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Need help finding a doctor

Forums General Melanoma Community Need help finding a doctor

  • Post
    CancerSucks
    Participant
      I need helping finding a doctor for a family member diagnosed with stage iv melanoma with metastasis pretty much everywhere (brain, lungs, liver, lymph nodes, etc.). I feel like due to the diagnosis and poor prognosis, I don’t want to mess around – I’d like to get, at the very least, an opinion from a top doctor in the field of melanoma research. But, I’m having a hard time figuring out who that would be… Any advice? how to research? good experiences from specific doctors? I have a bazillion airlines miles so we can pretty much pack up and go anywhere.

      This is scary stuff! Any help would be very much appreciated!!

      Thanks!

    Viewing 26 reply threads
    • Replies
        buffcody
        Participant

          Moffit Tampa, M.D. Anderson, Sloan Kettering are three good ones.  But I would look close to home first.  You may have a good one in your backyard, and I don't know where that is.  Who are you seeing now?  That info would help us, your potential advisers.

          buffcody
          Participant

            Moffit Tampa, M.D. Anderson, Sloan Kettering are three good ones.  But I would look close to home first.  You may have a good one in your backyard, and I don't know where that is.  Who are you seeing now?  That info would help us, your potential advisers.

            buffcody
            Participant

              Moffit Tampa, M.D. Anderson, Sloan Kettering are three good ones.  But I would look close to home first.  You may have a good one in your backyard, and I don't know where that is.  Who are you seeing now?  That info would help us, your potential advisers.

              Tim–MRF
              Guest

                The key is to find a place that sees a lot of melanomas.  They will likely be abreast of current treatments and be involved in clinical trials–both are important.

                I recommend you get two opinions, and get a sense of which treatment approach and treatment team is the best match.

                The MRF has pulled together a clinical trials consortium, comprised of some of the best melanoma programs.  That list is not a bad place to start, though many other good programs are out there.  The consoritum is made of (in no particular order):

                Penn

                Pitt

                Moffitt

                UCLA

                UCSF

                NYU

                Sloan Kettering

                Yale

                University of Washington

                Yale

                Vanderbilt

                MD Anderson

                 

                Tim–MRF

                  kylez
                  Participant

                    Yay! (UCSF)

                    kylez
                    Participant

                      Yay! (UCSF)

                      kylez
                      Participant

                        Yay! (UCSF)

                      Tim–MRF
                      Guest

                        The key is to find a place that sees a lot of melanomas.  They will likely be abreast of current treatments and be involved in clinical trials–both are important.

                        I recommend you get two opinions, and get a sense of which treatment approach and treatment team is the best match.

                        The MRF has pulled together a clinical trials consortium, comprised of some of the best melanoma programs.  That list is not a bad place to start, though many other good programs are out there.  The consoritum is made of (in no particular order):

                        Penn

                        Pitt

                        Moffitt

                        UCLA

                        UCSF

                        NYU

                        Sloan Kettering

                        Yale

                        University of Washington

                        Yale

                        Vanderbilt

                        MD Anderson

                         

                        Tim–MRF

                        Tim–MRF
                        Guest

                          The key is to find a place that sees a lot of melanomas.  They will likely be abreast of current treatments and be involved in clinical trials–both are important.

                          I recommend you get two opinions, and get a sense of which treatment approach and treatment team is the best match.

                          The MRF has pulled together a clinical trials consortium, comprised of some of the best melanoma programs.  That list is not a bad place to start, though many other good programs are out there.  The consoritum is made of (in no particular order):

                          Penn

                          Pitt

                          Moffitt

                          UCLA

                          UCSF

                          NYU

                          Sloan Kettering

                          Yale

                          University of Washington

                          Yale

                          Vanderbilt

                          MD Anderson

                           

                          Tim–MRF

                          CancerSucks
                          Participant

                            Thank you so much for the list!  I should have mentioned where we live!  We're in Tennassee…  We have family in the NY area, in NC, and in the north west.  So, there's a lot of options for travel.

                             

                            Thanks again! 

                            CancerSucks
                            Participant

                              Thank you so much for the list!  I should have mentioned where we live!  We're in Tennassee…  We have family in the NY area, in NC, and in the north west.  So, there's a lot of options for travel.

                               

                              Thanks again! 

                              CancerSucks
                              Participant

                                Thank you so much for the list!  I should have mentioned where we live!  We're in Tennassee…  We have family in the NY area, in NC, and in the north west.  So, there's a lot of options for travel.

                                 

                                Thanks again! 

                                CancerSucks
                                Participant

                                  Thank you so much for the list!  I should have mentioned where we live!  We're in Tennassee…  We have family in the NY area, in NC, and in the north west.  So, there's a lot of options for travel.

