MD Anderson or Sloan Kettering

Hello,

I have been dealing with doctors for this tumor for over 2 months and learned on 7/11 that it was a sarcoma.  I still do not have a surgery or chemo plan or a hospital.  I have been referred to MD Anderson but have waited a long time.  I have heard that Dr. Singer at Sloan Kettering is great and I am wanting opinions as to which of these 2 hospitals you all would recommend.

I have a huge retroperitoneal spindle cell sarcoma involving kidney, spleen and pancreas.

Thanks,

Billie

I am a patient at MSKCC. I use the doctors and surgerons in the gyn dept, the thoracic dept. I would not hesitate to go to Dr. Singer. He is daring and will do surgery where no other surgeon would dare to go.His specialty is sarcoma surgery especially in abdomen.

I know people who had successful surgery with him. Do you know about the lists on www.acor.org for sarcomas? It would benefit you greatly and you can ask questions of those directly who have sarcomas.

Ro

I would think where you are living should be a major factor.

My partner goes to Sloan and with a rare gynocological sarcoma, but

we don't live that far away.  With all the visits required and perhaps

in your case you have a supportive circle, this should also be a

consideration. 

Hi Billie,

 I realize your message was from a couple of months ago but I also wanted to share my sarcoma frustrations with you... 6 weeks ago my dad discovered a large mass in his abdomen surrounding his kidney, ureter, spleen and iliac artery---- it took us about 3 weeks before we got a diagnosis of Leiomyosarcoma and another 3 weeks before chemo was started--- we had to see a regular oncologist and then transfered to the Univ. of MN and had to meet with surgeons & oncologists.... even now I feel like the "plan" is fairly sketchy as they have not been able to give us a Stage etc.....    Were you able to find a specialist?  If you are in the midwest the University of Minnesota has a strong sarcoma program.

Wishing you peace.....

Why not check out both places. 

I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in 2004.  Many docs said I had 6 to 12 months to live with treatment, but that I could die at any moment.  I searched clinical trials and the right docs for me.  They turned out to be at the U of Minnesota.

There are free flights available and a lot of places have free lodging, so don't let transportation costs be a factor, go to the best place for you. 

On 7/23/2008 jhwker wrote:

Hello,

I have been dealing with doctors for this tumor for over 2 months and learned on 7/11 that it was a sarcoma.  I still do not have a surgery or chemo plan or a hospital.  I have been referred to MD Anderson but have waited a long time.  I have heard that Dr. Singer at Sloan Kettering is great and I am wanting opinions as to which of these 2 hospitals you all would recommend.

I have a huge retroperitoneal spindle cell sarcoma involving kidney, spleen and pancreas.

Thanks,

Billie

Billie,

 I hope this finds you well.  My wife had surgery done by Dr Singer and I would absolutely recomend him to everyone.  He is terrific!