Hospital Choices

[level]

Everyone here has said that I should get seen by a major center or in a major metropolitan area. I live roughly equal distance from Duke in NC and Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Atlanta. Does anyone have any feedback on these places? I need to make a decision soon so that I may begin treatment. My insurance fully covers both.

[betsydoglover]

If it were me, I would choose Duke. It's highly regarded. CTCA is a for profit hospital and while I've heard they have good doc, they also have a profit motive. But I have no personal experience with either - I'm sure some other folks will respond.

[Rob in PA]

Duke.

[Jacques]

For your information, Duke University Hospital is ranked by U.S News & World report as 40th nationwide for Adult Cancer hospitals:
http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nc/duke-university-medical-center-6360355

Here is Duke's Cancer Scorecard:
http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nc/duke-university-medical-center-6360355/cancer

Since you have lung mets, you may be interested in the fact that Duke is rated 5th nationwide in Pulmonology:
http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nc/duke-university-medical-center-6360355/pulmonology

[weisssoccermom]

Duke.

Also, many insurances won't pay for CTCA services. Check that out as that would be an important part of your decision making process. In addition, check out that CTCA even will bill your insurance (if you decide to go that route). IMO, those commercials for CTCA are way too misleading and while I am sure that for basic care they are likely no different than anyplace else, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable there. Are there doctors up to date with equipment, protocols, etc.?

[MissMolly]

Cancer Treatment Centers if America has been in the news due to questionable patient recruitment tactics. The company also carefully "massages" its outcome studies to look as attractive as possible. This includes discharging some patients from care who may have less than positive outcomes because it would not reflect well on outcome studies.

I would be hesitant to be fully vested as a patient with CTCA.
- K -

[tarheelmom]

You could also consider UNC. It's ranked higher than Duke for cancer. I live right in between Duke and UNC, and my husband works a lot with Duke doctors. We have a lot of contacts in the medical community here, and all suggested UNC was slightly better than Duke for cancer. Duke has the national name recognition, but UNC Lineberger Cancer Center seems to have a much more integrated approach. Just my take from a "local." What about Emory?

[michelle c]

Some good advice here. Best wishes to you with your choice.