Dr. Eric Vallieres

Dr. Eric Vallieres is a proponent of individualized treatments so patients get the best medical care for their disease. Vallieres believes that it is important to empower patients with knowledge.

Vallieres is the surgical director of the lung cancer program and the medical director of the division of thoracic surgery at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. He said in lung cancer it is particularly important to provide the right treatment for the right stage of the cancer to get the best results.

Vallieres has taken a special interest in spending time with patients to explain every step of the process and explain options to individualize treatment. He is known for his gentle and personal bedside manner.

Mesothelioma Specialist in Washington

Washington has ample supplies of naturally occurring asbestos, which is the main known cause of mesothelioma. From shipbuilding operations in the Puget Sound area to the timber industry in the heart of the state, asbestos was widely used because of its heat-, fire- and chemical-resistant properties. The substance has also been used in the hydroelectric and nuclear power plants, aluminum production plants and the petrochemical industry.

If you or someone you know has worked in an industry known to use asbestos, it is important to follow up with a physician. Patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are urged to seek a second opinion from a qualified mesothelioma specialist, such as Vallieres. Call our Patient Advocates today for help getting a quick appointment.

What are Vallieres’ specialties

In addition to focusing on mesothelioma, Vallieres specializes in general thoracic surgery, lung cancers, esophageal cancer, hyperhidrosis and other pleural diseases. He also specializes in robot-assisted surgery.

Vallieres has a special interest in the multimodal approach to malignant mesothelioma. In an early clinical trial, he combined induction chemotherapy followed by radical surgery and then fast-neutron radiation therapy. The favorable results were encouraging and have prompted more physicians to use the treatment protocol.

What is Vallieres’ background

Born and raised in Canada, Vallieres attended Université Laval medical school in Quebec and continued his medical education at the University of Toronto’s medical center in Ontario. Vallieres completed a thoracic-surgery fellowship in France.

In 1996, Vallieres went to the University of Washington’s school of medicine as an associate professor, where he was continually recognized as the teacher of the year. In 2004, he was appointed surgical director at Swedish Cancer Institute. In 2013, he was appointed as medical director of the thoracic surgery division.

Vallieres’ work has appeared in several peer-reviewed journals including the American Journal of Surgery and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. He is fluent in French and English.