                                   

                                  Thanks again! 

                                  CancerSucks
                                  Participant

                                    Thank you so much for the list!  I should have mentioned where we live!  We're in Tennassee…  We have family in the NY area, in NC, and in the north west.  So, there's a lot of options for travel.

                                     

                                    Thanks again! 

                                    CancerSucks
                                    Participant

                                      Thank you so much for the list!  I should have mentioned where we live!  We're in Tennassee…  We have family in the NY area, in NC, and in the north west.  So, there's a lot of options for travel.

                                       

                                      Thanks again! 

                                      melissa ann
                                      Participant
                                        Hi, we live in Boone, NC. Our melanoma specialist is Dr. Asim Amin at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. However , my husband is currently being treated at MD Anderson. We have also been to Moffitt for treatment. So, I guess what I am saying is that Dr. Amin is a great place to start and stick with knowing that he has sent us to other centers to get the treatment he thought was best for us. We value his opinion and respect him very much. He also works very closely with Dr. Rich White who is a surgical oncologist also specializing in melanoma. I hope this is helpful.

                                        Melissa

                                        melissa ann
                                        Participant
                                          Hi, we live in Boone, NC. Our melanoma specialist is Dr. Asim Amin at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. However , my husband is currently being treated at MD Anderson. We have also been to Moffitt for treatment. So, I guess what I am saying is that Dr. Amin is a great place to start and stick with knowing that he has sent us to other centers to get the treatment he thought was best for us. We value his opinion and respect him very much. He also works very closely with Dr. Rich White who is a surgical oncologist also specializing in melanoma. I hope this is helpful.

                                          Melissa

                                          melissa ann
                                          Participant
                                            Hi, we live in Boone, NC. Our melanoma specialist is Dr. Asim Amin at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. However , my husband is currently being treated at MD Anderson. We have also been to Moffitt for treatment. So, I guess what I am saying is that Dr. Amin is a great place to start and stick with knowing that he has sent us to other centers to get the treatment he thought was best for us. We value his opinion and respect him very much. He also works very closely with Dr. Rich White who is a surgical oncologist also specializing in melanoma. I hope this is helpful.

                                            Melissa

                                            melissa ann
                                            Participant
                                              Hi, we live in Boone, NC. Our melanoma specialist is Dr. Asim Amin at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. However , my husband is currently being treated at MD Anderson. We have also been to Moffitt for treatment. So, I guess what I am saying is that Dr. Amin is a great place to start and stick with knowing that he has sent us to other centers to get the treatment he thought was best for us. We value his opinion and respect him very much. He also works very closely with Dr. Rich White who is a surgical oncologist also specializing in melanoma. I hope this is helpful.

                                              Melissa

                                              melissa ann
                                              Participant
                                                Hi, we live in Boone, NC. Our melanoma specialist is Dr. Asim Amin at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. However , my husband is currently being treated at MD Anderson. We have also been to Moffitt for treatment. So, I guess what I am saying is that Dr. Amin is a great place to start and stick with knowing that he has sent us to other centers to get the treatment he thought was best for us. We value his opinion and respect him very much. He also works very closely with Dr. Rich White who is a surgical oncologist also specializing in melanoma. I hope this is helpful.

                                                Melissa

                                                melissa ann
                                                Participant
                                                  Hi, we live in Boone, NC. Our melanoma specialist is Dr. Asim Amin at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. However , my husband is currently being treated at MD Anderson. We have also been to Moffitt for treatment. So, I guess what I am saying is that Dr. Amin is a great place to start and stick with knowing that he has sent us to other centers to get the treatment he thought was best for us. We value his opinion and respect him very much. He also works very closely with Dr. Rich White who is a surgical oncologist also specializing in melanoma. I hope this is helpful.

                                                  Melissa

                                                  LibbyinVA
                                                  Participant

                                                    I highly recommend Dr Anna Pavlick at NYU Clinical Cancer Center's Melanoma Research. I participated in one of her clinical trials in 2006 and she is still my oncologist. She is brilliant, collaborates with other noted physicians in the melanoma medical community and is beyond compassionate. She also has a wonderful sense of humor. Dr Pavlick was the only doctor who gave me hope when I was first diagnosed.

                                                    If you decide to go with her, feel free to contact me and I will provide you with all her contact information,  including her appointment contact person.

                                                    Although I live in Virginia, it has been well worth the trip to see her. She made a difference in my life and continues to do just that.

                                                    All the best with this decision. Keep us posted if that is ok with you. This is the best place to come for whatever you need. The people here really care.

                                                    Take care!

