niels_boar

My Dad is about to start radiation therapy in Middle Georgia. I've had a couple of RNs and other folks comment that we ought to consider the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Atlanta (CTCA) up the road for treatment. I assume chemo is chemo as long as the proper drugs are administered, but technology in targeted delivery could make a difference in radiation therapy. Does anybody have strong opinions on how much the quality of radiation therapy could possibly vary from a local provider and the CTCA? I can find frustratingly little information on how to even start evaluating the differences in quality of specific therapies at different institutions. The CTCA would be an hour and half drive one way. Hence, it would be quite inconvenient and tiring for someone who is sick. A clear benefit would need to be present. Does CTCA have a good reputation in the lung cancer community? My first instinct would be to go to an NCI center at Emory University Hospital for a step up in treatment, but I have no information on which to base that opinion.

Thanks so much for the suggestions, Donna. I brought my pencil and paper! I posted what the oncologist told to us today in the other thread that was created by keybounce. Any further advice is welcome.

Thanks so much for the replies. I was apparently misinformed by a family member about the "two types of cells." He has stage 3 adenocarcinoma according to the oncologist. Today the oncologist recommended a six-week regimen of chemo (carboplatin and taxol) with radiation therapy. My father was originally told in the hospital that a "head-to-toe" PET scan would be performed. However, the oncologist only mentioned a MRI scan of the brain today. Should I ask for an explanation as to why the PET scan is not being scheduled? I asked about targeted therapy and was told that it was limited to stage 4 at this point. In my reading I haven't found any contradiction to that assertion, though I have read that some phase III trials are being performed where immunotherapy is being explored for stage 3. I was wondering whether I should take my father for a second opinion on treatment. World-renowned Emory University Hospital is not too far away. However, based on my reading chemoradiation is fairly standard and the most aggressive approved treatment at this point. Hence, I don't know if it would be worth the effort. The surgery took a lot out of my father this weekend. I don't know that he would too enthused about a day trip in a car to another doctor that is likely to give the same answer.

Sorry, key bounce seems to have double posted this topic. Could a moderator merge the threads.

My father had a biopsy several weeks ago that indicated that a small tumor in his left upper lung was adenocarcinoma. The doctor initially believed it to be Stage I. He had an invasive procedure this weekend that indicated that it had already spread into his lymph node and that two types of cancer cells were present. The diagnosis was moved up to Stage III. I wasn't at the hospital when the doctors gave their report. Hence, I don't know what the second type of cell is. My father prefers to take a passive role and is only interested in hearing what the doctors want him to do. He's basically ignoring any diagnostic information. I'm going with him to his first visit to the oncologist tomorrow (Halloween). First, I was wondering if there were any suggestions of topics that the patient should raise at this point that might not be covered. Secondly, I've read enough to know that some of the newer treatments are based testing the tumors for molecular and genetic markers. My father is over 70, and I would like to avoid any more invasive procedures for diagnostic purposes. I have no idea how the genetic testing works. Should I ask for testing now on the tissues that have been biopsied even if this testing is irrelevant to first-line treatments? Are the tissues preserved so that they can be used for testing at a later date if warranted? I would hate for him to have to endure another weekend like this one after undergoing chemo and radiation if all the necessary diagnostic information can be collected now. Thanks in advance for any advice.

My father had a biopsy several weeks ago that indicated that a small tumor in his left upper lung was adenocarcinoma. The doctor initially believed it to be Stage I. He had an invasive procedure this weekend that indicated that it had already spread into his lymph node and that two types of cancer cells were present. The diagnosis was moved up to Stage III. I wasn't at the hospital when the doctors gave their report. Hence, I don't know what the second type of cell is. My father prefers to take a passive role and is only interested in hearing what the doctors want him to do. He's basically ignoring any diagnostic information. I'm going with him to his first visit to the oncologist tomorrow (Halloween). First, I was wondering if there were any suggestions of topics that the patient should raise at this point that might not be covered. Secondly, I've read enough to know that some of the newer treatments are based testing the tumors for molecular and genetic markers. My father is over 70, and I would like to avoid any more invasive procedures for diagnostic purposes. I have no idea how the genetic testing works. Should I ask for testing now on the tissues that have been biopsied even if this testing is irrelevant to first-line treatments? Are the tissues preserved so that they can be used for testing at a later date if warranted? I would hate for him to have to endure another weekend like this one after undergoing chemo and radiation if all the necessary diagnostic information can be collected now. Thanks in advance for any advice.