Latest messages for CancerCompass discussion http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,31742,0.htm Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/        Hi:     You know sometimes I'm skeptical about the fact that the majority     of thoracic surgeons do push the standard procedures of doing an     IV operation while shying away from the laproscopic method.The    question in my mind is ; are they doing this because they   don't have the proper training & experience in laproscopic or are  the current standard methods truly superior? They claim that they have a better chance of removing all of the cancer with the standard methods than they do through the laproscopic method. What can they see when they open someone up that they can't see through a pet scan? Additionally, if a pet scan can not detecta cancerous spot that is smaller than a dime, what is the surgeonlikely to see with his/her human eyesight? I can see the necessityof the standard procedure if the scans detect a metastic situationto other organs but suppose it's only a one or a few lymph nodes?Why cant this be done on a minimally invasive basis? This whole approach by the medical community in general when it does come down to esophageal surgery does provide a needto have some additional clarification & insight for patients.Are we being denied certain options because of the lack ofskill and training on the part of the doctors? I inquired abouthaving laproscopic surgery done by a certain doctor on a 3cm--1 lymph node situation--his response was----"naahh! I want to get in there and see what's going on".What the hell is that supposed to mean? I'm supposed to accept that? These people aren't gods. They make many errors-particularly when it comes to prognosis. I'm reading more & more about docs who are performing sucessful lapro surgeries for esophageal cancer.Is this all baloney or is it that it's easier for the docs to do the standard operational procedure rather than to go out there and get the additional training?      Any opinions?--------Bob S. Bob_S Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT