MD Anderson vs. Mayo Clinic

Candlewood

I live 5 hours from Mayo and I would have to fly to MD Anderson but I do not care so much about the commute as I do about getting the right doctor and best gyn/onc Dept. for UPSC .  I am stage 3 and just had surgery for a recurrance, the doc was not sure if it was an isolated port site metastasis or systemic.  My gyn/onc recommended no treatment because the margins were clear after the abdominal wall mass was removed but I don't feel comfortable with that.  I think I should have some type of maintenance drug such as Herceptin, Avastin or some other drug.  I am negative for ER and PR so no hormones for me but Her/2 fish amplified.  I missed having the Herceptin in with the chemo as the study was not out at that time. I am MSI stable so I am not a candidate for Keytruda.  I do not want chemo at this time, just a maintenance drug.  I saw a new gyn/onc locally and she suggested Avastin but I still want to get a third opinion and I am trying to decide between Mayo (closer to home) or MD Anderson (their gyn/onc department got a lot of the Moonshot money for research).  I know most would say either place is fine but I would like to know if anyone here has had experience with the two for comparison.

CheeseQueen57

MD Anderson

Don‘t have experience with Mayo but did visit MD Anderson in Houston for second opinion when I reoccurred. I live in Philadelphia area. I think it’s more important that you see someone experienced in UPSC. I don’t have that. That person maybe somewhere else. Good luck to you. 

Armywife

Same

I have no Mayo experience, but used MD Anderson for a second opinion.  Last year when I went, they had 28 gyn/oncs.  My army hospital has two.  Their pathology lab upstaged and upgraded my home lab (from IIIA to IVB.)  Their patient services are awesome, and they are a well-oiled machine. Only glitch was they didn't read my slides in time for a tumor board, so it pushed back my decision on chemo for a week.  Their department head, Karen Lu, is supposed to be an absolute genius with our cancer.  I believe she is serving as chief of staff now, so you may not be able to get her, but if you can, I'd say she (and their huge tumor board) could give you definitive input on what maintenance would be best for you.  Best wishes, and please let us know what you decide!

Soup52

I have heard that MD Anderson

I have heard that MD Anderson makes you pay 6,000 just to come there. Is this true? My Gynecholigical oncologist is leaving soon and there is only one other in our town and they won’t take new patients. I’m two years clear after chemo but I was stage 3C with clear cell.Supposidly they are trying to hire a new one but that has been going on for sometime. I’m very worried about this whole thing

Armywife

Soup52 said:

I have heard that MD Anderson

I have heard that MD Anderson makes you pay 6,000 just to come there. Is this true? My Gynecholigical oncologist is leaving soon and there is only one other in our town and they won’t take new patients. I’m two years clear after chemo but I was stage 3C with clear cell.Supposidly they are trying to hire a new one but that has been going on for sometime. I’m very worried about this whole thing

Soup

Where do you live, Soup?  

I looked at my billing from MD Anderson, and did not see that charge.  I would think it depends on your health insurance and what you're responsible for.  I'm sorry you're having upheaval.  Hope you find a wonderful new provider.

Soup52

Armywife said:

Soup

Where do you live, Soup?  

I looked at my billing from MD Anderson, and did not see that charge.  I would think it depends on your health insurance and what you're responsible for.  I'm sorry you're having upheaval.  Hope you find a wonderful new provider.

I live near Peoria, Il. I

I live near Peoria, Il. I sent MD Anderson a note. I have a brother who lives in Houston in the winter and my daughter lives in Beaumont, Tx. I know people who have gone to Mayo and Chicago could be an option. (it isn’t close though as many people hear Illinois and they automatically think Chicago. 3 hrs away.

txtrisha55

Soup52 said:

I live near Peoria, Il. I

I live near Peoria, Il. I sent MD Anderson a note. I have a brother who lives in Houston in the winter and my daughter lives in Beaumont, Tx. I know people who have gone to Mayo and Chicago could be an option. (it isn’t close though as many people hear Illinois and they automatically think Chicago. 3 hrs away.

Beaumont is really close to

Beaumont is really close to Houston so I could understand going there. 

If needed the UTSW Harold C.Simmons Cancer Center in Dallas is a National Cancer Institute recognized Cancer Center.

That is were I went. trish