UCLA

alexinlv
alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Does anyone know anthing about UCLA regarding oncology and liver surgeons/specialists? (Our insurance will work with ucla.) Being in Vegas, we want to get out and find a specialist.. if liver surgery is even a possiblilty for Tony. He is having a scan nov. 11 and his onc refered him to a general surgeon here. I'm not happy with that. There has to be someone who specializes in the liver.

Alex

Comments

  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #2
    Obviously can't help you since I'm in Barcelona but I think
    an specialized surgeon is a very wise decision !
    Hugs!
  • alexinlv
    alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
    #3
    I'm not crazy to think that
    I'm not crazy to think that a general surgeon is not good enough at this point, right? Also, they did not do a biopsy of the liver lesions.
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    #4
    I'm a novice just like you
    I'm a novice just like you and I am hoping we will be in similar shoes soon as my husband's next scan is Nov. 7th but I think you would want to discuss options with an oncological surgeon rather than a general surgeon. Lisa
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #5
    From the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
    website:

    As the most experienced liver transplantation program in the western United States, UCLA serves patients from California, Oregon, Washington, and throughout the Southwest, and acts as a tertiary referral center for other transplant programs faced with particularly challenging cases.

    Just guessing, but I would guess this qualifies them as one of the top liver centers in the country...

    UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center CRC Page

    Hope this helps.

    Blake
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #6
    You are not wrong to think that!
    I would absolutley want a specialist at this point. My husband goes to UW MADISON and everyone he sees is a specialist i.e. liver, colon, RFA, Onc. I don't have a problem with general surgeons for routine things but we aren't exactly in a routine here. :)
    I see Blake did some home work for you, You're one cool dude Blake. ;)
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #7
    alexinlv said:

    I'm not crazy to think that
    I'm not crazy to think that a general surgeon is not good enough at this point, right? Also, they did not do a biopsy of the liver lesions.

    By all means---Go with the
    By all means---Go with the specialized training!
    xo
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #8
    Hi Alex:)
    I'm not surprised that your onc referred you to a general surgeon. A few years ago when I was working on my liver, my onc did the same thing to me. The doctors like to "keep it all in the family" as it were and funnel business between them. It's not uncommon, but it does send the message that your health is not the top priority on their minds.

    I told my guy (then) that I had found a guy in Georgia that I wanted to consult with. He asked me why I wanted to do that? And I told him, because I wanted 'to live' and that this the liver we're talking about and I don't feel I get good surgical care in my city.

    His attitude went 180 and he ended up referring to me a specialist at Baylor Medical Center. The liver surgeon was a pioneer in the field of RFA and a liver transplant surgeon, who was world renowned and did teaching around the world.

    So, I went from "worst to 1st" by taking the wheel and driving the bus, as they say.

    Absolutely, find a liver surgeon - you want a specialist here and for any type of major organ system. Sounds like UCLA will be your choice - that seems conveinent and fits your insurance needs as well. There's bound to be a good associate professor or head professor on board there who will see to your needs.

    Teaching hospitals are a great resource for specialists as they must teach and are therefore up to date on the latest and greatest. I did my lung stuff when I switched oncological practices and then moved my whole healthcare down to the new hospital in our area. I've never looked back.

    Wishing you well in this endeavor and will be anxious to read what you find out.

    -Craig
  • alexinlv
    alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
    #9
    buckeye2 said:

    I'm a novice just like you
    I'm a novice just like you and I am hoping we will be in similar shoes soon as my husband's next scan is Nov. 7th but I think you would want to discuss options with an oncological surgeon rather than a general surgeon. Lisa

    Hi Lisa. Tonys scan will be
    Hi Lisa. Tonys scan will be Nov 11. well have to keep in touch!
  • alexinlv
    alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
    #10
    Buckwirth said:

    From the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
    website:

    As the most experienced liver transplantation program in the western United States, UCLA serves patients from California, Oregon, Washington, and throughout the Southwest, and acts as a tertiary referral center for other transplant programs faced with particularly challenging cases.

    Just guessing, but I would guess this qualifies them as one of the top liver centers in the country...

    UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center CRC Page

    Hope this helps.

    Blake

    I was just looking this up
    I was just looking this up today. so do you think that I just call? do we call our onc here and talk to him asap about our wants? Im not sure how to approach it. we can't wai until the appt on nov 18 with onc. we have to get the ball rolling right?thanks Blake.
  • alexinlv
    alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
    #11
    Brenda Bricco said:

    You are not wrong to think that!
    I would absolutley want a specialist at this point. My husband goes to UW MADISON and everyone he sees is a specialist i.e. liver, colon, RFA, Onc. I don't have a problem with general surgeons for routine things but we aren't exactly in a routine here. :)
    I see Blake did some home work for you, You're one cool dude Blake. ;)

    yep. I agree. thanks!

    yep. I agree. thanks!
  • alexinlv
    alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
    #12
    Sundanceh said:

    Hi Alex:)
    I'm not surprised that your onc referred you to a general surgeon. A few years ago when I was working on my liver, my onc did the same thing to me. The doctors like to "keep it all in the family" as it were and funnel business between them. It's not uncommon, but it does send the message that your health is not the top priority on their minds.

    I told my guy (then) that I had found a guy in Georgia that I wanted to consult with. He asked me why I wanted to do that? And I told him, because I wanted 'to live' and that this the liver we're talking about and I don't feel I get good surgical care in my city.

    His attitude went 180 and he ended up referring to me a specialist at Baylor Medical Center. The liver surgeon was a pioneer in the field of RFA and a liver transplant surgeon, who was world renowned and did teaching around the world.

    So, I went from "worst to 1st" by taking the wheel and driving the bus, as they say.

    Absolutely, find a liver surgeon - you want a specialist here and for any type of major organ system. Sounds like UCLA will be your choice - that seems conveinent and fits your insurance needs as well. There's bound to be a good associate professor or head professor on board there who will see to your needs.

    Teaching hospitals are a great resource for specialists as they must teach and are therefore up to date on the latest and greatest. I did my lung stuff when I switched oncological practices and then moved my whole healthcare down to the new hospital in our area. I've never looked back.

    Wishing you well in this endeavor and will be anxious to read what you find out.

    -Craig

    We were thinking the same
    We were thinking the same thing about how these doctors must just be friends or something. it's amazing how something as important as liver surgery could be so flippantly arranged in a few sentences by the oncologist. so if the patient asks no questions it's just a done deal. there aren't many choices here though. thanks for the info, Craig!
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #13
    alexinlv said:

    I was just looking this up
    I was just looking this up today. so do you think that I just call? do we call our onc here and talk to him asap about our wants? Im not sure how to approach it. we can't wai until the appt on nov 18 with onc. we have to get the ball rolling right?thanks Blake.

    Per Insurance
    You usually have to be "referred" by your onc, so I would call the onc's office and request that you be referred to a liver surgeon at UCLA as soon as possible, as you don't want to have to wait for your Nov 18th appt, which will cause a longer wait to see the liver surgeon at UCLA. Be firm!!
    You are absolutely right in wanting a specialist, my onc had referred me to an all-around surgeon (I think his specialty was varicous veins)but since the tumor board turned me down (he being one of them) I lucked into Stanford and had specialists for all three different body parts, I've got to say, I think when you're messing with cancer and your body innards, I'd stick to specialists only.
    Good luck, and that was wise thinking on your part!!!
    Winter Marie

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