Where is the BEST Clinic/Hospital for Stage IV Colon Cancer with liver mets?

heatherdrnd
heatherdrnd Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Any advice on what center(s) offer the best and most aggressive treamtent for Stage IV colon cancer with liver mets? Spoke to someon at Cancer Treatment Centers of America yesterday but I want to make sure we get our 2nd opinion from the absolute best.
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Comments

  • pf78248
    pf78248 Member Posts: 209
    #2
    Best hospital
    If I were you, I'd make sure I went to one of the comprehensive cancer centers, like M D Anderson in Houston or another major center close to your home state. We are in Texas and my husband is stage 4 with liver met and we were told he was inoperable. Got a total different opinion at M D Anderson and he is scheduled for surgery next month after getting a portal vein embolization and then some rounds of chemo to shrink the tumor. In fact his surgeon told us that he has a good chance of a cure after surgery. I was surprised, our insurance is paying for treatment there and even helping us with travel expenses. We were told we could go to about 20 different comprehensive cancer centers. Google National Cancer Institute and go to there site. They have a map showing all the centers. I strongly believe that's where you can get the best team approach. We have a great oncologist in San Antonio but there you have the entire team of oncologists, radiologists, surgeons and a huge team of caregivers. It's the best move David and I have done since his diagnosis in April 2008. Good luck, wherever you go.

    Priscilla
  • jakesman
    jakesman Member Posts: 33
    #3
    Check out the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Cure
    http://www.blockmd.com/

    Some fantastic stories have come out of there (found on their front page).
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #4
    Hard to say
    It's like asking "What's the best of anything in the world". It's subjective. Many centers have much to offer. I personally think Sloan Kettering is the best. That's where I go and they've done OK by me. They are leaders in clinical trials and have had many success stories.
    -phil
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #5
    PhillieG said:

    Hard to say
    It's like asking "What's the best of anything in the world". It's subjective. Many centers have much to offer. I personally think Sloan Kettering is the best. That's where I go and they've done OK by me. They are leaders in clinical trials and have had many success stories.
    -phil

    Hospital
    I agree with Phil, "What is the best flavor of ice cream". Just out of the gate, the first line of treatment will most likely be the same wherever you go. It is my understanding Cancer Treatment Centers of America is a for profit hospital. Much depends on were the turmor is located, colon cancer is treated different than rectal cancer. With colon there is no radiation, with rectal there is. If you want the best of the best it is my understanding Sloan in New York and MD Anderson in Houston are the top 2. Our experience with our local hospital and oncologist has been outstanding and our treatment would have been the same even if we went out of state. Good Luck. Come back and let us know what type of cancer you are dealing with and maybe others will chime in and give you more advise as to what to expect. Sincerely Tina
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #6
    geotina said:

    Hospital
    I agree with Phil, "What is the best flavor of ice cream". Just out of the gate, the first line of treatment will most likely be the same wherever you go. It is my understanding Cancer Treatment Centers of America is a for profit hospital. Much depends on were the turmor is located, colon cancer is treated different than rectal cancer. With colon there is no radiation, with rectal there is. If you want the best of the best it is my understanding Sloan in New York and MD Anderson in Houston are the top 2. Our experience with our local hospital and oncologist has been outstanding and our treatment would have been the same even if we went out of state. Good Luck. Come back and let us know what type of cancer you are dealing with and maybe others will chime in and give you more advise as to what to expect. Sincerely Tina

    The answer is...
    Chocolate!
  • ADKer
    ADKer Member Posts: 147
    #7
    where do you live
    I am also treated at Sloan Kettering and believe that it is terrific. You have to look at what is practical for you. There are probably 5-10 places in the US where you could receive the best possible care. Unless you have unlimited resources, you may want to find the best place that you can treat at as a practical matter. I travel 4.5 - 5 hours to Sloan Kettering. Early on, we arranged for me to receive some of my chemo treatment locally but I still had/have to go to Slaon fairly often. I drive myself; it would be very cumbersome to take the train because of the distance when I am currently going there every other week. I do wonder what I will do if it I am not able to drive myself but I have not had to address that yet.
  • ADKer
    ADKer Member Posts: 147
    #8
    where do you live
    sorry; hit the post button twice.
  • lmliess
    lmliess Member Posts: 329
    #9
    ADKer said:

    where do you live
    sorry; hit the post button twice.

