How do you research a surgeon??

MissF

Silly question: What is the best way to research a surgeon? What exactly am I researching? I was given the name of where Dad would be referred to.

Missi

BMGky

There are multiple ways to
There are multiple ways to get information. I might suggest that if you could give more information about your Dad's Esophageal Stage and the area where he is located, the members on this board are all over the place and could even possibly know about the surgeon in question. Further, once they know staging and treatment plans, they can even give suggestions about alternatives. This is a very active board with lots and lots of surgery experiences. I'm sure you've read many of the posts here and recommendations for Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy by a doctor skilled in such surgery. Further, they will recommend hospitals with experience with EC. If you don't get additional responses to this post, you may want to post again asking for information to help your Dad. Everyone here is very interested in helping because they have each, in one way or another faced this diagnosis and know that optimum care can give a chance for life. My husband went to a cancer clinic here in Kentucky. We were very pleased. However, most will steer you to major cancer centers and with good cause. While he had excellent treatment and response, one year post op, no evidence of disease, if you are near a major center go for it. Plus, don't waste a lot of time waiting to find someone. Time is of the essence. Hopefully, others will post soon. Again, additional information from you about your Dad will help them help you. Good luck!

MissF

BMGky said:

There are multiple ways to
There are multiple ways to get information. I might suggest that if you could give more information about your Dad's Esophageal Stage and the area where he is located, the members on this board are all over the place and could even possibly know about the surgeon in question. Further, once they know staging and treatment plans, they can even give suggestions about alternatives. This is a very active board with lots and lots of surgery experiences. I'm sure you've read many of the posts here and recommendations for Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy by a doctor skilled in such surgery. Further, they will recommend hospitals with experience with EC. If you don't get additional responses to this post, you may want to post again asking for information to help your Dad. Everyone here is very interested in helping because they have each, in one way or another faced this diagnosis and know that optimum care can give a chance for life. My husband went to a cancer clinic here in Kentucky. We were very pleased. However, most will steer you to major cancer centers and with good cause. While he had excellent treatment and response, one year post op, no evidence of disease, if you are near a major center go for it. Plus, don't waste a lot of time waiting to find someone. Time is of the essence. Hopefully, others will post soon. Again, additional information from you about your Dad will help them help you. Good luck!

Hi,
I posted his specifics
Hi,
I posted his specifics here: http://csn.cancer.org/node/218145 on the 9th.

Update since then is: currently hospitalized and awaiting transfer to a rehab facility. 6 weeks since ending treatment and can't eat and still has alot of pain drinking. He experienced late onset side effects so now experiencing late bounce back to health. Has had repeat CT scan which had great results. Still waiting on repeat scope until he is healed more. PET scan to follow.

T3NX
clear PET scan
7 weeks (watered down version) chemo/radiation
drugs: Carboplaten, Taxotere, 5-FU

Due to very high surgical risk Drs here are not even sure if a surgeon would touch him. He would be referred to Dana-Farber in Boston to Dr. Sugarbaker. He would have to have a complete workup by Sugarbaker and then he would decide whether or not he would operate. He may not be willing....

Missi

Tina Blondek

MissF said:

Hi,
I posted his specifics
Hi,
I posted his specifics here: http://csn.cancer.org/node/218145 on the 9th.

Update since then is: currently hospitalized and awaiting transfer to a rehab facility. 6 weeks since ending treatment and can't eat and still has alot of pain drinking. He experienced late onset side effects so now experiencing late bounce back to health. Has had repeat CT scan which had great results. Still waiting on repeat scope until he is healed more. PET scan to follow.

T3NX
clear PET scan
7 weeks (watered down version) chemo/radiation
drugs: Carboplaten, Taxotere, 5-FU

Due to very high surgical risk Drs here are not even sure if a surgeon would touch him. He would be referred to Dana-Farber in Boston to Dr. Sugarbaker. He would have to have a complete workup by Sugarbaker and then he would decide whether or not he would operate. He may not be willing....

Missi

Welcome
Hello Missi and welcome to our discussion board family! I was a caregiver for my dad. He passed in March 2010 from EC which went to his liver. Hope your dad is soon feeling better. This is a very hard journey. Tell him to stay as positive as he can. The mind set is half the battle. I would agree with you to go to this Dr. Sugarbaker. I actually admire that last name! Get the work up done, she what he thinks. You will never know unless you ask. Also, go with your gut feelings. Do what your dad wants to do. This is his cancer. Let him make all the decisions. He has to do this for himself, no one else. I learned this the hard way. In the end...my dad was right..we should have listened. You live and learn. Hope this helps. We are always here for you. Keep us up to date.
Tina in Va

BMGky

MissF said:

Hi,
I posted his specifics
Hi,
I posted his specifics here: http://csn.cancer.org/node/218145 on the 9th.

Update since then is: currently hospitalized and awaiting transfer to a rehab facility. 6 weeks since ending treatment and can't eat and still has alot of pain drinking. He experienced late onset side effects so now experiencing late bounce back to health. Has had repeat CT scan which had great results. Still waiting on repeat scope until he is healed more. PET scan to follow.

T3NX
clear PET scan
7 weeks (watered down version) chemo/radiation
drugs: Carboplaten, Taxotere, 5-FU

Due to very high surgical risk Drs here are not even sure if a surgeon would touch him. He would be referred to Dana-Farber in Boston to Dr. Sugarbaker. He would have to have a complete workup by Sugarbaker and then he would decide whether or not he would operate. He may not be willing....

Missi

I've read several posts on
I've read several posts on here regarding Dana-Farber and believe they have mentioned Dr. Sugarbaker--all good. However, I am not an expert. Sure hope they will get him to Dana-Farber as soon as safe as EC is not something to wait around on. The sooner he gets there the sooner the surgeon can make a decision. Please check this site often as I learn something every time I come here. Gee! If he could undergo the radiation and the chemo ( and that's rough stuff), you would think he could be able to do surgery but that is something I know nothing about. Good luck!

Joel C

BMGky said:

I've read several posts on
I've read several posts on here regarding Dana-Farber and believe they have mentioned Dr. Sugarbaker--all good. However, I am not an expert. Sure hope they will get him to Dana-Farber as soon as safe as EC is not something to wait around on. The sooner he gets there the sooner the surgeon can make a decision. Please check this site often as I learn something every time I come here. Gee! If he could undergo the radiation and the chemo ( and that's rough stuff), you would think he could be able to do surgery but that is something I know nothing about. Good luck!

Dana-Farber / Brigham & Women's
Hi Missi,
Two friends of mine had Dr. Sugarbaker from Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women’s as their surgeon. Both are very happy with the results. I’ve read very good things about him and actually consider him for my surgery but I don’t believe he does the minimally invasive approach. I ended up with Dr. Scott Swanson who works in the same department as Dr. Sugarbaker for my MIE back in 11/2010. If your dad is interested in the MIE surgery I would seriously consider Dr. Swanson. If your father decides to have his surgery at Brigham’s and you have any questions feel free to ask.
Joel

Unknown

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