Do any of you have a medical oncologist rather than a gyn/oncologist?

mom2greatkids
mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I read the other night that studies show women live longer with ovca when they have a gyn/oncologist. That is not an option for me, as I would have to drive 150 miles one way to have access to one. I live near Memphis, TN, but there are no drs. in my insurance network. I did go that far for my surgery.

I have had 3 treatments of carbo/taxol/avaistan. Today I learned that I will be seeing the nurse practioner tomorrow because my dr. is very ill. He's from India. He has been out of the country.

Since reading that literature, I have been even more scared (if that's possible).

I would imagine there is someone else out there who also sees a medical oncologist.

thanks ladies. Hope all of you are doing well.

Carla

Comments

  • MaxRudy
    MaxRudy Member Posts: 56
    #2
    Medical ONC
    I use a medical ONC. I chose her because of her great reputation.

    I have just finished my last chemo cycle (hopefully).... haven't had my CT scan yet to see how effective treatment was. Even if I have a clean scan (PULEEESE), I think I'm going to also start seeing another ONC for 2nd opinions on things. He happens to be an gyn onc but I picked him for other reasons (he also has a great reputation). I like my medical onc and plan on keeping her but she asks me "what do you want to do"quite a bit. I know I'm part of the decision team but I'm not a Dr. so decided that once my chemo was over (6th cycle), I'd also find someone else to drag into the team decision.

    I guess I'm lucky I live in a large metro area (DC) where I have options. I also have a home in NC but there are far fewer medical options in Wilmington NC. If I moved there permanently, I'd go to Chapel Hill to see the Doctor and he/she would direct the medical onc in Wilmington on what to do.

    I'd be interested in where u read that gyn onc patients had longer survival times...I was not aware of that.

    Hope this makes sense....this 6th dose of chemo has been esp. rough on me.

    Melanie
  • cfont11
    cfont11 Member Posts: 115
    #3
    Medical Onc
    I have both. I got the medical onc after emergency surgery for a blocked colon and an internist in the hospital recommended her. She recommended the gyn onc, who ended up doing my surgery. They are a real team and I would not have one without the other. I was also limited with drs. Our state only has 3 gyn oncs, all at the same hospital 2 hours away. The one I have is outside of Boston and we went with her due to many recommendations and her reputation. They only thing I have ever seen about this is that you should have a gyn onc do your surgery and not just a regular gyn.
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #4
    I have both
    I also have both, because the closest gyn/onc to me is four hours away. I am just being monitored now, so I alternate appointments between my medical onc and my gyn/onc. I know that my gyn/onc has much more knowledge with regard to OVCA than does my medical onc. If I had to consider treatment again, the gyn/onc would call the shots; the medical onc would administer the treatments. The gyn/onc is also a member of the GOGG, which keeps him updated on the latest research related to this disease. Additionally, my medical onc does not do pelvic exams; the gyn/onc does. This is important to keep tabs on whether something feels off.
  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #5
    MaxRudy said:

    Medical ONC
    I use a medical ONC. I chose her because of her great reputation.

    I have just finished my last chemo cycle (hopefully).... haven't had my CT scan yet to see how effective treatment was. Even if I have a clean scan (PULEEESE), I think I'm going to also start seeing another ONC for 2nd opinions on things. He happens to be an gyn onc but I picked him for other reasons (he also has a great reputation). I like my medical onc and plan on keeping her but she asks me "what do you want to do"quite a bit. I know I'm part of the decision team but I'm not a Dr. so decided that once my chemo was over (6th cycle), I'd also find someone else to drag into the team decision.

    I guess I'm lucky I live in a large metro area (DC) where I have options. I also have a home in NC but there are far fewer medical options in Wilmington NC. If I moved there permanently, I'd go to Chapel Hill to see the Doctor and he/she would direct the medical onc in Wilmington on what to do.

    I'd be interested in where u read that gyn onc patients had longer survival times...I was not aware of that.

    Hope this makes sense....this 6th dose of chemo has been esp. rough on me.

    Melanie

    Melanie, I read this in
    Melanie, I read this in some literature I picked up at the ovarian support group meeting last week. The heading reads News from the 2011 Ovarian Cancer National Conference. It reads research has shown that women treated by surgical gynecologic oncologists live longer than those treated by other physicians.

    Yes, what your wrote made sense. Sorry the 6th treatment was so hard on you.
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #6
    Tethys41 said:

    I have both
    I also have both, because the closest gyn/onc to me is four hours away. I am just being monitored now, so I alternate appointments between my medical onc and my gyn/onc. I know that my gyn/onc has much more knowledge with regard to OVCA than does my medical onc. If I had to consider treatment again, the gyn/onc would call the shots; the medical onc would administer the treatments. The gyn/onc is also a member of the GOGG, which keeps him updated on the latest research related to this disease. Additionally, my medical onc does not do pelvic exams; the gyn/onc does. This is important to keep tabs on whether something feels off.