    I had mine at MD Anderson - DR Curley
    I had Stage 4 with Metasis to the liver. I had my first surgery with colostomy here in Kansas City Mo, but then went to MD Anderson for the liver resection. Dr Curley is the doc I had and he is wonderful!! He resected 80% of my liver in April and today I feel great! (I am actually getting ready to do workout number 2 for the day, after working 9 hours and playing with my 5 year old all night!)
  • Holdtight
    Holdtight Member Posts: 151
    #10
    lmliess said:

    I had mine at MD Anderson - DR Curley
    I had Stage 4 with Metasis to the liver. I had my first surgery with colostomy here in Kansas City Mo, but then went to MD Anderson for the liver resection. Dr Curley is the doc I had and he is wonderful!! He resected 80% of my liver in April and today I feel great! (I am actually getting ready to do workout number 2 for the day, after working 9 hours and playing with my 5 year old all night!)

    HI!
    I was very much in the dark when I was first diagnosed. I wanted to stay in the same circle of doctors that was all I had to go on. I asked my GI doctor who diagnosed me after the colonscopy. He asked what hospital I wanted to go to. I told him Jefferson U in Philadelphia. He gave me the names of the colon surgeon who is Dr. Isenberg and my the liver doctor who is Dr. Rosato Jr. for the liver mets. I went back after my 6th chemo tx and was told to come back in 6 mos they got it all. I could't of asked for better treatment. I know you live some distance but you should look into getting some additional funding from the American Cancer Society sometimes they will help out. Take care and please keep us posted. God Bless.
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #11
    MD Anderson
    I have no experience here, myself, but in addition to the other mentions of MD Anderson, I recall seeing several reports of MD Anderson surgeons being willing to operate for liver mets when other surgeons had refused to try. I doubt that the Cancer Treatment Centers of America would be your very best bet.

    --Greg
  • menright
    menright Member Posts: 256 Member
    #12
    Best Care
    I like you have Stage IV with liver mets. Or should I say I used to. I have completed my care at a local cancer center St. Francis Cancer Center in Hartford, CT. Convenience was the issue. I only have to drive less than an hour.

    I did visit Sloan Kettering in NYC. This may well have provided a more talented group of cancer specialists, but the time and money to travel swayed me toward convenience.

    Best of luck with your search and decision. I hope you have a local cancer center so the burden will be less.

    Mike
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #13
    CCTA?
    CCTA is a for profit cancer center - and they are all inclusive - they want all of you and everything comes from them.

    I called them a couple of years ago to check into it - a guy I know had his dad go there. There were willing to fly me down there and put me up etc. I asked them if I could do scans and see my onc here and get certain treatments there.

    They said because they invest money to fly you up and put you, that they want your full participation and do not work jointly with any other of your doctors.

    I just told them No Thanks. I think their ads are somewhat misleading too - alot of marketing and $$$ going on there.

    I'd look into other centers or hospitals that you feel comfortable with.

    -Craig
  • heatherdrnd
    heatherdrnd Member Posts: 6
    #14
    ADKer said:

    where do you live
    sorry; hit the post button twice.

    Location
    Asheville, NC
  • sfmarie
    sfmarie Member Posts: 602
    #15
    Sundanceh said:

    CCTA?
    CCTA is a for profit cancer center - and they are all inclusive - they want all of you and everything comes from them.

    I called them a couple of years ago to check into it - a guy I know had his dad go there. There were willing to fly me down there and put me up etc. I asked them if I could do scans and see my onc here and get certain treatments there.

    They said because they invest money to fly you up and put you, that they want your full participation and do not work jointly with any other of your doctors.

    I just told them No Thanks. I think their ads are somewhat misleading too - alot of marketing and $$$ going on there.

    I'd look into other centers or hospitals that you feel comfortable with.

