CancerCompass message board discussion started by trytobeagoodson on 2/12/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,20893,0.htm Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My Mom has CT result showing a 1cm size tumor and will be needing Whipple procedure.  She is 69 years old, in generally good health.  We live in So. California area, so, the 2 biggest hospitals in the area are USC and UCLA.  Everyone I have talked and everything I search on the net said that this Whipple procedure is very complicated and a good, experienced doctor is important.  Can anyone advise me on which hospital/doctor is a better choice (between USC and UCLA)?  Thank you so much.   trytobeagoodson Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT   I am writing you from the Boston area.  You are correct.  A good, experienced doctor is necessary.  However, due to the degree of complication with performing this surgery, it is likely that whatever doctor you choose is probably not only well versed on this surgery, but likely brilliant as well.  Iam a 48 year old male that had a benign tumor removed from my pancreas via a whipple in July of 2005, at the Mass. General Hospital, in Boston Mass.  The doctor's name was Dr. Carlos Fernandez.  I'm thinking that you may contact Dr. Fernandez office at the Mass. General Hospital to see if they may help you with a referal for your area.  Good luck to you and your Mom.  henever Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT You can call PanCan which is a Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at (877) 272-6226 or go to their website  pancan.org to get all theinformation that you need for your mother.  Pancreatic Cancer is aterrible cancer. I wish you and your mother luck in finding yoursurgeon.Take care,Janice  Infoquest Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT   With a little research I came up with a surgeon from USC named Dr. Parekh.  He has done 100 consecutive whipples with zero deaths. henever Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT