment for patients with the most difficult types of cancers, including mesothelioma. He is best known for minimally invasive surgery, but also offers a range of treatment options. Dr. Steliga also serves as part of a multidisciplinary team to offer patients the best care from a range of experts.
Dr. Steliga is certified through the American Board of Surgery. He is also a certified thoracic and cardiac surgeon through the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He holds active medical licenses in both Texas and Arkansas. Dr. Steliga is also a member of several professional organizations, including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery. He is an American Cancer Society fellow and was named a top regional doctor in 2014.
During his career, Dr. Steliga has served in multiple research projects and published papers in several medical journals. His research includes work with smoking cessation programs, lung cancer interventions, rare types of lung cancer, lung cancer screenings, and case studies of patients with cancer and successful surgical treatments.
Dr. Steliga is a leader in surgical treatment for thoracic oncology, including difficult surgeries for mesothelioma patients. He also specializes in using minimally invasive procedures and works with other experts to provide patients with the best care. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you need to find a specialist in your area to get the best treatment options available.