What type of surgeon should do the biopsy?

T3rri
T3rri Member Posts: 23
edited October 2016 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

My husband recently had an aspiration of his lymph nodes on the left side if his neck. The pathology report came back with carcinoma. A biopsy of the back tongue and sinus area etc needs to be performed. The surgical oncologist that was recommended has great qualifications but only 1 -1/2  years experience. A general surgeon with 35 years experience has also been recommended by our dermatologist whom we trust, but of course he is not expert in ent. Would we be better off going to MDAnderson or Massachusetts General (Masss Gen rates #1 in nation for ENT and has surgical oncologists)? So confused, time is of the essence, any thoughts are appreciated. I forgot to mention, he also has had prostate cancer which has come back....

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    I'd get an ENT...

    They're the "pros" at head and neck cancer.  Tho I'm sure the surgical Onc can do a biopsy without a problem.  1 1/2 years experience is fine if he does biopsies every week.  If he's only done two in his life, well...that's different.  Is there any ENT's close to you who could do the biopsy....then you could decide where to go for treatment.  Where are you located?

    p

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    edited October 2016 #3
    Do not go local.

    You should go to a major hospital that has a tumor board. You want someone who is an ENT surgeon and has years of experience. Having a great hospital surgeon that takes out appendix is not what you want. They will be cutting all around the nerves in your neck and working around the Juggler and carotid arteries.  I was cut from ear to ear and then my larynx removed and 86 lymph glands removed. I have seen many that were disfigured by "Good" surgeons. Going where they do this all the time is much better. You want a good cancer dept, and also a very good ENT doctors. If they do radiation it is 5 days a week for 6 weeks or so. There are many very good hospitals in almost every state. I will include a link that you can check cancer and ENT and see which may be best for you.  I know many that went to UCLA which is rates very high. I went to Stanford which was ( in ENT and 10 in Cancer then. I came out so much better they did and with much fewer problems. 

    http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/ear-nose-and-throat

    Bill

  • T3rri
    T3rri Member Posts: 23
    #4
    phrannie51 said:

    I'd get an ENT...

    They're the "pros" at head and neck cancer.  Tho I'm sure the surgical Onc can do a biopsy without a problem.  1 1/2 years experience is fine if he does biopsies every week.  If he's only done two in his life, well...that's different.  Is there any ENT's close to you who could do the biopsy....then you could decide where to go for treatment.  Where are you located?

    p

    Southwest Florida. I

    Southwest Florida. I appreciate the information. 

  • T3rri
    T3rri Member Posts: 23
    #5
    wmc said:

    Do not go local.

    You should go to a major hospital that has a tumor board. You want someone who is an ENT surgeon and has years of experience. Having a great hospital surgeon that takes out appendix is not what you want. They will be cutting all around the nerves in your neck and working around the Juggler and carotid arteries.  I was cut from ear to ear and then my larynx removed and 86 lymph glands removed. I have seen many that were disfigured by "Good" surgeons. Going where they do this all the time is much better. You want a good cancer dept, and also a very good ENT doctors. If they do radiation it is 5 days a week for 6 weeks or so. There are many very good hospitals in almost every state. I will include a link that you can check cancer and ENT and see which may be best for you.  I know many that went to UCLA which is rates very high. I went to Stanford which was ( in ENT and 10 in Cancer then. I came out so much better they did and with much fewer problems. 

    http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/ear-nose-and-throat

    Bill

    Thank you

    Funny, but your link is the same as I have been using, good news. Mass General has several doctors that appeared to have credentials related to our needs. How do I navigate their system to identify which surgeon to trust? Thanks for your help.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #6
    I don't think you have to navigate

    Mass General's system to get someone you trust.  Chances are more than high, that whoever you get is going to be darn good.  They don't get ratings like that if they have a schelper in the group.

    p

  • T3rri
    T3rri Member Posts: 23
    #7
    phrannie51 said:

    I don't think you have to navigate

    Mass General's system to get someone you trust.  Chances are more than high, that whoever you get is going to be darn good.  They don't get ratings like that if they have a schelper in the group.

    p

    Thanks

    i appreciate the direction, it means a lot to have people who have experience help navigate the way. 

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #8
    Location, Location, Location

    Depending where in South West Florida, you can go north to Tampa, Moffit Cancer Center or go east to Miami, Sylverster Cancer Center.  Both have good reputations and are cancer specialized hospitals.

  • lornal
    lornal Member Posts: 428
    edited October 2016 #9
    Florida

    I don't know anything about florida (i.e. were towns are except Pensacola).

    I'm in St. Louis and the ENT that saved my life moved to Florida last year - Celebration I think.

    Dr. Bruce Haughey.  He was the chief ENT doc at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital.  Highly rated.

    Lorna

  • T3rri
    T3rri Member Posts: 23
    #10
    SASH said:

    Location, Location, Location

    Depending where in South West Florida, you can go north to Tampa, Moffit Cancer Center or go east to Miami, Sylverster Cancer Center.  Both have good reputations and are cancer specialized hospitals.

    Miami

    I have made an appointment at the Cancer Center to meet with a Dr. Weed, ENT, Also stirring a couple of other pots....many thanks for this information. 

  • T3rri
    T3rri Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2016 #11
    lornal said:

    Florida

    I don't know anything about florida (i.e. were towns are except Pensacola).

    I'm in St. Louis and the ENT that saved my life moved to Florida last year - Celebration I think.

    Dr. Bruce Haughey.  He was the chief ENT doc at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital.  Highly rated.

    Lorna

    Celebration

    Lorna: I will definitely check Dr. Haughty out. Celebration is excellent, that is where my husband had his prostate surgery. Hope you are doing well now. Thanks!

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    edited October 2016 #12
    T3rri said:

    Miami

    I have made an appointment at the Cancer Center to meet with a Dr. Weed, ENT, Also stirring a couple of other pots....many thanks for this information. 

    Dr. Weed

    Dr. Weed is great. I didn't use him, but do know him.  

  • T3rri
    T3rri Member Posts: 23
    #13
    SASH said:

    Dr. Weed

    Dr. Weed is great. I didn't use him, but do know him.  

    Going there

    Seeing him Monday, hoping for the best. Thanks!!!

Discussion Boards