Please recommend a good oncologist in Toronto

amctanase

Hi ladies,

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and just had her mastectomy Tuesday and is currently recovering. Her surgery was done at NYGH by Dr. Pinchuk, with whom we are so far very pleased. He seems very knowledgeable and is very confident and upfront and takes time to explain things to us, which is very important.

Now my mother got referred to an oncologist at NYGH, her name Dr. Glenns. I briefly looked her up and she does not have the best reviews, which makes me very worried. Have any of you had her as your oncologist? what were your experiences?

Also, could anyone recommend a good oncologist at Sunnybrook ( it is closest to us after NYGH)?

I am also worried that if we go with an oncologist that is not at NYGH, we may fall out of Dr. Pinchuk's care (maybe he only works with oncologists from NYGH, I am not sure how these things work) and we would very much like to keep him as a Dr...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Many thanks.

 

flannelette

I'm not from Toronto but in my experience in Kingston my br surgeon did all my follow-ups. Like getting my pathology report after 4 weeks then clinical (breast) examinations every 3 months, then every 6 months, for about 3-4 years. He would examine the area for recurrence. so that's your Dr. Pinchuk. It's great when you find a good surgeon - i loved mine, he did such a good job.

I would think any oncologist at sunnybrook would be very, very good. 

Maybe you can find out from the nurse navigators (do you have them at NYGH?) what the situation is about switching hospitals? Or phone Dr. Pinchuk's secretary. she would know if he will continue with your follow-ups (after he gives you the pathology report) if you switch to sunnybrook for chemo.

I had all done at the Cancer centre in Kingston & just took whoever came down the pike. I only saw my onc a few times at the beginning but had no glitches or problems then for nearly all follow-ups had several physicians who worked in the oncology department do the clinicals.

Lilyn

Hi I had my surgery at NYGH with Dr. Nancy Down. There are other oncologists at NYGH including Dr. Paula Fishman, Dr. Daryl Roitman and others. Check with Dr. Pinchuk and see who else he recommends or at least go for the consultation with Dr. Glenns and see how you both feel after that. There are of course many oncologists at Sunnybrook. I had my chemo at NYGH and radiation at Sunnybrook. I have to say if chemotherapy is involved in your mom's treatment,  the chemo unit at NYGH was superb, nurses amazing and much smaller than the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer facility. I went through the treatment six years ago and I was very pleased with all the care I received at NYGH. 

amctanase

Thank you for your feedback.

Lilyn our family doctor had initially referred us to Dr. Down too, he spoke very highly of her.

So then the 'primary' doctor that will be monitoring my mother going forward will be the surgeon, in her case dr. pinchuk? we are completely clueless as to how this unfolds, but it would be great if that is the case as she liked him very much.

I suppose it does not really matter, just helps to know what to expect in all the uncertainty ahead.

Ridley

At Nygh the surgeon and oncologist share care, so your mom will continue to be seen by both.  I think the frequency of appointments depends on the treatment plan (I see one or the other every four months now.)

I would agree with the recommendation to see Dr, Glenns and see what you think.  For the most part, breast cancer treatment is fairly standard for a given pathology ( e.g., an oncotype is used if indicated to assess benefit of chemo, etc.)

You could always go for a second opinion at Sunnybrook if you want to keep your care base at nygh,

Lilyn

Hi again. Ridley is correct breast surgeon and oncologist both follow patients on an ongoing basis, I was followed every six months. It is true that cancer treatment is fairly standard depending on pathology. I think it is a good idea to go for the first appt with Dr. Glenns and see how the fit is. I know we tend to read those "rate your doctor" forums but better to make your own opinion because some people are very hard to please and they put in pretty cranky comments. Mind you when we do go through these treatments and decisions our nerves and emotions are definitely pretty heightened. We are all here for you and your mom. 

LittleMelons

amctanase - I was diagnosed at NYGH as well. Dr. Pinchuk was on duty in the breast clinic the day I was there and he gave me the diagnosis and performed my breast surgery.  He is a caring and excellent doctor in my opinion as well.  He is very thorough and has done follow up mammograms or scans when he has seen something concerning (which fortunately turned out to be benign). He shares my care with the oncologist, Dr. Roitman, who is pleasant and I'm sure very competent, but his manner is much more clinical, not as warm and personable as Dr. Pinchuk.  I have dealt with Dr. Down as well and liked her very much.  As the other ladies have said, treatment and care is pretty standard depending on the type and stage of BC. I don't know if Dr. Pinchuk only deals with oncologists at NYGH, but I suspect that may be the case.  Good luck to you and your mom.

amctanase

Hi ladies,

Thank you for the replies.

As everyone recommended we will see the referred oncologist and take it from there.

We met with Dr. Pinchuk yesterday to review the pathology results from the node dissection, and of the 2 lymph nodes removed, one had isolated tumour deposits, less thank 0.2mm. The other was clear. The tumour is a grade 2.  The tumour which was initially believed to be 2.5 was in fact 1.8cm. While we still have to meet with the oncologist tomorrow, he said she will most likely not recommend chemo. I am sure the doctors know best, but is this safe?! I just do not want them to take a 'we will watch how this goes' approach. It seems my mom was so far somewhat lucky in that it has not spread elsewhere, but why not take all precautions?

Have any of you NOT received chemo OR radiation if your cancer was similar in specifics to hers?

 

Ridley

Do you know the hormone receptors for the lesion.  If they are ER+ /PR+ and HER-, they will send a sample of the tumor away for genetic testing (called an oncotype).  That report will provide you with the benefit of chemo, and the likelihood of distant recurrence.  My understanding if that they will do an oncotype if you have the hormone receptors and minor lymph node spread.  The MO will explain all of that to you though.  If you are interested, you can google oncotype.  The testing is done by a company called Genomics -- they have a patient section that will explain all of that to you.

I expect your Mom will also be referred to an RO from Sunnybrook to discuss the benefits of radiation.

hrf

I've had all my tx at Sunnybrook and the doctors there are excellent too. You have to feel comfortable with the doctor that is treating you. That is most important. At first iwas followed by both surgeon and medical oncologist. But following mx I see only the oncologist.