Top 3 hospitals for EC? can someone help?

Donna70
Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi,
On another post Threesenough (welcome to this board, everyone here is helpful and have much experience) wanted to know the top three hospitals in the USA for esophageal cancer, I know many months ago early in my search I saw that Johns Hopkins was #3 but I am not sure of the other 2, thought one was definitely Mayo but wondering if someone else knows this answer? Mr. Marshall I thought you might be able to help. I can't remember how I got that info but I am sure someone must know. Thanks in advance!!
Donna70

Comments

  • RevLee
    RevLee Member Posts: 50
    Listing of hopitals by state
    Hi Donna,

    GO to this website and it will list comprehensive cancer centers by state. We live in Philadelphia and John is going to Fox Chase Cancer Center. We can't say enough about how well he has been treated.

    https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/factsheet/FactsheetSearchResult.aspx?PubLnk=1.2&States='0'&CancerCenterType=1

    Let me know if this works for you.

    Lee
    'RevLee'
  • Islandbayfarm
    Islandbayfarm Member Posts: 21
    Top EC surgeons
    Hi,
    When I researched top EC surgeons for my husband, Tracey Weigel at UW Madison Clinic kept
    coming up.
    She came from Sloan-Kettering and has been teaching esophageal laparoscopic surgery there. We had a fantastic experience with her.
    After reading about Kitten's mis-diagnosis of her esophageal cancer stage at Mayo-she had a tennis ball size tumor, she should have had chemo/rad before surgery- I wouldn't go there!!!

    Hope you can find the best surgeon close to where you live. Then again, cancer is serious.
    Best of luck & prayers,
    Kathy
  • kitten0385
    kitten0385 Member Posts: 248

    Top EC surgeons
    Hi,
    When I researched top EC surgeons for my husband, Tracey Weigel at UW Madison Clinic kept
    coming up.
    She came from Sloan-Kettering and has been teaching esophageal laparoscopic surgery there. We had a fantastic experience with her.
    After reading about Kitten's mis-diagnosis of her esophageal cancer stage at Mayo-she had a tennis ball size tumor, she should have had chemo/rad before surgery- I wouldn't go there!!!

    Hope you can find the best surgeon close to where you live. Then again, cancer is serious.
    Best of luck & prayers,
    Kathy

    Mayo
    I have had nothing but a great experience at Mayo. They did test after test to determine whether to do treatment pre-op or not, and the tumor never lit up and showed anything over a stage 1 or 2, which would allow me to do surgery first. It was only when they went in for surgery that they found the tumor was much more advanced. The doctor's mistakes?? I don't believe so, they did so much for me trying to pinpoint exactly what was going on. At Mayo I have scans in the morning and am meeting with my oncologist and getting the results just a few hours later

    Cathy
  • Betty in Vegas
    Betty in Vegas Member Posts: 290 Member

    Mayo
    I have had nothing but a great experience at Mayo. They did test after test to determine whether to do treatment pre-op or not, and the tumor never lit up and showed anything over a stage 1 or 2, which would allow me to do surgery first. It was only when they went in for surgery that they found the tumor was much more advanced. The doctor's mistakes?? I don't believe so, they did so much for me trying to pinpoint exactly what was going on. At Mayo I have scans in the morning and am meeting with my oncologist and getting the results just a few hours later

    Cathy

    Well us news and world
    Well us news and world report just rated the top cancer hospitals and md anderson came out on top. I know the fact they use proton therapy for ec made a huge difference to us. Sloan kettering is often noted by many ec survivors as is dana farber and mayo.

    Most important is that you have knowledgable people doing research--not using what was standard 20 yrs ago. You also must feel comfortable with them. If you want to know abt any of our experiences w our hospitals you can contact anyone here I am sure all would oblige. I know we love to tell of our results.

    My hubby was given the 4 month speech at home. He was stage iv m1a. Yesterday we were told nothing is lighting on the pet scan and we had endoscopy today. Our surgery --to make sure, the decision was left to us--is scheduled oct 29 unless a cancellation let's us move up. His radiation was easy in comparison to most--no feeding tube--a bit tired but that was it. (Proton hits only the cancer not surrounding tissues). From a sentence of death to a hope for life--that is what md anderson gave us.

