Surgeon Recommendations & General MIE questions

sarahmb
sarahmb Member Posts: 3
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hello EC board!

My mother has recently been diagnosed with EC (adenocarcinoma). While I have not received official staging from her oncologist, I believe she is Stage II (tumor is contained in esophagus, though it is in the wall; one small adjacent lymph node is involved). She has begun her eight week chemo and radiation treatments and will need an esophagectomy after chemo/rad is complete.

I am researching / hoping for recommendations for MIE surgeons both in SW Florida (where my mother currently resides) and in Ohio (I live in NE Ohio, my parents permanent home is outside of Cincinnati). Her Cape Coral based oncologist has referred her to Dr. Kenneth Meredith at Moffit in Tampa.

Any recommendations for surgeons in SW Florida or anywhere in Ohio would be much appreciated. Since we have family bases both in NE and SW Ohio and good friends in Columbus we are looking at Cleveland Clinic, University/Case, The James, or University Cincinnati. I have also read the positive views on Dr. Luketish in Pittsburgh and that is also doable if it is the best option.

The one factor that is going to influence where we elect to do her surgery is recovery time after the procedure. If her recovery time is significant that may push us toward surgery closer to my home so that I can take on a majority of the care. Any information you can pass along about recover time and experience would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance to any and all who can help me out!

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
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  • sarahmb
    sarahmb Member Posts: 3
    #3
    unknown said:

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    Thanks William!
    Appreciate your quick response.

    My mom is on Taxol/Carboplaten with one weekly treatment for 8 weeks. Radiation every weekday, 28 sessions in total.

    Regarding comparing surgeons -- it's easier to find reviews on laptops then getting info to compare surgeons! Trying to cobble together info from Vitals.com, Leapfrog Group, US News, message boards, friends, books, etc.

    BTW already called Dr. Luketich's office.:-)
  • flmo
    flmo Member Posts: 65
    #4
    My husband went to
    My husband went to Pittsburgh for surgery with Dr. Luketich at UPMC. We live in Fort Myers, FL. His GI doctor in Fort Myers recommended the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. They have one doctor who does MIE,but he hasn't done nearly as many as Dr. Luketich who has done more than 1000. We were looking for the best doctor we could find and we felt that Dr. Luketich was the one. I used to live in Cleveland. As far as I know the Cleveland Clinic doesn't do MIE. I'm not sure about University Hospital. Pittsburgh isn't too far from NE Ohio. Also, they have a wonderful place called Family House where you can stay while in the area. Best of luck as you begin the journey of finding the best place for you mother.
  • sarahmb
    sarahmb Member Posts: 3
    #5
    flmo said:

    My husband went to
    My husband went to Pittsburgh for surgery with Dr. Luketich at UPMC. We live in Fort Myers, FL. His GI doctor in Fort Myers recommended the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. They have one doctor who does MIE,but he hasn't done nearly as many as Dr. Luketich who has done more than 1000. We were looking for the best doctor we could find and we felt that Dr. Luketich was the one. I used to live in Cleveland. As far as I know the Cleveland Clinic doesn't do MIE. I'm not sure about University Hospital. Pittsburgh isn't too far from NE Ohio. Also, they have a wonderful place called Family House where you can stay while in the area. Best of luck as you begin the journey of finding the best place for you mother.

    flmo -- Thank you!
    Wow! Thank you for your reply!

    The Cleveland Clinic does MIE now (according to their website) but you are the third person to recommend Dr. Luketich so it's now certainly on the short list.

    I am curious who your oncologist / GI was in Fort Myers? Did your husband do chemo/rad in Ft. Myers? My mom is in Matlacha and is receiving treatment in Cape Coral. Her oncologist (Dr. Rodriguez) recommended Moffit (Dr. Meredith) in Tampa for surgery.

    Per my earlier post since we are have bases to work from throughout Ohio we are looking outside of Florida for other options. Pittsburgh is 2 hours from my home so certainly doable.

    A couple of questions about the experience in Pittsburgh:

    What was your experience with Dr. Luketich and his staff?

    How long was your husband in the hospital?

    How long did you have to stay in Pittsburgh for post-operative follow-ups?

    Thank you so much for you reply and your help!

    Regards,

    Sarah
  • sammy123
    sammy123 Member Posts: 65
    #6
    sarahmb said:

    flmo -- Thank you!
    Wow! Thank you for your reply!

    The Cleveland Clinic does MIE now (according to their website) but you are the third person to recommend Dr. Luketich so it's now certainly on the short list.

    I am curious who your oncologist / GI was in Fort Myers? Did your husband do chemo/rad in Ft. Myers? My mom is in Matlacha and is receiving treatment in Cape Coral. Her oncologist (Dr. Rodriguez) recommended Moffit (Dr. Meredith) in Tampa for surgery.

