Need an Oncologist in Philadelphia

palexa
palexa Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Hello all,

I just moved back to the US after living in Paris for 5 years.  I finished treatment for TNBC at the end of last year and am looking for a doctor in Philadelphia for follow up treatment.  I'm assuming I just need a medical oncologist?  I'm not even sure what the specialties are called here.  I had all of my treatment in Paris.  Does anybody have a recommendation or know how I can find the best doctor?

Another question I have is about the follow up treatment.  In France, I would be closely monitored every three months for the first two years, then every six months for the next three, then yearly after that.  This includes blood tests, physical exams, mammograms, ultrasounds of all internal organs, and MRI.  But I was told by my doctors in Paris that in the US there is no follow up treatment.  Is this true and if so can I request this type of follow up here anyway?  Is it an insurance issue as to why they don't do it here?  Does it depend on stage?  They never told me the stage, but I think it was on the cusp between 1 and 2.  I had one 15 mm lump when I found it, but two weeks later when I started treatment the MRI showed two lumps of 2 cm and 6mm.  No lymph node involvement.

Thanks very much in advance.
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Comments

  • macsal
    macsal Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2010

    University of Pennsylvania has some very good oncologists.  Not sure if we are allowed to name names.

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  • sushanna1
    sushanna1 Member Posts: 764
    edited August 2010

    Look at Fox Chase and Penn.  Both have excellent oncologists on staff.  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2010

    I am a bit over two years out from treatment, and for the first year and a half, I saw my oncologist every six months, and my breast surgeon every three months.  At this point, I see them each every six months, and we try to coordinate it so that I am seen by someone every three months.

    This site is based in the Philadelphia area, so a number of the "Ask the Experts" experts practice in the Philadelphia area.  

    One of the issues that you may need to check is which doctors and hospitals participate with your insurance.  If the doctor you want to see isn't listed as a participating provider with your insurance company, you can contact them and see if they are willing to become one, or if they will work with your insurance as out of network, and how that will affect how much you need to pay out of pocket.  Sometimes that can be less expensive than an"in network" provider, but it can also be much more expensive.

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  • celticsgirl143
    celticsgirl143 Member Posts: 30
    edited January 2011

    Hey I am from Philadelphia and I like my doctor a lot. Her name is Susan Domcheck.She is at Penn. You should call Penn at 215-662-4000 and ask for the Rena Rowan Breast Center. Her secretary's name is Trish. Good luck to you

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2011

    Palexa,

    I'm also at Penn with Dr. Angela DeMichele. I've only seen her once so far, but she's very forthcoming and compassionate, and thorough. And came highly recommended by a bunch of survivors, including one that is a cancer researcher herself.

    Good luck and keep us posted!

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