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Lymphomation.org or Support > Doctors and Centers

Last update: 07/03/2009  

TOPICS

Find Doctor | Communicate with DoctorsFinding Specialists | Cancer Centers 
Patient-Recommended Lymphoma Oncologists  | Optimizing Doctor Visits |   
Pathology - getting a second evaluation
Research News

Find Doctor/
Second Opinion
Online

doctor.jpg (6782 bytes)

Does the oncologist you are considering or consulting: 

* have experience in the treatment of your specific cancer?

* conduct clinical trials (is a clinical trial investigator)?

* offer radioimmunotherapy as a treatment option?

* actively participate in  professional organizations dedicated to continuing education and professional development in the field?

* show  compassion and the ability to communicate and partner with you?
OTHER TIPS:

Adapted from NYT article on how to find good medical care
nytimes.com

* Find out which doctors your closest friends really like, ...ask trusted friends, neighbors and colleagues whom they see and feel comfortable with."

... "I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for every patient to have a trustworthy primary care physician who can help them navigate our challenging, but potentially excellent, health care system," said Dr. David T. Tayloe

* Stressed the importance of patients doing research and becoming active part of the medical team.

... "becoming more active and knowledgeable can only improve your care." ... "This is a shared responsibility between the physician and the patient
for the patient's health," said Dr. Ted Epperly


* Exercise caution when going through information from commercial or industry Web sites.

... "The Web can be a good place but also a dangerous place," Dr. Epperly said. "It's important to find sites that aren't biased and that provide evidence-based information."

* Ask prospective doctor questions like how much experience he or she has with a specific condition or operation

* Make sure you feel part of a shared decision-making process and comfortable saying how you feel, or that you don't understand or that you respectfully disagree.

* Identifying high quality medical groups or hospitals that "carefully monitor the quality of the clinicians affiliated with them" and that provide "decision support, continuous quality improvement and continuing education to keep their clinicians functioning well."

* Contact the national professional society for that doctor's specialty. (for lymphoma: ASCO / ASH)

... a plus: membership in the national professional society of a specialty - often referred to as being a "fellow" in the organization, as in Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, or F.A.C.S. - requires board certification and a certain degree of clinical experience.

...look for: M.D., F.A.C.P."


* Ask about participation in clinical trials.

* Caveats... bedside manner is only one of many concerns. "While excellent quality health care integrates caring with doing the right thing medically," she said, "a caring attitude can mask poor quality medicine."

* Most critical - part of deciding on any physician is the quality of the  first appointment.

... arm yourself with the right questions [in writing - and a summary of your medical issues and treatments]

* Seeking a surgical oncologist?

... ask surgeon about the number of times annually she or he performs the specific operation needed,

... ask also about the hospitals in which those operations are performed. (research has shown that hospital mortality rates are lower when those operations are performed frequently.)


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Getting an accurate diagnosis and finding a cancer expert can be be critical to receiving optimal care.   Receiving a second opinion is also very important!

Dr. Rosenbaum:  why are second opinions so important?

"There are actually two types of second opinions. The first is when you want a second opinion. You’ve already been given a diagnosis, and treatment is about to start.

The second type of second opinion is going to a tumor board. Now, most oncologists participate in tumor boards, either locally at their community hospital or at a university hospital where there are radiotherapists, chemotherapists, pathologists, maybe 10 or 20 people all discussing a case, not all agreeing but coming out with a consensus. 

Source: Patient's guide to getting a second opinion  Web

Finding and Choosing a Qualified Doctor

To locate Board-Certified oncologists in your state: 
  * Click Cancer.net  
    From Cancernet:
        * Select City and State, 
        * Check category (Oncology, Oncology/Hematology), 
        * Click GO.
Choosing a Specialist LLS

This link provides valuable information about the qualities that make an excellent doctor.

