Second Opinions???

Hi, I am writing to find out where to go for a second opinion for my mom's bile duct cancer.  She lives in South Carolina and I live in Pennsylvania-so, anywhere in between.  I heard that Mayo has a great reputation.  Do any of you know of any other hosptials to look into?  Thank you.

 

On 2/25/2009 Maryin PA wrote:

Hi, I am writing to find out where to go for a second opinion for my mom's bile duct cancer.  She lives in South Carolina and I live in Pennsylvania-so, anywhere in between.  I heard that Mayo has a great reputation.  Do any of you know of any other hosptials to look into?  Thank you.

 

Hi! 

 I was reading about your message and mom is going through the same thing problem.  Although, she was told she had bile duct cancer it is also in the head of the pancreas, which is what I was told Pancreatic Cancer. 

  I highly recommend Shands hosital in Gainsville Florida, they were wonderful.  The doctor we talked to was Dr. Robin Kim, he is very direct and easy to understand.  I know its not where you live, but its worth a try.  Here is the number for his office maybe this can help 352-265-0111.  I have also heard that MD Anderson is also a very good place as well.

If you dont mind me asking when was she diagnosed with her bile duct cancer.  I would like to find out more if you can help me. I sent a message regarding my mom about this diagnosis too.  I know that any bit can help.  Does your mom have a internal/external bile bag? 

I hope that this information helps

Sincerely,

Ashlee

 

 

Sorry to hear about your mom. Emory university Clinic-Hospital is one of the best in the country. I am a cancer  survior for almost 4 year's for tongue base cancer. I would walk to Emory. They are the best. Many people come from South Carolina & further away. If she has to have  treaments check with them about the Hope House through american cancer society. I believe if you are over a certain mileage you stay free. There is a lot of help through ACS. Check with them. I will be praying for your mom & you

Blessings,Debi

On 2/25/2009 Maryin PA wrote:

Hi, I am writing to find out where to go for a second opinion for my mom's bile duct cancer.  She lives in South Carolina and I live in Pennsylvania-so, anywhere in between.  I heard that Mayo has a great reputation.  Do any of you know of any other hosptials to look into?  Thank you.

I'd  look for an MD  who's been through ACAM, American College for Advance in Medicine's training.  Google search the Association and they have a physician locator.

My sister has bile duct cancer and went to Shands at the University of Florida.  I know it's not between you, but bile duct cancer is fairly rare and has a tendency to recur.  My sister had a Whipple, then radiation for 3 weeks, then 12 rounds of chemo.  She is doing extremely well now, and everything seems to be gone.  She was also considering Mayo in Jacksonville, but Shands was able to schedule her sooner; that was last August.  Good luck.

Hi,

For a second opinion, you definitely need to go to a research facility. If it were me, I would consult UPenn in Philadelphia,  and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. 

These were the facilities from which my husband was getting second opinions for a different type of cancer.

If you are willing to travel, MD Anderson in Texas has an incredible reputation. 

If radiation is indicated, check out Indiana University Hospital's Midwest Center for Proton Radiotherapy (I believe that is the name--google it), which has fewer side effects than IMRT, but is also very effective. 

My husband is currently getting treatment at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. We are treated with such respect, concern, and kindness, and our needs as a family are ALWAYS taken in consideration before decisions are made. We feel as if we are part of the team, and communication is what seems to set this facility apart from other research facilities for us.

Everyone, from cafeteria workers and custodial staff, all the way to doctors who are tops in the nation in research, treat us with respect. I don't know how they do it! We are in Presence when we are here.

Also...parking is $2.00 per day. At UPenn it was $20.00 per day. Ann Arbor was easy to find, and easy to navigate. U Penn was more difficult to navigate. But Jacksonville is WARM!

Best wishes to you and your mother as you seek the best treatment for her.

Linda

On 2/25/2009 Maryin PA wrote:

Hi, I am writing to find out where to go for a second opinion for my mom's bile duct cancer.  She lives in South Carolina and I live in Pennsylvania-so, anywhere in between.  I heard that Mayo has a great reputation.  Do any of you know of any other hosptials to look into?  Thank you.

Duke Cancer Center in Durham, NC is said to be one of the best.

 

On 2/25/2009 Maryin PA wrote:

Hi, I am writing to find out where to go for a second opinion for my mom's bile duct cancer.  She lives in South Carolina and I live in Pennsylvania-so, anywhere in between.  I heard that Mayo has a great reputation.  Do any of you know of any other hosptials to look into?  Thank you.

 

My sister goes to Cancer Treatment Center in Phila PA and swears by them.  They have other locations but Im not sure where they are........maybe you should go on the net and look it up..... Good luck!!!

I would highly recommend the pancreas center at johns hopkins.  I have recently started a foundation and hopkins will be the beneficiary of my fundraising and during this journey have learned a great deal about them.  They are also active in research, something very important in your mother's case.  My notes and contact information are in my other office so I can give you phone numbers etc. as soon as I get it if you are interested.  Just e-mail me directly at

--Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html--

.  Here is the best my memory can do.  It's the pancreas center at johns hopkins and my contact is dr. hrveck, I think that's the spelling.  Again, e-mail me for more information.  As a general rule of thumb, best outcomes for any cancer are based on high volume. Always ask how many of the particular cancers you are interested in have they treated. 

jo

IMPORTANT....The best to see is Dr. Charles Yeo at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.  We saw the big names, including Hopkins. Yeo was the only one who said bile duct, not pancreatic like they all said and had treated her for  for 9 months.  He is chief surgeon and she sailed thru surgury at 80 years old   She is still running around today.

 

Good luck with your Mom