Best anal Cancer care in chicago area?

susan hopes
susan hopes Member Posts: 19
in Anal Cancer #1

Does anyone have any idea which hospital is the best in IL for treatment? I'm trying to get some answers and finding all the information on 

the internet unuseful. I'm really looking for personal experience here on this one. PLEASE! :)

Comments

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #2
    Cancer hospitals
    I would suggest that you start on this site.

    http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cancer

    You can start there and make some calls to ask questions. I have come to understand that people tend to be loyal to the hospitals that treated them. A cancer patient needs objective criteria to know where to seek treatment.
  • 7243
    7243 Member Posts: 249 Member
    #3
    Care for anal cancer - chicago

    Have you been diagnosed with anal cancer?  i saw UR previous post.  

    You should start with a colo-rectal surgeon to get a firm diagnosis

    based on tissue pathology.  If you have a clear diagnosis...perhaps

    Northwestern and here is why ...It is important to note, the

    Chair of the panel members who developed the 2013 national

    comprehensive cancer network (NCCN)  anal cancer guideline

    is from Northwestern's Robert H. Lunde comprehensive cancer

    center.  You actually can't get much more evidence based than that.  

    Consider starting there.  Here are the physicians:  Al B. Benson MD and

    Mary F. Mulcahy, MD .... Both are oncologists

    Also,  go to www.nccn.org/patients/default.asp   And look at the Anal Cancer

    guideline.   You need to register, but it's easy.  Make a copy, read it, and take it 

    to your appointment.   You will see the physicians I noted on page 2.  Google them...

    this may be the place for you!  Best wishes.

     

  • susan hopes
    susan hopes Member Posts: 19
    #4
    7243 said:

    Care for anal cancer - chicago

    Have you been diagnosed with anal cancer?  i saw UR previous post.  

    You should start with a colo-rectal surgeon to get a firm diagnosis

    based on tissue pathology.  If you have a clear diagnosis...perhaps

    Northwestern and here is why ...It is important to note, the

    Chair of the panel members who developed the 2013 national

    comprehensive cancer network (NCCN)  anal cancer guideline

    is from Northwestern's Robert H. Lunde comprehensive cancer

    center.  You actually can't get much more evidence based than that.  

    Consider starting there.  Here are the physicians:  Al B. Benson MD and

    Mary F. Mulcahy, MD .... Both are oncologists

    Also,  go to www.nccn.org/patients/default.asp   And look at the Anal Cancer

    guideline.   You need to register, but it's easy.  Make a copy, read it, and take it 

    to your appointment.   You will see the physicians I noted on page 2.  Google them...

    this may be the place for you!  Best wishes.

     

    Thank You Marynb and 7243!!! :)

    I went for colonoscopy and he also did a very thorough anal exam... Polyps were removed, 1 was 12mm big, and several samples taken throughout. I will have results in 10 days. No evidence of tumors, but a partial rectal prolapse may require surgery. Doctor said he believes I'm fine, &  hat I need to breathe. The thing is all my symptoms matched everything on line, and its been over a year since they started. My first partial colonoscopy turned up nothing. Then the symptoms got worse and worse. I almost can't go (bm). He said it can be the rectal prolapse. He said if it continued that I should to go to UIC for that surgery.  If the results come back cancer, then I will go to NorthWestern. I have researched, but everyone here is so knowledgeable, I had to ask you here as well. I want my duck in some sort of row if I need them.

    I know this is a network of survivors, and maybe I shouldn't be on here, but I didn't know where else to go. I went to 4 doctors over the year before I could get the exam today!!!  I will say after the procedure the nurse and the anesthesiologist said he was extremely thorough and took alot of time.  I really can't thank everyone here enough for being so good to me through this!!! <3<3<3:) I plan to B R E AT H E now until I get the results. Also looking into the prolapse now that I have the referral. :) Hugs and best wishes!

    THANK YOU!!!  ttys ;)

     

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #5
    susan hopes said:

    Thank You Marynb and 7243!!! :)

    I went for colonoscopy and he also did a very thorough anal exam... Polyps were removed, 1 was 12mm big, and several samples taken throughout. I will have results in 10 days. No evidence of tumors, but a partial rectal prolapse may require surgery. Doctor said he believes I'm fine, &  hat I need to breathe. The thing is all my symptoms matched everything on line, and its been over a year since they started. My first partial colonoscopy turned up nothing. Then the symptoms got worse and worse. I almost can't go (bm). He said it can be the rectal prolapse. He said if it continued that I should to go to UIC for that surgery.  If the results come back cancer, then I will go to NorthWestern. I have researched, but everyone here is so knowledgeable, I had to ask you here as well. I want my duck in some sort of row if I need them.