    -Craig

    Interesting about CCTA
    I did not know that about them. Wow! Yup, no thanks.
  • PPrice
    PPrice Member Posts: 7
    #16
    Mayo?
    Hi Heather,
    I am in the same boat as you diagnosis-wise and I'm interested in people's thoughts on this topic.

    Does anyone know anything about the Mayo Clinics? After my initial medical crisis that led to my diagnosis, I was referred to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I have been making some visits down there (about 3 hours from our house) and found the docs to be wonderful, well qualified, and showing a comforting interest in my welfare. We plan to move down there temporarily for radiation soon because we were so impressed with the facility, the docs, and staff.
    Any thoughts on Mayo?
    Prentiss :)
  • pf78248
    pf78248 Member Posts: 209
    #17
    PPrice said:

    Mayo?
    Hi Heather,
    I am in the same boat as you diagnosis-wise and I'm interested in people's thoughts on this topic.

    Does anyone know anything about the Mayo Clinics? After my initial medical crisis that led to my diagnosis, I was referred to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I have been making some visits down there (about 3 hours from our house) and found the docs to be wonderful, well qualified, and showing a comforting interest in my welfare. We plan to move down there temporarily for radiation soon because we were so impressed with the facility, the docs, and staff.
    Any thoughts on Mayo?
    Prentiss :)

    Mayo
    I know the Mayo Clinic has traditionally been one of the best in the country. Not sure about the one in Jacksonville, but it is certainly affiliated with a great clinic. One thing you might consider is doing a search for "comprehensive cancer centers". These are the top tier centers in the country and have all the patient services you might need - oncology, surgery. radiologists, etc. in addition to doing research.

    My husband David is stage 4 with a liver met and is finally getting a resection next month at M D Anderson in Houston. Other surgeons told him he was inoperable. The surgeons/doctors he is seeing are even using the "Cure" word as a possibility. So it's really important to get a surgeon's opinion early in the process. Good look, Prentiss, with your treatment at Mayo. There is always hope and lots of good doctors out there!

    Priscilla in San Antonio
  • PPrice
    PPrice Member Posts: 7
    #18
    pf78248 said:

    Mayo
    I know the Mayo Clinic has traditionally been one of the best in the country. Not sure about the one in Jacksonville, but it is certainly affiliated with a great clinic. One thing you might consider is doing a search for "comprehensive cancer centers". These are the top tier centers in the country and have all the patient services you might need - oncology, surgery. radiologists, etc. in addition to doing research.

    My husband David is stage 4 with a liver met and is finally getting a resection next month at M D Anderson in Houston. Other surgeons told him he was inoperable. The surgeons/doctors he is seeing are even using the "Cure" word as a possibility. So it's really important to get a surgeon's opinion early in the process. Good look, Prentiss, with your treatment at Mayo. There is always hope and lots of good doctors out there!

    Priscilla in San Antonio

    Thanks!
    Hi Priscilla,
    Thanks so much for your thoughts, encouragement, and recommendation on the web site! I am really learning a lot by reading everyone's informative posts :)

    I certainly wish you and your husband all the best with his liver resection next month. The word "cure" has never sounded better! Hang in there!

    Prentiss :)
  • impactzone
    impactzone Member Posts: 555 Member
    #19
    west coast here
    Before I went for my liver resection I went to:
    UCLA - too negative for me
    USC - I liked them but traffic
    UCSF - Loved them but parking and distance was really a lot
    Stanford - Loved them and ended up there with Dr Soo (2006)

    Go to a major center with liver specialists and you will feel much more comfortable

    Chip
  • lostit2003
    lostit2003 Member Posts: 53
    #20
    good advice
    Lots of good advice!!! My husband Randy has his first treatment Monday. Of course starting with folfox locally. It's great to know that if we don't get the results we need we still have other options. I'm in Tennessee. Has anyone had any experience with Vanderbildt?

    Tina
  • mark440
    mark440 Member Posts: 63
    #21
    CLEVLAND CLINIC!!!!! Having
    CLEVLAND CLINIC!!!!! Having surgery there Monday... was there last week..... it is incredible!!!! top 4 hospital in the U.S. HANDS DOWN!!!!!

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