Cancer Centers of America

MKL

Cancer Centers of America

MKL

I actually have 2 questions.   Has anyone gone to one of the 4 centers in this country?

I was dx with metastasis to my bone in Nov 2009.  I was first dx in Oct 2000.  This may be a crazy question, but it never dawned on me that now I am Stage 4?   Is that right?  I was Stage 1 in 2000.  I'll never understand this mess.  I want to post messages in the correct forum...don't know if this is the right one.

Thanks, Kay

carcharm

Kay,

I too am stage one but just had a pet scan that could place me as a stage IV. Any breast cancer outside LN or breast is considered stage IV. Haven't been to one of those BCA but here good things... bone mets is really treatable and have read the girls post of long period without exacerbation or progression of disease. What type of Cancer are you.. Her 2+++? Wish you the best.

Marybetz

Yes, Kay, this would now be Stage IV.  Any mets, no matter what the tumor size or grade, is considered Stage IV.  I was orginally diagnosed Stage II in May of 2010 but after PET scan In June they found two tumors in my liver which immediately put me at Stage IV.  I am having chemo prior to surgery and tumors have shrunk 70%.  Still one more round of chemo and then on to surgery.  YES, find out if you are HER positive!  There are alternate drugs, primarily Herceptin, for that too.

NYCarol

I have not heard great things about cancer centers of America.  They are a For Profit organization.  You might consider going to one of the nation's Comprehensive Cancer Centers...these are designated as the best places in the USA for treating cancer.

http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-list.html

These centers offer experience and some of the best doctors in the USA.

Big hugs to you,

Carol

lago

I don't know about the Cancer Centers of American but I know they are based here ibn IL where I live. I didn't even consider them since there are very good places hospitals right here in Chicago. You may not get the hand holding you would get at a for profit center but going to a teaching/research hospital was my choice.

Here is a list of the top hospitals in the US for cancer treatment. I would check those out before Cancer Center of America: http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cancer?page=1

BTW I went to the # 43 hospital eventhough #15 and #27 are also in Chicago because I trust the BS and the oncologist. I'm sure the other two have great people there as well. I know that I can always switch if I don't like what's going on.

HappyTrisha

I guess the only thing that bothers me about for-profit institutions like CSA is that not everyone can afford to go there.  So those with good insurance or independent means might be treated to some state of the art treatments that will help them survive, where women without the adequate insurance/funding don't have as much of a chance.  I know it's reality, but it bothers me nevertheless.

I looked at the rankings and my cancer center is ranked #6.  I didn't necessarily like the survival "as expected" when all of the other centers around it were ranked "better than expected"!  

What I do think skews things with Farber though is that they are a 27-bed center.  So level of nurse staffing would understandably be lower.  Most of those other centers are definitely in-patient facilities.

lago

Remember those "survival" stats don't tell you everything.

A #6 cancer center is going to attract some of the more serious/difficult cases than a #43. My #43 hospital is rated above average but that still doesn't mean much if everyone going there is a stage I & II.

HappyTrisha

lago, very good point!  Thank you for thinking of that.  It wouldn't have occurred to me at all.

chicago-37

All,

  I just want to point out that even a research institution could be a for-profit-company.  Sadly, most hospitals are looking to make money, that is why some won't consider more expensive tests because they won't get more money from insurance and will do the cheapest test from the onset.  Here are a list of not-for-profit hospitals (it is not extensive, but lists some) <http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/lists-and-statistics/50-not-for-profit-hospital-systems-to-know.html>.  I also went to #43 and was happy with my surgeon.  The plastic surgeon that I selected from there was horrible and I had to change to a different medical group to get the care I needed.  If I selected a different plastic surgeon my recovery and treatment wouldn't have been so difficult, but I trusted him.

Again, this is just something to consider. 

lago

Chicago-37 I didn't use the plastic surgeon on staff that was recommended at #43 (granted they do have several). I went with the one that was out of network. The one on staff actually got me more upset and I found out he was right in the middle of being board certified… but I also know someone who used him who thought he was the best.

