Grateful for discussion board

Sooker55
Sooker55 Member Posts: 21 Member

I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in June following the discovery of a mass during routine colonoscopy.  Tumor removed at UCSF with pathology of cancer. No obvious invasion, but two prominent lymph nodes identified by CT scan and endoscopic ultrasound. Tumor Board at UCSF advised high probability of invasion and thus recommended chemoradiation followed by surgical resection. Based on recommendations from this group, I obtained a second opinion from Josef Heinz at UCSC, and he completely disagreed with UCSF, telling me I needed further diagnostics evidence.  I had lymph node biopsy and just got the results of negative. I realize the needle could miss the cancerous tissue but I am now evaluating extent of surgery and will again obtain a second opinion before submitting myself to anything.  If I had gone with UCSF I would be in second week of chemoradiation that I might not need. I am grateful to this discussion board. 

Comments

  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    Get a consultation from UCSD!

    Get a consultation from UCSD!  Lenz is mostly correct!  UCSD is one of the best surgical centers on the world if not the best.

     

    We are sending our thoghts and prayers for a Great outcome!

     

    Best Always,  mike

     

    PS  I did the UCLA, MD Anderson, USC, UCSD, Banner, and Saint Joseph's thing.  I had surgery and/or chemo at these places.  UCSD was the best surgery I had, and USC was the best consultation I had.   They did not necessairly tell me what I wanted to hear.  They told me the truth and gave me hope for life. 

  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    Dr. Lenz is awesome!

    I've seen Dr. Lenz for consults several times over the last 6 years, he's terrific.  He also put me in touch with Dr. Lowy who is great as well.  I haven't had surgery with him, but I've consulted with him and wish he'd done my HIPEC surgery!

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    thxmiker said:

    Get a consultation from UCSD!

    Get a consultation from UCSD!  Lenz is mostly correct!  UCSD is one of the best surgical centers on the world if not the best.

     

    We are sending our thoghts and prayers for a Great outcome!

     

    Best Always,  mike

     

    PS  I did the UCLA, MD Anderson, USC, UCSD, Banner, and Saint Joseph's thing.  I had surgery and/or chemo at these places.  UCSD was the best surgery I had, and USC was the best consultation I had.   They did not necessairly tell me what I wanted to hear.  They told me the truth and gave me hope for life. 

    UCSD

    Because they made me NED, I think the U of Arizona Med Center here in Tucson is the greatest.  Obviously there are many excellent 

    cancer healers in the country---and we all think ours is the best.   LOL