                                                    Libby

                                                    LibbyinVA
                                                    Participant

                                                      I highly recommend Dr Anna Pavlick at NYU Clinical Cancer Center's Melanoma Research. I participated in one of her clinical trials in 2006 and she is still my oncologist. She is brilliant, collaborates with other noted physicians in the melanoma medical community and is beyond compassionate. She also has a wonderful sense of humor. Dr Pavlick was the only doctor who gave me hope when I was first diagnosed.

                                                      If you decide to go with her, feel free to contact me and I will provide you with all her contact information,  including her appointment contact person.

                                                      Although I live in Virginia, it has been well worth the trip to see her. She made a difference in my life and continues to do just that.

                                                      All the best with this decision. Keep us posted if that is ok with you. This is the best place to come for whatever you need. The people here really care.

                                                      Take care!

                                                      Libby

                                                      LibbyinVA
                                                      Participant

                                                        I highly recommend Dr Anna Pavlick at NYU Clinical Cancer Center's Melanoma Research. I participated in one of her clinical trials in 2006 and she is still my oncologist. She is brilliant, collaborates with other noted physicians in the melanoma medical community and is beyond compassionate. She also has a wonderful sense of humor. Dr Pavlick was the only doctor who gave me hope when I was first diagnosed.

                                                        If you decide to go with her, feel free to contact me and I will provide you with all her contact information,  including her appointment contact person.

                                                        Although I live in Virginia, it has been well worth the trip to see her. She made a difference in my life and continues to do just that.

                                                        All the best with this decision. Keep us posted if that is ok with you. This is the best place to come for whatever you need. The people here really care.

                                                        Take care!

                                                        Libby

                                                        aldakota22
                                                        Participant

                                                          Like the previous poster I am also under Anna Pavaliclks care.Been to Sloan Memorial for a possible trial partiscipation almost 2 years ago and was not impressed. .With communication with my local oncologist I went to Sloan Kettering to patiscipate in new trial.Actually they never had a trial with both Yervoy & Zelboraf .To them it  was no big deal even though it  delayed my use of "Z" as soon as it came out in August of 2011 by approx 6 weeks.Thank God the drug worked and is still working .No matter where you go select a major center that is easiest and less stressful to get to.Prayers sent your way .Beat the Beast.   Al

                                                          aldakota22
                                                          Participant

                                                            Like the previous poster I am also under Anna Pavaliclks care.Been to Sloan Memorial for a possible trial partiscipation almost 2 years ago and was not impressed. .With communication with my local oncologist I went to Sloan Kettering to patiscipate in new trial.Actually they never had a trial with both Yervoy & Zelboraf .To them it  was no big deal even though it  delayed my use of "Z" as soon as it came out in August of 2011 by approx 6 weeks.Thank God the drug worked and is still working .No matter where you go select a major center that is easiest and less stressful to get to.Prayers sent your way .Beat the Beast.   Al

                                                            aldakota22
                                                            Participant

                                                              Like the previous poster I am also under Anna Pavaliclks care.Been to Sloan Memorial for a possible trial partiscipation almost 2 years ago and was not impressed. .With communication with my local oncologist I went to Sloan Kettering to patiscipate in new trial.Actually they never had a trial with both Yervoy & Zelboraf .To them it  was no big deal even though it  delayed my use of "Z" as soon as it came out in August of 2011 by approx 6 weeks.Thank God the drug worked and is still working .No matter where you go select a major center that is easiest and less stressful to get to.Prayers sent your way .Beat the Beast.   Al

                                                              awillett1991
                                                              Participant
                                                                I’ve been a patient of Dr Sosman’s at Vanderbilt almost 2 years. He is wonderful. Vandy has lots of clinical trials open right now, I just started Merck’s anti-PD1 trial. I’ve also been to MD Anderson. They certainly see a lot more Mel and have a bigger staff but it can definitely be less personal. Good luck whatever you decide!
                                                                awillett1991
                                                                Participant
                                                                  I’ve been a patient of Dr Sosman’s at Vanderbilt almost 2 years. He is wonderful. Vandy has lots of clinical trials open right now, I just started Merck’s anti-PD1 trial. I’ve also been to MD Anderson. They certainly see a lot more Mel and have a bigger staff but it can definitely be less personal. Good luck whatever you decide!
                                                                  awillett1991
                                                                  Participant
                                                                    I’ve been a patient of Dr Sosman’s at Vanderbilt almost 2 years. He is wonderful. Vandy has lots of clinical trials open right now, I just started Merck’s anti-PD1 trial. I’ve also been to MD Anderson. They certainly see a lot more Mel and have a bigger staff but it can definitely be less personal. Good luck whatever you decide!
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