It's going to cost me more but only for the surgeon's part. Since he his privileges are at #43 all the other stuff is covered in network.

dlb823

Kay, if you or anyone else is still wondering about the CTCAs, check out posts by a BCO member named Yazmin.   A few months ago she posted extremely postive things about her experience at the CTCA in Philadelphia.  I think CTCA has had some bad press in the past, but I believe it had to do more with some of its integrative treatments not being covered by insurance.  But overall, I think they score very highly in terms of patient satisfaction.

Another integrative center that is extremely highly rated is The Block Institute in IL.  I believe it's rated #3 in the world for integrative medicine.

And some of the NCI-designated cancer centers are known to have integrative programs.  UCLA (where I've been treated) does, the University of Arizona does, too; and I'm sure several in other parts of the country do, as well,  although these may vary in the degree of CAM they offer.    Deanna

angelsabove

I am a patient at CTCA in Zion. That is located outside of Chicago. I was treated here locally with stage IIB Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Yep....I felt like a NUMBER....Chemo room always backed up....Always WAITING ON APPTS. Actually had regular chairs in hallway to START my chemo....WAITING on a recliner. NO PRIVACY. I could go on and on. When it returned and I crossed the world of Stage IV. We decided to go to CTCA. WOW!!!!! Words truly CANNOT explain the HOPE AND CARE THERE. I have taken my Mom, Husband, Mother n Law with me at different times. They all tell people who ask them ....HOW IS THAT HOSPITAL? They too say YOU JUST HAVE TO EXPERIENCE IT YOURSELF. I was hospitalized in August for six days for Pulminary Embolism (Blood Clots....both lungs...) I had an EXTREME headache. We had already done scans and was told sinus problems. Headache would NOT GO AWAY....It was LATE at night on a FRIDAY.....HE said I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HEADACHE. He said WE ARE DOING AN MRI......I KNEW the imaging center was CLOSED. I said ok....WHEN? I was told about 45 minutes because he had to CALL in a staff to reopen the imaging center. OMG....REALLY????? When they got there I was taken down. I said HOW LONG FOR RESULTS? I was told 15 minutes......YES IT WAS A SINUS INFECTION.....THANK THE LORD....

So sorry to hear that u are having to deal with this. It certainly IS a beast. I was 36 at DX...now 37....It came back SO FAST.....Just one foot in front of the other......

Lots Of Love,

Diane

PS....There is a RULE at CTCA....NO WAITING OVER 15 minutes for ANY APPTS......They truly stick to that rule...

mzsumthing

My sister is a patient of CTCA in Philadelphia. The center is awesome..... literally, everyone from the cleaning personnel to medical doctors are  geniunly sincere. CTCA offers many complimentary services and therapies (not offered in any traditional hospital, etc). Organic meals are prepared and free of charge for patients/caregivers.

Our accomodations are handle by CTCA. We drive to hotel AND catch shuttles back/forth to center. As the previous post indicates; you have to visit and experience CTCA. I have no doubt my sister is receiving the best of care. Her oncologist is on top of her care along with her care team to include naturopathic doctor, nutrionist, surgeon, radiologists.

HappyTrisha

I will state again that I have heard wonderful things about the CTCA - except for the fact that they won't even look at you if you don't have the right insurance. 

Here is some discussion I found.  Obviously not everybody is sold on CTCA.

 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,38947,0.htm

flash

mz- glad you're sister is happy with the ctca.  I did want to correct one thing.  There are traditional hospital facilities that offer the same complimentary services and therapies.  It's standard at the NCI center to which I went.  I had nutritionist, accupuncterist, massage therapist, specialist oncologist ( researching complementary therapies) along with the traditional onc, bs team.

 I experienced CTCA with my MIL in her first round of treatment.  It was no different from the care at her NCI center later in her treatment with the exception of transportation and accomodations. If anything, I got the impression that CTCA was glad to see her go when her disease progressed and needed more serious treatment.

lewima

Sloan Kettering, Dana Farber and MD Anderson all have Integrative Medicine which incorporates all forms of holistic treatment to the normal medical treatment.  They also tell you what supplements you should take, and when during your treatments you should take the supplements, as well as providing accupunture, massage therapies, yoga classes, art therapy, etc.