 Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 349 Likes: 2 | Having seen the H&N Drs at both institutions I can tell from personal experience that they are quite similar on the surface.
I choose MSKCC for several reasons, and am still very glad that I did. To this day, I speak to the "team" every few days and the genuine compassion, caring and professionalism is unparralleled.
It may come down to pure logistics. Is cost of living a major concern? Are insurance issues a concern? Travel? Access? Climate? Lot's of things to consider.
A quite "normal" apartment near MSKCC will run about $ 4000 to $ 6000 a month, and for MD Anderson a nice house near the campus can be rented for $ 1400, (as an illustration of the difference) and both institutions offer some limited housing assistance, etc through social services.
Other factors are stage, location and type of cancer, plus planned treatment, (ie: surgery first, etc).
Good luck with the decision. This site is a true LIFE SAVING RESOURCE for the patient and those that care for him (or her).
Feel free to email me for personal references, ideas, candid recommendations and resource lists for either location.
Michael | 53 | SCC | Right Tonsil | Dx'd: 06-10-05 | STAGE IV, T3N2bM0 | 3 Nodes R Side | MRND & Tonsillectomy 06/29/05 Dr Fee/Stanford | 8 wks Rad/Chemo startd August 15th @ MSKCC, NY | Tx Ended: 09-27-05 | Cancer free at 16+ Yrs | After-Effects of Tx: Thyroid function is 0, ok salivary function, tinnitus, some scars, neck/face asymmetry, gastric reflux. 2017 dysphagia, L Carotid stent / 2019, R Carotid occluded not eligible for stent.2022 dental issues, possible ORN, memory/recall challenges.
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