See also finding Cancer Centers by specialty and excellence
  

Finding Experts:
Leads on Specialists
Scientific Advisory board LRF 
CLL experts cll.ucsd.edu | cll.acor.org 
Stem cell transplant advisory board BMT Info
Centers for Research Excellence PAL
Patient-recommended doctors Below
Experts on Lymphoma
“America’s Top Doctors” (Fifth Edition)
The Best in American Medicine: America’s 
Top Doctors and Hospitals  childrenshospitalla.org  
American Board of Medical Specialties abms.org
Radiation Specialists lymphomKahelp.org
Specializing in neuropathy Neuropathymd.org 
Licensing, background, and disciplinary information on physicians docboard.org   
Resources for Physicians PAL

Optimize Consults | Drug / Supplements Interaction  
Clinical Trials for Lymphoma
| Resources 

Communicating with your doctor

See Optimizing Consults PAL

On Optimizing Office Visits:

Our physicians have many patients, some with urgent needs, and that the day is short.  So, it can help to be respectful of your doctor's time. Ask if it's a good time to ask questions ... 

Think like a corporation: Produce a concise executive summary that describes your history and main objectives. Have ready the chronology of tests, treatments, lab results, and outcomes that show the trends.

Prepare in writing: your main questions, and a  list of the medications, events, and allergies you may have.  

Provide a summary of your goals. Provide information on the clinical trials you think worth discussing. 

And sometimes just in the making of your report and questions, new ideas will arise. 

Be concise. Avoid handing your doctor a 20 page report - adding one stack to another. 

To assist you in your mission, we provide patient support tools here

Patient-Recommended Lymphoma Specialists

Canada | United Kingdom / Spain
United States by region: Northeast | Midwest | South/Southeast West/Southwest

Criteria for Patient-Recommended
Oncologists
The criteria for inclusion in our list  is that your oncologist is respected by his or her peers, and has demonstrated a willingness to be a partner in your care:  that he or she communicates about the full range of treatment options (standard and investigational) - mindful of how they relate to the true risks of the disease and  the clinical details of your case.  
 We reserve the right to exclude referrals when the physician promotes  unconventional therapies or diagnostic tests  that have not been validated by clinical research.   

NOTE: Because we cannot verify all the recommendation received, please consider this list to be only a starting point in your search.

Send your referral in 
this format:

STATE, CITY, 
CENTER, ADDRESS
Physician's Name, Contact 

Send an email referral by clicking Here 

PI means that this physician also conducts lymphoma-specific clinical research.

The information presented on Lymphomation.org is not intended to be a substitute for  professional medical advice or to replace your relationship with a physician. For all medical concerns,  you should always consult your doctor. Patients Against Lymphoma, Copyright © 2004,  
All Rights Reserved.

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LIMITATIONS: The list isn't comprehensive because it's based on  submission by patients, and so excellent oncologists may not be included simply because patients haven't yet taken the time to tell us.

PI  = primary investigator - does clinical research.
ES = Expert Status
___________________________________________
CANADA
Canada, Vancouver
BC Cancer Agency
BCCA, 600 West 10th Avenue, Rm 3225
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6

Dr. Joseph M. Connors (PI) (604) 877-6000 
Randy Gascoyne, B.Sc., M.D.  (PI / ES)
  Specialty:  biospecimen-based research
Canada,Montreal, Quebec,
Jewish General Hospital, Pav E, 3755 Côte-Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaH3T 1E2

Dr.Stephen N. Caplan, MD, FRCP 514-340-8222 ext. 8248
Canada
McGill University 

Dr. Pierre Laneuville (PI)
Canada
Maisonneuve

Dr. Jean Roy jean.roy@ssss.gouv.qc.ca  
practices out of hospital) 
___________________________________________
NORTHEAST UNITED STATES
CT, New Haven
Yale Cancer Center, New Haven
 
Francine M. Foss, MD (PI / ES)
 
Cutaneous T-cell Lymphomas | Web Profile
MA,  Boston
Dana Farber Cancer  Institute,  800- 320-0022

Dr. Arnold S. Freedman (PI / ES) (617) 632-3441 Web Profile 
Dr. Lee Nadler (PI / ES)
(617) 632-3331
George Canellos (PI/ ES) , M.D. (617) 632-3470
DC, 
Georgetown University Medical Center - Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007, 