    So look around. Ask patients. Be comfortable w your choice--for you. You are unique and what you need is different than what we might or joe blow might. And pray on your decision.

    Betty
  • Islandbayfarm
    Islandbayfarm Member Posts: 21

    Mayo
    I have had nothing but a great experience at Mayo. They did test after test to determine whether to do treatment pre-op or not, and the tumor never lit up and showed anything over a stage 1 or 2, which would allow me to do surgery first. It was only when they went in for surgery that they found the tumor was much more advanced. The doctor's mistakes?? I don't believe so, they did so much for me trying to pinpoint exactly what was going on. At Mayo I have scans in the morning and am meeting with my oncologist and getting the results just a few hours later

    Cathy

    Tumor never lit up
    Cathy,

    That is so frightening that a tennis ball size tumor didn't light up.
    Does that mean when we have clean scans, false sense of security??!!
    More Dr. questions.
    I'm happy to hear you are pleased with your care at Mayo. I didn't understand that from
    your previous email.

    Praying that you are on the mend.

    Still think one should shop for the surgeon doing the most successful surgeries
    for your TYPE of cancer:) us news topic CANCER covers a lot of turf.

    peace,
    Kathy
  • Betty in Vegas
    Betty in Vegas Member Posts: 290 Member

    Tumor never lit up
    Cathy,

    That is so frightening that a tennis ball size tumor didn't light up.
    Does that mean when we have clean scans, false sense of security??!!
    More Dr. questions.
    I'm happy to hear you are pleased with your care at Mayo. I didn't understand that from
    your previous email.

    Praying that you are on the mend.

    Still think one should shop for the surgeon doing the most successful surgeries
    for your TYPE of cancer:) us news topic CANCER covers a lot of turf.

    peace,
    Kathy

    surgeons
    Yes that is so right. Our surgeon does three of these a week and they also have the number one rated radiologist for ec in the united states. You want someone working in ec and seeing it daily. You should ask "do you see only ec patients and if not,what is your mix of patients?". Ask if they have authored studies in ec. Look their names up in medical journals (most cancer centers have med libraries patients can use.). Very good point Kathy.
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member

    Mayo
    I have had nothing but a great experience at Mayo. They did test after test to determine whether to do treatment pre-op or not, and the tumor never lit up and showed anything over a stage 1 or 2, which would allow me to do surgery first. It was only when they went in for surgery that they found the tumor was much more advanced. The doctor's mistakes?? I don't believe so, they did so much for me trying to pinpoint exactly what was going on. At Mayo I have scans in the morning and am meeting with my oncologist and getting the results just a few hours later

    Cathy

    Mayo
    Hi Kitten,
    Praying for you and that everything gets better and they move you on to some resolution of the blockage. I just wanted to add that none of my tumor lit up in my Pet/Cat scan and neither did my positive lymph node. They told me originally it must be under 1 cm. When the EUS was done then only did they realize it was 4 cms and also in the lymph node. Now I am scared everytime I think of a pre op PET scan not showing the true picture of what is happening inside of me. take care and many hugs and prayers, Kitten Cathy.
    Donna70
  • Betty in Vegas
    Betty in Vegas Member Posts: 290 Member
    Donna70 said:

    Mayo
    Hi Kitten,
    Praying for you and that everything gets better and they move you on to some resolution of the blockage. I just wanted to add that none of my tumor lit up in my Pet/Cat scan and neither did my positive lymph node. They told me originally it must be under 1 cm. When the EUS was done then only did they realize it was 4 cms and also in the lymph node. Now I am scared everytime I think of a pre op PET scan not showing the true picture of what is happening inside of me. take care and many hugs and prayers, Kitten Cathy.
    Donna70

    Kitten...question
    Did they do an EUS on you or just a PET and CT? Your situation really does give us all pause to consider how true what they see is... do you mind us begging you for information?

    Hugs...
    Betty
  • Threesenough
    Threesenough Member Posts: 3

    Kitten...question
    Did they do an EUS on you or just a PET and CT? Your situation really does give us all pause to consider how true what they see is... do you mind us begging you for information?

