Recommendation for a Midwestern Medical Oncologist

hoosier238

My mother was diagnosed with IIIA ER+/PR-/HER2+ BC in December 2015 at age 57. We had neoadjuvant TCHP, unilateral mastectomy, radiation, and 9 more cycles of H&P (to finish the full 12 months). The tumor was ~4 cm pre neoadjuvant treatment, 1.8 cm after neoadjuvant treatment, and there were 2 positive nodes with extracapsular extension. Given these characteristics plus family history, the risk of recurrence is relatively high (probably 40% over 10-15 years), with a particular risk of brain mets.

We're looking for a new medical oncologist at one of the nearby cancer centers (Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and Cleveland Clinic) or a national cancer center (MD Anderson, Sloan Kettering, Mayo, or Dana-Farber). We like our community oncologist but would like to establish a relationship with an MO at a major cancer center.

We would like to work with an oncologist who has experience with HER2+ patients, has experience with patients with heterogeneous tumor profiles (the pathology of the nodes showed ER-/PR+/HER2- tumor), is aggressive with treatment, and is willing to try new treatments. Obviously at this stage we're looking to take steps to prevent recurrence, such as using neratinib or targeting the androgen receptor (bicalutamide) in addition to an AI and denosumab.

I've heard about Dr. Jame Abraham at Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Eric Winer at Dana-Farber, but I don't know too much about them. Does anybody have first-hand experience with these or other oncologists?

JEA16

Hey there. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom! Sounds like she's got some great support on her side. I agree about working with a doc at a teaching hospital - it makes such a difference. I can't speak highly enough about Dr. Olopade at University of Chicago. She is fantastic and they are upto speed with all of the recent studies available. Actually, everyone that I've worked with there has been wonderful. Hope that helps. ((Sorry about the typos...stupid phone!!))

PokeL

I see Dr. Ahn at Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion. I'm am not the biggest fan of doctors in general, but he is amazing! He is very compassionate, intelligent and innovative! I was terrified of making the wrong decision about where to seek treatment. After a week at CTCA, I have no doubts that I chose the right place