    Both
    Yeah, I have both a gyn/onc and a med/onc because I always need more than one opinion.

    Carolen
  • antcat
    antcat Member Posts: 270
    #7
    Medical or gyn onc
    Hi, I have both but honestly, I would prefer just to use my gyn/onc. Unfortunately, my gyn/onc is the one who does surgery and with his caseload it's just impossible for him to do the chemotherapy part. But, if it were ever possible, I would have him and not a medical oncologist. Many times when I have side effects from chemo & I bring it to the attention of the med oncologist, I don't get much help, so I see my primary care doc who is wonderful. And, 2 out of my 3 visits for chemo, I don't even see the med onc, I just go right to chemo. So, if I had my wish, I'd just deal with my gyn/oncologist.
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #8
    just one
    I have just my GYN/ONC.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • carolyn45
    carolyn45 Member Posts: 100
    #9
    I was in Medford, OR when my
    I was in Medford, OR when my cancer was discovered. I had a fabulous (and gorgeous) oncologist who told me that I WOULD be going to Eugene, OR (3 hours away by car) for my debulking surgery. He was very clear that this was my best option. He finagled me getting one of the best gyn/onc/surgeons in the country. I was SO grateful! Since my CA125 was down to 41, she expected to find little active cancer, but lo and behold my right ovary was still the size of a lemon (goose egg when chemo began) with active cancer. My left ovary was smaller but cancerous. My uterus had some cancer, as did my omentum. There was a small spot on a piece of intestine. My CA125 was 6 after surgery and has stayed there. So for surgery, I'd definitely travel the miles and get the best surgeon available. For chemo and scans of all sorts, regular oncologists are FINE. I don't know about your area, but in the Rogue Valley (Oregon), with 3 cities and a population of a little over 100,000, there is a tumor board that reviews ALL cancer cases, so every person gets the benefit of the cumulative wisdom of some primo doctors. Don't be afraid to ask questions!! Lots of them! Including, "Do you feel FULLY competent to handle my case?" No good doc resents this.
  • Radioactive34
    Radioactive34 Member Posts: 391 Member
    #10
    My surgery was done by my
    My surgery was done by my regular gyn, and by my onc gyn. After the surgery, which included a hysterectomy, I was refered to a internal medicine oncologist in the same clinic. Both the onc gyn and my internal med onc get lab results and the like.

    I am pretty confident about their combined care. I have gotten calls directly from them when tests with particularly critical information come in.

    Once diagnosed I can't complain about the care I have gotten. I read stories about women who had have problems and count my blessings.
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #11
    Optimal debulking by GYN/ONC
    The only relevant statistic that I know of correlates the most favorable prognosis after ovarian cancer with beIng "optimally debulked by a GYN/ONC."

    After surgery, I don't know of any research that correlates a better outcome from chemo managed by a GYN/ONC rather than a medical oncologist.

    Carolen
  • evertheoptimist
    evertheoptimist Member Posts: 140
    #12
    carolenk said:

    Optimal debulking by GYN/ONC
    The only relevant statistic that I know of correlates the most favorable prognosis after ovarian cancer with beIng "optimally debulked by a GYN/ONC."

    After surgery, I don't know of any research that correlates a better outcome from chemo managed by a GYN/ONC rather than a medical oncologist.

    Carolen

    I agree with carolen. The
    I agree with carolen. The study that showed better survival statistics was about the DEBULKING SURGERY, not the follow up chemo care. Definitely, consensus is, the surgery should be done by gyn/onc, not the gynecologist or a general surgeon. See, the contrast the study demonstrated was NOT about gyn/onc vs. medical oncologist, but rather one type of surgeon with a specialty(gyn/onc) vs. less specialized surgeon.

    In fact, at Memorial Sloan Kettering, the gyn/onc surgeons do the surgery and the medical oncologists do the chemo. Mt. Sinai (also in NYC) is also moving in that direction.

    I have my gyn/onc surgeon also overseeing the chemo part too (in NJ). I personally like it that day: the continuity and one doctor who has "seen it all" from the beginning inside and out (literally!!!!) managing my care. But that's not the same thing to say it will improve my survival odds measurably.
  • Susan777
    Susan777 Member Posts: 97 Member
    #13
    Good question
    I have a GYN/ONC that performed my surgery and I have followed up with him several times since. But i also have a Hemotogist ONC that does the chemo thing. Which one is my doctor? I like the GYN better....but the HEMO guys has a great chemo nurse.

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