Any one know if the Barrett Cancer Center in Cinci is a good place to go for oral cancer? That is the one that is closest to me - and probably the one I'd be referred to for radiation / chemo if needed. I am through the initial resection and neck dissection and right now they are saying no additional treatment - just followup visits and a PET in a few months.

On the resources page of the main web site is a list of the top 50 cancer centers in the US. If I had options available to me, I'd like to be seen at one of those. Go to the resources link and scan about a third the way down the page looking for the link "best hospitals"

Amy,

I live in Cininccati and just recieved path report saying infiltrating carcinoma on right side of tongue. The ENT who did the biopsy operates at Christ Hospital and wants to resect right side of tougue and do a bilateral supraomohoid neck dissection ; no discussion. I want to discuss options and trying to decide who to see. Looks to me like choices in town are UC Barrett or Vantage Oncology for Centers with rad capability. Where did you go for initial surgery? Did you check out UC Barrett for your follow up?

Thanks!

Amy,

I am from Louisville. My ent is sending me to barrett to dr yash patil for my surgery. I have done a lot of research and the center seems to be one of the best! I am meeting the surgeon Wed. I was diagnosed last Tuesday.

I would also consider the James Cancer Hospital/Solove Research Institute at Ohio State in Columbus. 90 minutes longer drive, but a top notch facility. The James and Cleveland Clinic seem to flip flop between #1 and #2 in Ohio, depending upon the study you read. I have had nothing but a good experience there.

I have to agree with Jeff and there will be mnay more than one Dr that you will be seeing. They are as good as you can find.Once they see you and decide what they have to do, in my case, I saw the Same Dr Jeff had, went home and back the next day to see a DR then next day was having surgery.

MrsGrant,

Thanks for the great info. Nothing like getting diagnosed over the holidays eh? Hey, I'm in the "researh phase"; where did you look to satisfy yourself about the UC Barrett Center?

Thanks,

Mike

Honestly I have been in total shock about the whol;e thing...havent been sleeping much at all & worried to death. My mom & dad & husband has done a lot of research. I am one of those people who has to feel 100 percent comfortable with a dr...i meet him tomorrow.

Shaylynn,

Good luck tomorrow. From what I hear you'll be in good hands.

Is your husband or a parent going with you? Two minds are better than one and you've got a lot going on in your head right now. Take a pad and pen to write things down. It's amazing how much information can just go in one ear and out the other when something like this is happening.

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow,

Lani

Write all your questions down on a pad before you go and take the pad with you in the car as that's where my brain seemed to work the best. Leave space in between the questions for the answers and if they don't make sense to you, ask them to explain it better.

You may want to lower your standards down a bit because as good as I feel my chosen team was, I wasn't always 100% comfortable with them. Just choose the best team you meet.