Best Radiation Oncologists in NJ/NYC area?

Katie10485
Katie10485 Member Posts: 41
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello,

My dad is getting ready for the next step in this journey, which will be radiation.  We wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations of top radiation oncologists for oral cancer/head and neck cancer in the NJ/NYC area.  He will need radiation to the base of his tongue as well as his neck where he had a modified radical neck dissection.  Does anyone have any good experiences that you can share?  He has had surgery at Morristown Medical Center in NJ and also sought a second opinion for surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  He will definitely go back to see rad. onc at MSKCC as well and has appt on 10/20 with rad onc in Morristown.  Seeking any other valuable recommendations and suggestions.  Thank you!

 

 

Comments

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #2
    MSKCC AAA+++

    Hi,

    My ENT is a head/neck specialist who was selected for a fellowhsip at MSKCC. He is in California but I have absolute trust in him. Incredibly experienced and skillful. There is no finer place than MSKCC.

  • Bart T
    Bart T Member Posts: 62 Member
    #3
    SLOAN WAS GOOD TO ME

    I was treated at Sloan in NYC, and feel they did a very good job on me. I spent a few days as an inpatient for a hemiglossectomy and neck dissection, then did 30 radiation treatments and a few chemo treatments. I never realized how much of a difference the nurses can make, but I can't image finding a better bunch than I did there. All of the radiation people were very nice and did everything they could do to make me comfortable. I was happy with the doctors, but my contact with them was much more limited than was my contact with the nurses and technicians. 

    Compared to some people, I'm doing good. Two years out - no sign of cancer. I eat, talk and do everything I did before cancer, including enjoying life in general. I have some annoying side effects, but nothing that I can't handle. How of much that was due to me getting excellent care, how much was due to other factors, I'll never know, but I'm willing to give a lot of credit to good medical care. 

    The bad part of my high praise for Sloan is that I have nothing to compare it with. It was the fist and only place I went, so I have no idea how they compare to other facilities. I'm sure there are other fine facilities in various places. As you're well aware they have an excellent reputation, and reputations, are earned, not bestowed. 

     

    Whatever the decision, I wish you and your dad the best. 

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #4
    katie, i don't know about new

    katie, i don't know about new york but wanted to wish you good luck in finding the best for your dad.  praying tx goes well and smoothly.

    God bless you and him,

    dj

  • Redbanker
    Redbanker Member Posts: 36
    #5
    Best Radiation Oncologist

    With MSK available to you I don't imagine you want to/have to travel farther.  Also once a daily treatment is over--especially on days that follow chemo, the patient just wants to get home asap.  So my recommendation would require a long trek, but I offer it because this doctor deserves all the plaudits he can get and you never know if someone just starting out living in this area might benefit: Sang Sim at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.  Dr. Sim is smart, tough when he has to be, inventive, determined, available, and supportive.  He's going to get you through your course of treatment.  He graduated first in his class from NJUMD and took his residency at Sloan Kettering where he was the chief resident in his final year.  He worked for Sloan Kettering after completing his training and I'm under the impression that Monmouth wooed him to add more muscle to their radiation department.  

    I'm pretty fussy about doctors because my dad was one.  He taught me about the ones for whom it was just a racket and those for whom it was a calling.  Dr. Sim falls into the latter grouping.  Nick is now 3.5 years out from completing his treatment for the same DX your father's been given and Dr. Sim is the doctor who is managing his ongoing oversight, e.g., getting him through his failing thyroid.  He is not so wrapped up in his sub-specialty that he has forgotten how to be a generalist--he is an excellent internist.  I have complete faith in this guy.

    Good luck.  

     

    Nancy

     

     

     

     

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #6
    Look up Dr. Nancy Lee on the Sloan Kettering web site

    If I lived in NY/NJ I would have gone to her. They have a video of her and a patient and his wife.  She is impressive and with a bedside manner that one needs during this treatment.  I did go to a radiation oncologist who was trained by her.  Best to you.

    PJ

  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    #7
    PJ47 said:

    Look up Dr. Nancy Lee on the Sloan Kettering web site

    If I lived in NY/NJ I would have gone to her. They have a video of her and a patient and his wife.  She is impressive and with a bedside manner that one needs during this treatment.  I did go to a radiation oncologist who was trained by her.  Best to you.

    PJ

    Dr schupak in basking ridge nj

    I had my radiation treatment under Dr. Schupak at MSKCC, BAsking Ridge. I really like her. Early on I had thought she was pushing for too many pain meds but towards the end i realized that was needed. She is very nice and talks to you thru everything. She also recomeded i do not have the peg and I that worked out really good.

    Only complaint i have is that MSKCC tends to be using tried and proven treatments so at times they dont embrace latest technology. They also tend to be aggressive in treatment. Their explaination for approach is they dont want to take any chances.

     

  • Katie10485
    Katie10485 Member Posts: 41
    #8
    Sam999 said:

    Dr schupak in basking ridge nj

    I had my radiation treatment under Dr. Schupak at MSKCC, BAsking Ridge. I really like her. Early on I had thought she was pushing for too many pain meds but towards the end i realized that was needed. She is very nice and talks to you thru everything. She also recomeded i do not have the peg and I that worked out really good.

    Only complaint i have is that MSKCC tends to be using tried and proven treatments so at times they dont embrace latest technology. They also tend to be aggressive in treatment. Their explaination for approach is they dont want to take any chances.

     

    thank you everyone!!!

    Everyone, thank you for all the great comments and recommendations!  I compiled them all and sent them to my parents.  They are working this week on radiation oncologist appointments.  Ready to move forward!!! 

  • Lalitms
    Lalitms Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2016 #9
    I need reviews for Dr Shupack
    I need reviews for Dr Shupack in memorial Sloan in Basking Ridge facility. My husband is diagnosed with stage 1 vocal cord cancer and dr shupack is suggesting 6 weeks radiation. We are also awaiting CT scan to finalize the stage. I googled online and found 1 review that was very negative. Any suggestions here would be appreciated. Thanks all and God bless you !

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