Head of Hematology, and Director  of Hematology Research
Dr. Cheson is Professor of Medicine (PI / ES) (202) 444-2223
NJ, Forked River
Hematology Oncology Associates of Ocean County

Dr. Sara Jane McGee  (609) 693-2000
NJ, New Brunswick
Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, The Cancer Center of NJ

Dr. James Salwitz
NJ,  Morristown
Carol G Simon Cancer Ctr
PO Box 1089 100 Madison Ave Morristown, NJ 07962-1089

Dr. Charles Farber
NY, New York
Center for Lymphoma and Myeloma, Weill Cornell Medical College, The New York Presbyterian Hospital, 

Dr. Richard Furman (PI / ES) (212) 746-2932 
  Specialty:  CLL
NY, New York 
NY Presbyterian Hospital Weil Medical College, 

Dr. Morton Coleman (PI / ES)  (212) 517-5900
Dr. John Leonard (PI / ES) 
(212) 746-2932
  Specialty:  antibody-based research
NY, New York,  
Memorial Sloan-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Dr. Carol Portlock (PI /ES)
Dr. Zelenetz
(PI /ES)
NY, Rochester
Wilmot Cancer Center in 
Strong Memorial Hospital

Dr. Richard I. Fisher (PI /ES) , (585) 275-0842
NY, Staten Island
St Vincent's

Dr. Thomas Forlenza (718) 816-4949 
PA, Philadelphia
University of Pennsylvania, 15 Penn Tower, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. 

 Dr. Stephen Schuster (PI / ES)  (215) 614-1846
PA, Philadelphia
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Abramson Cancer Center

Dr. Sunita Nasta (PI) 215-615-5858
PA, Philadelphia
Fox Chase Cancer Center

Dr. Mitchell Smith, MD (PI) (215) 728-2674
PA, Pittsburgh
Retina Vitreous Consultants, 412-683-5300 

Dr. Louis Lobes, MD, 
  Specialty:  orbital lymphomas
PA,  Pittsburgh,  University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Neurology, Hillman Cancer Center 5115 Centre Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Phone: 412-692-4724 | 

Frank Scott Lieberman, MD, 
  Specialty: Neuro-Oncology (PI)
___________________________________________
WEST / SOUTHWEST  UNITED STATES
CA, Campbell
Southbay Oncology Hematology Partners, 
50 E. Hamilton Ave. Ste. 200,  Campbell, 95008

Martin Rubenstein M.D., F.A.C.P. (PI) (408) 376-2300
CA, La Jolla
University of California, San Diego
Hematology/Oncology, Cancer Center & Department of Medicine,

Peter R. Holman, M.D., (PI) (858) 657-6790
CA, San Francisco,
Division of Hematology/Oncology, 400 Parnassus Avenue Suite A502 San Francisco, Ca. 94143-0324, Tel: (415) 353-2421, Fax: (415) 353-2467

Dr. Karin Gaensler
CA,  Palo Alto
Stanford Cancer Center, Lymphoma Clinic
 875 Blake Wilbur Dr., Clinic 

Dr. Ronald Levy (PI /E) (650) 723-7621 | Web Profile 
  Specialty:  immunotherapy-based research
Dr. Sandra Horning (PI /E)
(650) 725-6456 | Web Profile 
CA, Whittier,  
Hematology/Oncology, 

Dr. Glenn Tisman (562) 789-8822
CO, Denver, 
Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers 
1800 Williams Street, Suite 200 Denver, CO 80218

Dr. Jeffrey Matous (PI /E)
TX, Dallas, Oncology/Hematology, Sammons Cancer Institute, 
Baylor School of Medicine  

Mark Walberg, M.D., Ph.D (214) 370-1000
TX, San Antonio, TX, Hematology/Hematologic Malignancy, Cancer Care Centers of South Texas, (210) 595-5300. 

