Question about the Cancer Treatment Centers of America

As far as I know with what I've learned about my stomach cancer, surgery is only done if the physician believes that they can get ALL the cancer, or, if surgery is needed to relieve some tumor blocking the esophagus for example, for better quality of life.  That would be pretty poor if the surgery is done just for the money and it doesn't help the patient.  What does a second opinion reveal?

I have heard that Cancer Center of America will keep going after other providers feel they have done all they can and patients and families don't want to give up yet.  My friend told me, her husband died of pancreatic cancer, that going the extra treatment did not help her husband, his quality of life at the end was much worse than it had to be due to continued treatment, he died anyway, "but the bills keep coming"-- that is a quote from her.

On Oct 29, 2009 1:37 PM neenjeanne wrote:

As far as I know with what I've learned about my stomach cancer, surgery is only done if the physician believes that they can get ALL the cancer, or, if surgery is needed to relieve some tumor blocking the esophagus for example, for better quality of life.  That would be pretty poor if the surgery is done just for the money and it doesn't help the patient.  What does a second opinion reveal?

Too late for a second opinion, my wife passed away in April and I really feel the unnecessary surgery hastened the death. We had gone to Mexico for alternative treatment and that was working very well. However the incission where they performed surgery kept getting infected and causing us to run back to the hospital and because of all that time lost we couldn't complete the treatments from Mexico. I am very upset with CTCA's practices. I just wanted to warn people and see if anyone else was treated this way. Thanks for your reply.

On Oct 29, 2009 1:41 PM neenjeanne wrote:

I have heard that Cancer Center of America will keep going after other providers feel they have done all they can and patients and families don't want to give up yet.  My friend told me, her husband died of pancreatic cancer, that going the extra treatment did not help her husband, his quality of life at the end was much worse than it had to be due to continued treatment, he died anyway, "but the bills keep coming"-- that is a quote from her.

Your friend's case is a bit different. CTCA made the surgery sound like a sure thing. If we were every told this would be exploritory surgery we wouldn't have went through it. They had no evidence that they had 90% of the cancer. It was a total sham. Sorry for my negativity I am still in roug shape since my wife passed. Thank you for responding I appreciate your time.

I am sure Cancer Treatment Center is probably very good.  We checked into it when my husband was diagnosed with Primary CNS.  The big problem was our insurance wasn't good enough.  I am not sure to this day why since it has covered 100% of all his medical bills minus a co-pay of $35.00 for each doctor's visit. 

I spoke to a rep from CTCA and they were more concerned about our insurance than my husband.  We went elsewhere and he remains in complete remission after 27 months. 

I sometimes believe they (CTCA) continue treatments longer because of your insurance.

Just my opinion.................

On Oct 29, 2009 3:20 PM georgem5 wrote:

On Oct 29, 2009 1:41 PM neenjeanne wrote:

I have heard that Cancer Center of America will keep going after other providers feel they have done all they can and patients and families don't want to give up yet.  My friend told me, her husband died of pancreatic cancer, that going the extra treatment did not help her husband, his quality of life at the end was much worse than it had to be due to continued treatment, he died anyway, "but the bills keep coming"-- that is a quote from her.

Your friend's case is a bit different. CTCA made the surgery sound like a sure thing. If we were every told this would be exploritory surgery we wouldn't have went through it. They had no evidence that they had 90% of the cancer. It was a total sham. Sorry for my negativity I am still in roug shape since my wife passed. Thank you for responding I appreciate your time.

3 weeks ago after almost a year of treatments,chemo and radiation, my wifes oncologist told us the treatments weren't working and to go with a hospice. I did ask him about CTC of America,he said most Dr's believed they were only in it for the money. I did call them a few days later and when I told them of my wifes disease,pituitary carciinoma that is now in her lungs ,liver,and bones,they told me they would not be able to treat her. So I guess they are somewhat honest.