So I happen to be one of those people that think time is important and where you are treated is important and I will tell you why. Time is important because the squamous tissue in your mouth replaces itself every 7-10 days. In order for cancer cells to grow faster than that they often will double in size every week or so. The bigger it gets the harder it is to remove or eliminate and the more impact it will have on your critical functions like swallowing, wetc. If I had your case at Stage IV and the local treatment facility was recommending Chemo only, I would start that treatment immediately AND start the process of getting into a regional cancer center. The chemo will likely have some impact on slowing the growth of the cancer while you get set up with a regional cancer center. My father and I both had the same type and subtype of cancer. He went to a local hospital and lasted 18 months after diagnosis. I went to a regional cancer center and have lasted 20 years so far despite having had 3 primary tumors. If the local hospital is recommending chemo and radiation siimultaneously then that would be a more difficult decision for me. I probably would still start the treatment and also try to get into the Regional Cancer Center. Best of luck.

Thank you Don. Besides cancer, one does have to think about other issues, which are important, like insurance, caps, and other restrictions, continued coverage, retirement, employment benefits package, time off, Cobra, future income. I was caught off guard, but actually did not have time to think with the fast and furious from diagnosis to treatment phase, unless you have someone to help you.

Hi Brian,

Much thanks for all of that info. Also, I did not know UCSF's HNC center is a good one. For some reason, I thought their CCC center was just recently designated (1999). Although, Stanford's CCC designation is fairly recent too. I will have to give UCSF a second thought.

By the way, I know this may be personal, and don't respond if you don't want to, but were your out-of-pocket total costs for treatment at MD Anderson above the six figure mark?

Thanks again for the response.

Everyone, much thanks for the responses. I know time is a major issue for cancer treatment, but I also know cost is a huge factor. I have talked to my insurance provider, and since I live all the way out in the boonies without good local CC centers, Stanford and UCSF are considered in network for cancer treatments. I just hope they will take my case ASAP. Currently, they are a month out but will take me earlier with an opening. I will look at UCSF as well.

Oh well, it's been a year since I've been misdiagnosed. What's an extra month? /sarcasm

For what it's worth, I received excellent care at UCSF. It is a highly rated cancer center with a great reputation.

yes the costs were in multiple 6 figures. I would go to UCSF without hesitation. Warren Buffet's choice for his wife when she had oral cancer, and obviously she could have gone anywhere. Each institution has pluses and minuses, I was told once that Stanford has a distinctly surgical perspective when they approach this. I cannot verify that leaning.

Oh wow, ok. Much thanks for those perspectives. I will have my case forwarded to UCSF as well, then.

Sorry I just saw this. I was treated at UCSF Helen Diller center earlier this year. If you want any info, go ahead and PM me.
Good luck-great team at UCSF.

We live in the Peninsula.. nearby.. we have a wonderful ENT in San Mateo who practices at Mill/Peninsula (Burlingame Hospital and Mills Cancer Center). We were referred to USCF, but found that Mills provided everything we needed.