    Per my earlier post since we are have bases to work from throughout Ohio we are looking outside of Florida for other options. Pittsburgh is 2 hours from my home so certainly doable.

    A couple of questions about the experience in Pittsburgh:

    What was your experience with Dr. Luketich and his staff?

    How long was your husband in the hospital?

    How long did you have to stay in Pittsburgh for post-operative follow-ups?

    Thank you so much for you reply and your help!

    Regards,

    Sarah

    We are in Pittsburgh now
    We are in Pittsburgh now with Dr. Luketich. He does more MIE's in the country, possibly in the world. If you have any specific questions shoot me a private email. We had the chemo/radiation in Florida and then came to Pittsburgh for surgery.
  • Ericalynn
    Ericalynn Member Posts: 200
    #7
    Dr. Meredith
    My Husband had a consult with Dr. Meredith in mid July. I was impressed with his knowledge and compassion. He is a true advocate for MIE surgery. My husband’s first consult was with a surgeon that only does Ivor/Lewis. I am now in the process to get the surgery approved at Moffitt (which is out of network for insurance). I spoke with Dr. Meredith's nurse yesterday and she re-assured me that Dr. Meredith would write letters call the insurance company what ever it takes to get the approval. I was very impressed with the fact that he would personally get involved like that. During consult I asked how many MIE esphogectomies surgeries he performs he stated he does 4-5 per week (the first surgeon does 4-5 per year) and there is another surgeon at Moffitt that does the same amount. He spoke to us about the statistic of having the surgery done at a specialty center with surgeon that does the surgery frequently. I know someone at work who's husband had the surgery with Dr. Meredith in Feb. he is doing great and they have nothing but good to say about Dr. Meredith and Moffitt. Good luck on your journey I spent a lot of time researching but I received the MOST help here on this site. William and Loretta have tons of knowledge and are excellent researchers. I feel very comfortable with Moffitt and Dr. Meredith. We are moving forward one day at a time towards a cure!
  • flmo
    flmo Member Posts: 65
    #8
    sarahmb said:

    flmo -- Thank you!
    Wow! Thank you for your reply!

    The Cleveland Clinic does MIE now (according to their website) but you are the third person to recommend Dr. Luketich so it's now certainly on the short list.

    I am curious who your oncologist / GI was in Fort Myers? Did your husband do chemo/rad in Ft. Myers? My mom is in Matlacha and is receiving treatment in Cape Coral. Her oncologist (Dr. Rodriguez) recommended Moffit (Dr. Meredith) in Tampa for surgery.

    Per my earlier post since we are have bases to work from throughout Ohio we are looking outside of Florida for other options. Pittsburgh is 2 hours from my home so certainly doable.

    A couple of questions about the experience in Pittsburgh:

    What was your experience with Dr. Luketich and his staff?

    How long was your husband in the hospital?

    How long did you have to stay in Pittsburgh for post-operative follow-ups?

    Thank you so much for you reply and your help!

    Regards,

    Sarah

    Experience in Pittsburgh
    My husband's GI doctor is Brent Myers in Fort Myers. His cancer was found early so he did not have chemo or radiation. I can't say enough good things about our experience at UPMC. Dr. Luketich personally answered my email to him, his assistant called us the next day to discuss the case and set up an appointment for surgery. Dr. Luketich called my husband before we flew to Pittsburgh. Everyone in Pittsburgh was great from De. Luketich's staff to the nurses at the hospital and to the staff at the family house where we stayed. My husband was in the hospital for 5 days. We stayed in Pittsburgh for 10 days following his release from the hospital. I'm happy to answer any more of your questions. One thing I think is important is how many MIE's has the surgeon done. It's a complicated procedure,so the more the better,I think.
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #9
    Welcome
    Hello Sarah and many warm greetings to you and your dad. I was a caregiver for my dad. He passed away in March 2010 from EC. Just thought I would put in my 2 cents. I have heard many good positive things about Dr. L in Pa. I have also heard good things about the Moffitt in Fl. The fact that your mom is able to have the surgery is a blessing! Take your time, continue with your research. I am sure you will be happy with your decision if you go with either of these places. Keep in touch.
    Tina in Va
  • hopper52
    hopper52 Member Posts: 108
    #10
    DR MEREDITH
    I have just completed my radiation and chemo and am awaiting surgery. I have my PET/CT scheduled with Moffitt on Aug 16th and meet with Dr Meredith again on the 17th. When I had my initial consult with Dr Meredith in April after being diagnosed, I was very inpressed with his qualifications and demeanor. He took time to answer all my questions and even took the time to explain his answers to his intern (I had some really detailed questions, thanks to the folks on this board). I feel totally comfortable with pressing on with Dr Meredith at Moffitt Cancer in Tampa. The entire team (Radiation,oncology, etc) has been fantastic.

    Michael Daniels (T3N0M0)
    Brandon, FL

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