Choosing a a radiation oncologist and radiation oncology center

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PatsyKB
PatsyKB Member Posts: 272
edited April 2018 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I may be getting ahead of myself, as my DH says, but it's what I do. I'm scheduled for lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on May 7. Next steps after that will be treatment including rads. My question here: I'm looking into a couple of radiation oncologist and recommended to me: two in Phoenix and one here in tiny Sedona. How do I choose?

We are more than willing to make the drive to Phoenix if the competence and equipment are superior. I tend to assume that that is the case and it's why I had my biopsy and will have my surgery there.

What objective factors do I look at and how do I find the answers? Everyone has opinions. I want facts.

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  • buttonsmachine
    buttonsmachine Member Posts: 930
    edited April 2018

    This might be overkill in your situation, but search for NCI designated cancer centers and see if there are any in your area. I transferred to one, and I wish I had gone sooner. It's so much better.

    Cancer treatment can be inherently risky, so why not go with the best doctors and facilities? Anyway, that's one way to separate facts from opinions.

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited April 2018

    I would ask what kind of equipment they use. Then research to find out which is better for your situation.

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  • PatsyKB
    PatsyKB Member Posts: 272
    edited April 2018

    buttonsmachine - good suggestion, so I checked for NCI designated centers and of course, there is one but it's in Tucson which is three and a half hours from my home (beyond reasonable, I think). So onward to Shellsatthebeach's suggestion to inquire specifically about what kind of equipment our local radiation oncology facility uses (the radiation oncologist himself is excellent).

    I was at the local medical facility for my EKG and chest x-ray (pre-op stuff) yesterday and have the number to call - the staff there will answer all my questions, so I'll call today. Then I'll call the facility where we'd go in Phx if the Sedona one doesn't seem wise. We'd go 2 hrs for this but that's not horrible. If I end up with a multi-day course of radiation, we'd just get a hotel room and call it a rad-stay-cation.

    Sheesh, there's a lot to learn!

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  • VVV
    VVV Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2018

    Here's what I think I'd do: Look into the ones in Phoenix and figure out which one looks better and more up to date. Like, anyone have a specific breast radiation oncologist or anyone who stands out on their team as more knowledgeable? Setup appointments with the one in Sedona and the one you pick in Phoenix (or both, if you want!). At the appointments, you'd be able to find out more about the type of equipment used, I'm sure. Once you have both treatment plans, you can compare them and the equipment and how you felt about their perceived level of knowledge. It's possible they can offer you the same level of treatment and save you the drive but I think the best way to know that is meeting with them.

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  • MARIONSGIRL
    MARIONSGIRL Member Posts: 59
    edited April 2018

    Have you asked your surgeon for a recommendation? I had my surgery, chemo and radiation very close to where I live. It's a Dana Farber center. Everyone's treatment is different but my radiation was every day for 6 weeks. It was very quick.

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited April 2018

    My surgeons and medical oncologists are all at a major university hospital about 40+ minutes away, depending on traffic. My MO recommended picking a radiation oncologist who is closer and gave me the name of someone who practices about 15minutes away and is with a different university hospital.



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  • gypsyjo
    gypsyjo Member Posts: 304
    edited April 2018

    I also found my way to a NCI center for a second opinion and had my surgery/radiation done there. I had IORT (interoperative radiation treatment) one dose immediately after the lumpectomy, before closing my incision. I met the criteria that the lump had to be small. The first center I went to didn't offer it. The NCI found me to be a perfect candidate. The recovery and lesser exposure to radiation was a real benefit for me.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2018

    The teaching hospital where I got chemo is over 2 hours from my house. I was going to sublet an efficiency apartment and stay there for radiation, but the RO said she would prefer that I be at home and gave me the names of two local ROs whose work she trusted at a facility with good equipment. She said that they might recommend slightly different treatment than she would, but that it would be close and pretty standardized. I went with one of the locals and was happy with that.

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  • PatsyKB
    PatsyKB Member Posts: 272
    edited April 2018

    Thanks, all, for your suggestions, wisdom borne of experience, and support. After a couple of days of, um, obsessing as my husband would probably put it (he's right) I think I've got this in perspective. I did my research on the 2 excellent female ROs 2 hrs away both of whom are in the same practice, work with my surgeon and have a specialty in breast AND I researched the excellent male RO who is 10 minutes from my home who does not specialize in breast but who comes recommended (including by my surgeon and my primary care physician). AFTER surgery, I'll consult with one down there, the guy up here and get their treatment recommendations and then, if all things are equal (confidence/comfort level and treatment) I will take the advice of the majority of people I've talked to and make life easy by doing my radiation up here at my nearby cancer center.

    Living in a paradise like Sedona has its ups and its downs (Distance from airport and major medical) but mostly it's all up.


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  • carmstr835
    carmstr835 Member Posts: 388
    edited April 2018

    I have a suggestion, I recently underwent 7 weeks of tomography radiation and I would suggest anyone that is planning radiation therapy to ask about machine breakdowns. I had several breakdowns during my treatment and was very concerned about friday and Monday breakdown, specifically. I would have 4 days of treatment then 4 days of no treatment and in opinion the cancer cells could rejuvenate and repair the damage done to them. This happened several times and I made a note to myself, if anyone else was having radiation therapy that they should ask about machine breakdowns and plans to keep up the planned treatments without delays during such issues. I even read somewhere that there is no need for the 2 days off for weekends or holidays, that the damage to the cancer is actually better without any breaks at all.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited April 2018

    Personally I would schedule appts with an RO at one closeby and one farther away, trying to time it for three weeks after surgery when you are feeling better. Then you can tour the facility too. And if one offers radiation lying down on your stomach (prone) take that; it's generally more comfortable and more protective of your internal organs. You will also have an innate sense of who you trust more and whether that is worth extra travel time.

    All best wishes.

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