Hello,
I’m looking to get second opinions and maybe ultimately switch to a different oncologist. I live near NYC so am currently seeing an onc in NYC.
Does anyone have an oncologist in the NY / NJ area that they can recommend? I’m also open to oncologists in other states such as at Dana-Farber in MA.
Thank you.
Hi Jonesburger -
I don't know what NY hospital you're currently associated with, but I went to MSKCC on 66th and 2nd for a couple of years. I was very happy with my doc, Lillian Smyth. When she returned to her native Ireland, I tried out my sister's doc at Duke, and love him even more, so he's my side-onc, in addition to my local (Dallas) onc.
Again, I don't know what hospital you go to, but I will say that of the three I've worked with (MSK, Duke, and in Dallas), the MSK "mothership"/main campus was the most uniformly professional of the three. Everything, top to bottom, was like clockwork; the scans were excellent, patient portal was fantastic, etc; and everyone - down to the receptionists, etc. - seemed exceedingly expert. You might get the same in NY, where you go. The "downside", if I had to pick one, was that it seemed the least "personal".
I'm really, really happy at Duke, but don't know if this is an option for you, since it's not really drive-able? Flying is probably not advisable at this time, so I won't get into details.
I'm sure there are many great options in both NY and Boston, and probably points in between/around, too. Are there any other practical factors that are important to you as you decide?
For example, it's important to me to be able to get a "full" PET/CT. Last I heard, there were a limited number of facilities that had these machines where you get the PET and a "diagnostic" CT, i.e. with contrast at the same time (the one in Duke does this in a 10 minute scan; MSK was 20 minutes, last generation machine, but still great). In Dallas, they call their PET a "PET/CT" but it's really not. So I try to get my scans @ Duke and would certainly make this a key criterion if I were looking for a new place (but that might be important only to me). They have this machine at DF I'm sure...but might not have it at, e.g. MSK satellite offices? I don't know...
Another potential factor might be access to trials, even down the road? One thing I really value about my doc at Duke is that he heads up clinical trials there and spends 2-3 days per week "in clinic", the rest of the time teaching/doing research-related stuff. He has a weekly conference call with his peers at other top-tier hospitals so really gets a first-hand, real time view of what's happening. If something like this is important to you, maybe you can ask specifically for the docs in this position at the hospitals you're considering?
Sorry I can't be of more help...I hope that some of our NY and MA members have better info/insights for you...
I am not sure where you are in the area. I am very happy with Sloan Kettering in Basking Ridge. They all (all locations) follow same protocols. Very professional and very on top of their game. Have had a number of oncologists. All were terrific. Caring and knowledgeable.
Oh, I did not mean to disparage the people or protocols at the other offices. The standard protocols for MBC treatment are pretty uniform around the country.
I was speaking specifically about the extraordinarily expensive PET/CT machines. When i was at Duke last year, I was told there were six of these machines in the country. This machine is important to me, so I try to ensure that I have access to it. This is not a key criterion to most...
But I do think (I know...in fact it seems obvious) there are differences not only in the technology but also in people across different facilities. My "take" on MSK - which I noted to friends afterwards - is that the very best/brightest were attracted to work there. None of them would have chosen to work at my hospital in Dallas, for example. The different caliber of staff is like night and day. And yet that's my primary facility. I go there for other reasons, e.g. convenience, my relationship with my Doc, etc. ...I don't, however, think its wrong for me to acknowledge that it's definitely a second (or even third) tier facility.
I'm glad your happy with your providers...
Oh just realized I was meaning to answer Jonesburger, not you! I wanted to her to know I was happy in with Sloan in NJ. Oy, this is what happens when I answer on my phone! She mentioned living in NJ/NYC area and was asking about an oncologist! Love hearing what else is available around the country. Equipment, etc. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Hidden and AvidBooklover , many thanks for your response. I'm currently at the Dubin Breast Center (which is part of Mt. Sinai) in the upper east side. I like my onc a lot but i think its time to get second opinions for various reasons. I considered MSK when I was first diagnosed stage 2 a few years ago but two co-workers (with personal experience) had said that MSK could be impersonal at times and believed it was because they see so many patients from around the country/world and the attitude could be 'its my way or the highway.' However, I should reconsider MSK again since I tend to see positive postings on this forum from ladies being treated at MSK.
AvidBooklover, Basking Ridge is a little far for me so I may have to stick to the NY location.
Jonesburger...I think "impersonal" is a fair assessment. But that really might not matter if what you're after is purely their expertise. That was my situation...overstatement/oversimplification: MSK was the brain, my Dallas doc was the heart, so I had the best of both worlds when I was seeing both.
Best of luck to you... Lynn
Ah....my surgeon was at MSKCC in NYC. I chose Basking Ridge for oncology as closer to my home. Had radiation in NYC for bone mets. They have many satellites in NJ and Long Island, as well as NYC. I have never found them to be impersonal, and in fact have been impressed with how they have been super hands on. The team I work with has been super communicative and has reached out to me a lot. Never have felt rushed, or like a number. There is a Sloan way of treatment, but I have found them to suggest and guide very well. They suggested genome testing, etc. I have seen 7 oncologists and PAs in 7 years and none were less than on top of their game. Since metastatic in early 2019, even more so. I am still in touch with my orig surgeon who went so far as to respond from vacation out of the country when an MRI of my hip, which I thought was sciatica showed what could be a met. He ordered next steps from his trip and kept in touch. So I am happy. Oh and I had melanoma in 2010 and that treatment was just as top notch, and no, nit related! They also are excellent at working with insurance companies!
Go to MyHealingCommunity.com on this site they have files for recommendations of doctors in the US. It is an amazing site. It is a study group that was formed in support of Jane McLellands book How to Starve Cancer without Starving yourself.
Mimi
Mimi - thank you. I never heard of that site before. I'll be checking it out today.
I am seeing Dr. Nancy Lin at Dana Farber. She is good. Very gentle and understanding. Does a lot of research too into new treatments.
Thanks SMPG. I just got off the phone with a lovely lady at DF and someone from their patient registration is supposed to call me today to get the process started. From what I understand, they have a group of doctors that specializes in MBC which is what I'm looking for. I'll look up Dr. Lin and will ask the patient coordinator if she would be the right person for me. Thanks again for her name.
Yes, she is quite good. I saw her today virtually. She gave me good news. The PET scan did not see anything practically. My blood work is OK too. She said my cancer is for the moment at least, in hibernation. I wish everybody such good news. A big sigh of relief. I was really uptight. Now I have more enjoyment to play with my new kittens.
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