    I know this is a network of survivors, and maybe I shouldn't be on here, but I didn't know where else to go. I went to 4 doctors over the year before I could get the exam today!!!  I will say after the procedure the nurse and the anesthesiologist said he was extremely thorough and took alot of time.  I really can't thank everyone here enough for being so good to me through this!!! <3<3<3:) I plan to B R E AT H E now until I get the results. Also looking into the prolapse now that I have the referral. :) Hugs and best wishes!

    THANK YOU!!!  ttys ;)

     

    susan

    I hope you'll get all negative results on the biopsy.  Please let us know.

  • susan hopes
    susan hopes Member Posts: 19
    #6
    mp327 said:

    susan

    I hope you'll get all negative results on the biopsy.  Please let us know.

    colonoscopy shows possible

    colonoscopy shows possible rectal prolapse, and refers me to get futher testing for that. But than my other doctor who also go copy of the

    colonoscopy sent me right away today for CAT. 

    on pins and needles here....

     I will let you know the results of either or both as I get them.

  • susan hopes
    susan hopes Member Posts: 19
    #7
    susan hopes said:

    colonoscopy shows possible

    colonoscopy shows possible rectal prolapse, and refers me to get futher testing for that. But than my other doctor who also go copy of the

    colonoscopy sent me right away today for CAT. 

    on pins and needles here....

     I will let you know the results of either or both as I get them.

    CAT

    After a another emotional and stressful day... Doctor ordered CAT scan right away, and called me this afternoon with results. No cancer found. He reminded me that the polyps and samples are still being tested and those won't be back for 10 days or so. But I'm not as worried as I was, espcially because of the prolapse. I go back tomorrow afternoon for a plan of action to help relieve symptoms and discuss the rectal prolapse that is believed to be the cause of all my symptoms. I want to thank everyone here for all their care, concern and support. I've been reading the boards and have learned so much. I don't comment alot where I've read, because I don't have any informative opinion, and feel I have no place to since I am not a survivor. My sister is, but not I. I can't believe how much information and open everyone is here in sharing their experiences.

    Best Wishes ~ Talk Soon, Susan

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #8
    susan hopes said:

    CAT

    After a another emotional and stressful day... Doctor ordered CAT scan right away, and called me this afternoon with results. No cancer found. He reminded me that the polyps and samples are still being tested and those won't be back for 10 days or so. But I'm not as worried as I was, espcially because of the prolapse. I go back tomorrow afternoon for a plan of action to help relieve symptoms and discuss the rectal prolapse that is believed to be the cause of all my symptoms. I want to thank everyone here for all their care, concern and support. I've been reading the boards and have learned so much. I don't comment alot where I've read, because I don't have any informative opinion, and feel I have no place to since I am not a survivor. My sister is, but not I. I can't believe how much information and open everyone is here in sharing their experiences.

    Best Wishes ~ Talk Soon, Susan

    Susan
    I am glad you don't have cancer! Good luck!
  • pializ
    pializ Member Posts: 508 Member
    #9
    Marynb said:

    Susan
    I am glad you don't have cancer! Good luck!

    Susan

    Fantastic news. Now to get the prolapse sorted.

    Good luck

    Liz

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #10
    susan hopes said:

    CAT

    After a another emotional and stressful day... Doctor ordered CAT scan right away, and called me this afternoon with results. No cancer found. He reminded me that the polyps and samples are still being tested and those won't be back for 10 days or so. But I'm not as worried as I was, espcially because of the prolapse. I go back tomorrow afternoon for a plan of action to help relieve symptoms and discuss the rectal prolapse that is believed to be the cause of all my symptoms. I want to thank everyone here for all their care, concern and support. I've been reading the boards and have learned so much. I don't comment alot where I've read, because I don't have any informative opinion, and feel I have no place to since I am not a survivor. My sister is, but not I. I can't believe how much information and open everyone is here in sharing their experiences.

    Best Wishes ~ Talk Soon, Susan

    Susan

    This is such good news to hear and I hope you are feeling much less anxious now.  May the biopsies confirm your CT results of no cancer.  I don't think anyone on this board will object to you hanging on here a little bit longer so you can let us know what the plan is to treat the prolapse.  I hope it will be not be too bad and take care of your symptoms.  I wish you all the best. 

Discussion Boards