where to get Lumpectomy and pathology report?(SF/CA bay area)

dippybird

Hello, All,

following an abnormal core biopsy showing ADH, I am going to get Lumpectomy done to evaluate potential cancers.

I am seeking advice on where to get Lumpectomy done in the Bay Area, Stanford vs. PAMF at Palo Alto vs UCSF.

My goal is to get clean negative margin on calcification in the surgery to get most accurate diagnosis for pathology and minimize the need for the second surgery if not needed.

I am seeking experience/comments on which place to go for the surgery, and which place has the best team for surgery/radiology/pathology? I like the surgery oncologists I met so far, Reasons for debating: even though stanford/UCSF is more famous, they are teaching hospitals, and I might not get full attention of attending doctors in every step of my treatment as in the other places; on the other hand, PAMF is not ranked in national rankings of cancer centers.

Any advice is super appreciated!

Cowgirl13

I would suggest California Pacific Medical Center. I had all my treatment there and everyone could not have been nicer...from the receptionist to the surgeon, radiologist and oncologist. My surgeon was Nima Grissom, radiologist was Dr. Rounsville and oncologist was Wei Wang. Dr. Wang was fabulous.

I suggested UCSF to a friend who is in a cancer support group and many of them reported that it was difficult to navigate the waters there. Of course, it is a top notch cancer center. No doubt about it. For myself it would not have worked as I had to have a very supportive experience the whole time I was in treatment which was a year (I was triple positive and triple positive treatment lasts a year).

Good luck in your search.

dippybird

Cowgirl13, thanks so much for the experience! California Pacific Medical Center is part of PAMF (Sutter health) too. It is good to know you have a positive experience there.

exbrnxgrl

I am also in the SF Bay Area. I had all of my second opinions at Stanford and although I wasn't treated there, had very positive experiences with them. I am a Kaiser patient and continue to be treated at their Santa Clara campus. I am more than pleased with my care (almost 7 years NED at stage IV). Best of luck to you.

dippybird

@exbrnxgrl, thanks for sharing your experiences! One issue is that I like the doctors I have seen in all three places so far, which made it a harder decision, otherwise, I could easily exclude the ones I do not like:). Best of luck to your journey too!