    Hugs...
    Betty

    Top hospitals for EC
    Hello all,
    A big thank you to all who posted here. I finally have some time to research the suggestions given here. My hubby is miserable from the persistent nausea, vomiting and pain. Chemo and radiation worked great, quality of life miserable.

    Thank you again!

    Threesenough
  • kitten0385
    kitten0385 Member Posts: 248

    Kitten...question
    Did they do an EUS on you or just a PET and CT? Your situation really does give us all pause to consider how true what they see is... do you mind us begging you for information?

    Hugs...
    Betty

    EUS
    I had a EUS, but my esophagus was too blocked and they couldn't get all the way through, so they couldn't get a clear picture with that either.
  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440

    Well us news and world
    Well us news and world report just rated the top cancer hospitals and md anderson came out on top. I know the fact they use proton therapy for ec made a huge difference to us. Sloan kettering is often noted by many ec survivors as is dana farber and mayo.

    Most important is that you have knowledgable people doing research--not using what was standard 20 yrs ago. You also must feel comfortable with them. If you want to know abt any of our experiences w our hospitals you can contact anyone here I am sure all would oblige. I know we love to tell of our results.

    My hubby was given the 4 month speech at home. He was stage iv m1a. Yesterday we were told nothing is lighting on the pet scan and we had endoscopy today. Our surgery --to make sure, the decision was left to us--is scheduled oct 29 unless a cancellation let's us move up. His radiation was easy in comparison to most--no feeding tube--a bit tired but that was it. (Proton hits only the cancer not surrounding tissues). From a sentence of death to a hope for life--that is what md anderson gave us.

    So look around. Ask patients. Be comfortable w your choice--for you. You are unique and what you need is different than what we might or joe blow might. And pray on your decision.

    Betty

    A surgery date!!!
    Hi Betty,

    Did I miss something I did know that you guys were good to go for surgery.. Thats great!!
    and your right to never give up there is always hope. You are living proof of that.

    God Bless
    Kath
  • pat126
    pat126 Member Posts: 2
    Best Surgical Care
    Dr. Mark Orringer is one of the best and most experienced surgeons in the world for esophageal cancer. He is at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He provides outstanding and compassionate care. His patients have very good outcomes due to his meticulous care. You can view a video on line at the U of M of his surgical procedure. Well worth the trip from any where in the country.
  • pat126
    pat126 Member Posts: 2
    Best Surgical Care
    Dr. Mark Orringer is one of the best and most experienced surgeons in the world for esophageal cancer. He is at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He provides outstanding and compassionate care. His patients have very good outcomes due to his meticulous care. You can view a video on line at the U of M of his surgical procedure. Well worth the trip from any where in the country.
  • aunti_m
    aunti_m Member Posts: 41
    We loved Mayo
    We went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester and had wonderful care! The system there is so efficient and everyone was so helpful. We went there for a second opinion after my husbands dx. We didn't recieve any treatments just had losts of tests done. What would have taken two weeks to get done here in town only took 2 days at Mayo. My sister-in-law is head of cancer research at Mount Sinai down in Florida and through her friends and co-workers she gave us a doctors name in Madison (closer for us). I tried to find the name in my saved mail but couldn't find it, I sent her another email to see if she could get the doctors name again I'll add it to the post as soon as I get it. Hope this helps.
  • runabe
    runabe Member Posts: 48
    edited December 2016 #16
    aunti_m said:

    We loved Mayo
    We went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester and had wonderful care! The system there is so efficient and everyone was so helpful. We went there for a second opinion after my husbands dx. We didn't recieve any treatments just had losts of tests done. What would have taken two weeks to get done here in town only took 2 days at Mayo. My sister-in-law is head of cancer research at Mount Sinai down in Florida and through her friends and co-workers she gave us a doctors name in Madison (closer for us). I tried to find the name in my saved mail but couldn't find it, I sent her another email to see if she could get the doctors name again I'll add it to the post as soon as I get it. Hope this helps.

    SLOAN-KETTERING Saved my wife Linda

    I think Sloan is Tops We had a GREAT expirience there Our doctor Dr Florez was the best He told me after surgery it was the man upstaires I argue this point with William Marshall I held his hands and told him it was the hands that did it Maybe i am partial to Sloan but in my opinion I feel it is the best Good luck with your treatments Abe AKA Runabe