Roger Lyons, M.D., F.A.C.P. (PI)
WA
Univ. of Washington

Dr. Maloney, (PI / ES)  (206) 288-7400
| WebProfile
  Specialty:  antibody-based research
WA
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Dr. Oliver Press (PI / ES) 
(206) 288-SCCA (7222) Fax: (206) 288-1025  Web profile
  Specialty:  radioimmunotherapy-based research
WI
Minocqua, Lakeland Center

Dr Weiss
___________________________________________
SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES
FL, Ft. Lauderdale
North Broward Medical Center Cancer Center Pompano Beach,

Dr. Mayda Arias  (954) 786-6460
MS, Jackson
Oncology Associates PLLC Dr. 1815 Hospital Drive, Jackson, MS 39204 

Dr Tammy Young (601) 373-4421 (800) 776-2378 
NC, Asheville
Asheville Hematology and Oncology Associates, P. A

Dr. James Puckett (828) 254-8232
SC, Charleston
Hollings Cancer Center
A National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center, 96 Jonathon Lucas St.  P.O.Box 250635, 903 CSB Charleston, SC 29425

Robert K. Stuart, MD 843-792-4271
 
Professor of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology
  Director, Hematological Malignancies and BMT Programs
___________________________________________
MIDWEST UNITED STATES
IA, Iowa City, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 

Dr. Brian Link (PI / ES) (319) 356-8508 
IL, Chicago, Northwestern University,
The Feinberg School of Medicine, 

Dr. Leo Gordon (PI / ES) (312) 695-4546
IL, Chicago
The Rush Cancer Institute

Dr. Gregory (PI / ES)
IL, Chicago
Lurie Cancer Center of Northwestern University Medical Center, 

Dr. Steven Rosen (312) 908-5250
IL, Chicago
M.D. Rush Medical Center

Dr. Stephanie Ann Gregory
IN, South Bend
Michiana Hematologist/Oncologist Center, in South Bend,  

Dr. Rafat Ansari 
(574) 234-5123
IN, Indianapolis, Hematology-Oncology, Clarian Health-Methodist Hospital, 1704 N. Capital Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 962-9000

Sumeet Bhatia, MD
IN, Indianapolis
Associated Vitreoretinal and Uveitis Consultants, 8704 N Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46260 

Ramana S. Moorthy, MD (317) 571-1501
MI, Ann Arbor, 
University Michigan Comprehensive Cancer 

Dr. Mark Kaminski (PI / ES) 
734-647-8901
  Specialty:  Radioimmunotherapy-based research
MN, Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Hospitals, (612) 625-5411

Dr. Bruce Peterson (PI)
MN, Rochester, Mayo Clinic, (507) 284-2511

Dr. Thomas Haberman (PI)
MN, Rochester, Mayo Clinic, (507) 284-2511

Dr. Stephen Ansell (PI)
MN, Rochester, Mayo Clinic, (507) 284-2511

Dr. David Inwards (PI)
MN, Rochester, Mayo Clinic, (507) 284-2511

Dr. Thomas E. Witzig (PI) 
MO, Joplin
Hematology/Oncology. Freeman Cancer Institute 3415 Macintosh Circle Drive P.O. Box 2644, Joplin Missouri 64803-2644 

Dr. Tracy L. Coe, MD | (417) 782-6630 / (888) 234-3737
MO, St Louis
Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, 4921 Parkview Place, Suite B, Floor 7, St. Louis, MO 63110 

Dr. Bartlett, Nancy Lee (PI) 
(314) 747-9281 Fax: (314) 362-1608
NE, Omaha
University of Nebraska Medical Center 

Dr. James Armitage (PI / ES) 
  
(402)-559-7290, Web
Dr. Julie Vose (PI / ES)  (402) 559-3848
OH, Columbus
Arthur James Cancer Hospital at OSU

Dr. Eric Kraut (614) 293-8606
OH, Canton

Dr. James Schmotzer
___________________________________________
United Kingdom / Spain
UK
Nottingham UK, Consultant Haematologist, Nottingham City Hospital, 0115 9691169 

Dr. Andy Haynes
Spain, Pamplona
Lab of Immunotherapy Cell Therapy Area Clínica Universitaria, University of Navarra 
Avda. Pio XII, 36 31008 Pamplona, Spain

Maurizio Bendandi, M.D., Ph.D.  (PI / ES)
Phone (+34 606 002 087)
Fax: +34 948 296 500 | email: mbendandi@unav.es 
 
Specialty: immunotherapy-based research

Patient Recommended Doctors who Practice Integrative Medicine

Patient-recommended
doctors who practice Integrative Medicine
We define integrative medicine as the integration of evidence-based complementary medical therapies and supportive life style approaches into conventional patient care.
The primary criteria for entry into this list is that your doctor has demonstrated an ability to be a partner in your care and that he or she communicates your treatment options effectively and responsibly.  
IMPORTANT:  A responsible physician will (1) not promote unproven alternative practice as a substitute for proven conventional therapies; (2) will work with all your help care providers to  ensure a safe and coordinated course of care
 We reserve the right to exclude referrals when the physician promotes  therapies or diagnostics that have not been validated by clinical studies.   

NOTE: Because we cannot verify all the recommendation received, please consider this list to be only a starting point in your search.

Send your referral in 
this format:

STATE, CITY, DR, CENTER, CONTACT INFO (date added)

Send an email referral by clicking Here 
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IMPORTANT:  A responsible physician will (1) not promote unproven alternative practice as a substitute for proven conventional therapies; (2) will work with all your help care providers to  ensure a safe and coordinated course of care.

We reserve the right to exclude referrals when the physician promotes  therapies or diagnostics that have not been validated by clinical studies.   

NOTE: Because we cannot verify all the recommendation received, please consider this list to be only a starting point in your search.

CANADA, integrative clinic -- Conventional doctors (MD's) and so-called alternative practitioners all in the same clinic. Almost all their involvement is with cancer.  www.healing.bc.ca/index2.shtml 
MD - University of Maryland Department of Complimentary Medicine on Kernan Drive near Security (exit 17 off 695).   Dr. Sharon Montes is very
knowledgeable about all sorts of things and Dr. Maggie Covington is great at talking things through when you have information to sift through.  They both refer to a local alternative pharmacist,  Brian Sanderoff in Owings Mills. They both do acupuncture. source: -NHL-info
NY, New York, Dr. Raymond Chang, Meridian Medical Group, (212) 683 1221 www.meridianmedical.org 
PA - Phoenixville & Philadelphia Offices:  Ira Cantor, MD & CAM (Complementary & Alternative Medicine): Clinical Practice Director, Jefferson's Center for Integrative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.  Voice: (215) 879-5121 (Philadelphia) or (610) 933-1688 (Phoenixville)

The information presented on Lymphomation.org is not intended to be a substitute for  professional medical advice or to replace your relationship with a physician. For all medical concerns,  you should always consult your doctor. Patients Against Lymphoma, Copyright © 2004-2006,  All Rights Reserved.

Pathology - Getting a second evaluation

Pathology - getting 
a second evaluation

Related Topics

Diagnosis & Pathology

  Getting a Second Pathology Evaluation

Prognostic indicators

Performance Standards

Diagnostic Tests

Disease Direction Indicators

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An accurate diagnosis is a key to receiving the the best treatment. We have received a good number of  reports from patients on the support lists of incorrect or missed diagnosis. Unfortunately, it is more common than we would like to think. 

Please know that your pathologist can send the slides out to the center you indicate for a nominal fee.  Insurance reimbursement is also likely.  No matter. If you can find a way to have this done, we think you ought to.

DR LEONARD: ..."  it is easy to ascertain a pathologic second opinion — it’s simply a matter of sending the slides; the patient doesn’t have to go. Generally, pathologists will discuss it with you over the phone, even if you’re at another institution. It’s not a big deal to do, and the pathology is key. I believe a pathologic second opinion is more important than another lymphoma subspecialist’s opinion. We re-evaluate a situation based on our pathologist giving us information that the primary oncologist didn’t have; therefore, I encourage patients to ascertain a pathologic second opinion. It is a relatively easy thing to do, and it gives the patients some reassurance.

I think all patients diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma should also have a second pathology opinion. That’s a hard diagnosis to make and the implications, as far as the prognosis, are enormous. Additionally, if the disease is acting like one type of lymphoma, but the pathologist is telling you it’s another type of lymphoma, maybe that’s a red flag that you ought to have it evaluated by someone else.

Finally, gray areas exist when you see follicular and diffuse lymphomas, and you are trying to decide if transformation has occurred and whether you need to use an anthracycline — this is an area in which I would encourage a second opinion from the pathological standpoint."  meettheprofessors.com

Some contacts
See Also NCI Designated Cancer Centers
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology offers expert pathology consultation for both military personnel and civilian cases  afip.org
CA - UCLA - Dr. Said  healthcare.ucla.edu 
1-800-UCLA-MD1 (1-800-825-2631). or email access@mednet.ucla.edu
CA - Stanford University - Pathology Dept Stanford
Find Cancer Experts is a free, non-profit organization that recommends pathology experts for second opinions based on the tumor type findcancerexperts.com 
MA - Dana Farber (866) 408-DFCI (3324)  dana-farber 
MD - NCI - Elaine S. Jaffe, M.D. cancer.gov
NY - NY Weil Cornell Medical Center nycornell.org
NY - Pre-Appointment Pathology Submissions Memorial Sloan Kettering 
TX - MD Anderson Cancer Center - Outside consultation services MDACC
Criteria

University Teaching Hospitals

National reputations

Evaluate Lymphoma specimens often

Related articles
Pathology the Gold Standard A Retrospective Analysis of Discordant Second-Opinion Lymphoma Pathology and Its Impact on Patient Care

The most common reasons for discordance were: 
   malignant non-malignant - 27 cases, 
   Non-Hodgkins Hodgkins - 14 cases, 
   lymphoma solid tumour - 18 cases and 
   more aggressive lymphoma less aggressive lymphoma - 47 cases. 

Conclusions: (1) a discordance (one pathology finding not matching a second) rate of 16% was similar to previous studies and this high rate maybe improved through centralization of lymphoma pathology; 2) these types of patients are clearly at risk for harm, as best exemplified by patients who were felt to have a benign pathology that was actually malignant; 3) Discordant pathology has clear clinical implications including serial biopsies, invasive testing and treatment delays.

Comparison of Lymphoid Neoplasm Classification: 
A Blinded Study Between a Community and an Academic Setting 
Medscape (free login req.)  Am J Clin Pathol 115(5), 2001 
 
Summary:
188 cases evaluated
167 cases were concordant (correctly diagnosed) - 88.8%
21 cases were discordant (incorrectly diagnosed) - 12.2 %
Research News
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How Doctors Think npr.org 

This question, not surprisingly, spawned others: Do different doctors think differently? Are different forms of thinking more or less prevalent among the different specialties? In other words, do surgeons think differently from internists, who think differently from pediatricians? Is there one "best" way to think, or are there multiple, alternative styles that can reach a correct diagnosis and choose the most effective treatment? How does a doctor think when he is forced to improvise, when confronted with a problem for which there is little or no precedent?
Patient-Support Tools  Medscape General Medicine [TM]

Future Directions: As limited and unsatisfying as information technology for patients has been, Blumenthal points out that the transformative potential is great. The fundamental premise of the practice and economics of medicine is a wide asymmetry of information. 
Study: 1 in 3 doctors hides options - Physicians withhold information on treatment choices MSN.com
 
Disclaimer:  The information presented on Lymphomation.org is not intended to be a substitute for 
professional medical advice or to replace your relationship with a physician.
For all medical concerns,  you should always consult your doctor. 
Patients Against Lymphoma, Copyright © 2004,  All Rights Reserved.