› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Melanoma Specialist in Chicago?
- This topic has 33 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 2 months ago by LibbyinVA.
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- February 6, 2014 at 3:07 pm
I know of a very young woman in the Chicago area who desperately needs a melanoma specialist. She was dx'ed about 18-months ago and has had no follow-up care after her WLE. I should add she has very limited insurance with high co-pays. However, her mother is willing to help out and will do anything to get her daughter to realize it is crucial for her to continue to have follow-up checks. It's tough sometimes to get young people to grasp that melanoma is something you must stay on top of instead of thinking that surgery took care of everything.
Thanks everyone!
Libby (IIIb, NED 2006)
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- February 6, 2014 at 3:19 pm
What stage (obviously that dictates the type of follow up needed)?
Dr. Howard Kaufmann recently left Rush – he was a top specialist in Chicago
Dr. Thomjas Gajewski – University of Chicago
Dr. Jon Richards – Oncology Specialists – Niles office and Park ridge office.
There are other Melanoma specialists out of Loyola, Evanston/Northshore hospital and a few others depending on what part of town .Dr.Bruce Brockstein at Evanston Northshore and Dr.Joseph Clark at Loyola .
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- February 6, 2014 at 3:19 pm
What stage (obviously that dictates the type of follow up needed)?
Dr. Howard Kaufmann recently left Rush – he was a top specialist in Chicago
Dr. Thomjas Gajewski – University of Chicago
Dr. Jon Richards – Oncology Specialists – Niles office and Park ridge office.
There are other Melanoma specialists out of Loyola, Evanston/Northshore hospital and a few others depending on what part of town .Dr.Bruce Brockstein at Evanston Northshore and Dr.Joseph Clark at Loyola .
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- February 6, 2014 at 3:19 pm
What stage (obviously that dictates the type of follow up needed)?
Dr. Howard Kaufmann recently left Rush – he was a top specialist in Chicago
Dr. Thomjas Gajewski – University of Chicago
Dr. Jon Richards – Oncology Specialists – Niles office and Park ridge office.
There are other Melanoma specialists out of Loyola, Evanston/Northshore hospital and a few others depending on what part of town .Dr.Bruce Brockstein at Evanston Northshore and Dr.Joseph Clark at Loyola .
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- February 6, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Libby, I am impressed that you are such a good friend and have taken the time to search out this forum and ask for referrals. You're a good person!
However, the type of follow up care this young woman needs and where she should get it depends on what stage of melanoma she has. Most people (patients as well as their friends and family) when they hear the word "melanoma" immediately start to panic and feel an urgent need to get treatment as soon as possible to keep the melanoma from coming back. That is perfectly understandable but not usually necessary.
If her diagnosis was melanoma-in-situ, or Stage I or Stage II, she doesn't really need a melanoma oncologist now; most of them probably won't even see her. That's because at those early stages, the chances of the melanoma ever coming back are very slight and there are no treatments recommended for those early stages, anyway. Basically, it's "Thank your lucky stars and remain vigilant." If she is a Stage III or Stage IV (which can not be determined only from a WLE), then she should see a melanoma oncologist.
Any diagnosis of any melanoma needs appropriate follow-up care. But the type and intensity of that care depends entirely on the diagnosis written in the original pathology report and any follow-up tests and scans. If you can find out the original diagnosis and official "stage" of her melanoma, we will be able to help you find the appropriate resources.
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- February 6, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Libby, I am impressed that you are such a good friend and have taken the time to search out this forum and ask for referrals. You're a good person!
However, the type of follow up care this young woman needs and where she should get it depends on what stage of melanoma she has. Most people (patients as well as their friends and family) when they hear the word "melanoma" immediately start to panic and feel an urgent need to get treatment as soon as possible to keep the melanoma from coming back. That is perfectly understandable but not usually necessary.
If her diagnosis was melanoma-in-situ, or Stage I or Stage II, she doesn't really need a melanoma oncologist now; most of them probably won't even see her. That's because at those early stages, the chances of the melanoma ever coming back are very slight and there are no treatments recommended for those early stages, anyway. Basically, it's "Thank your lucky stars and remain vigilant." If she is a Stage III or Stage IV (which can not be determined only from a WLE), then she should see a melanoma oncologist.
Any diagnosis of any melanoma needs appropriate follow-up care. But the type and intensity of that care depends entirely on the diagnosis written in the original pathology report and any follow-up tests and scans. If you can find out the original diagnosis and official "stage" of her melanoma, we will be able to help you find the appropriate resources.
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- February 6, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Libby, I am impressed that you are such a good friend and have taken the time to search out this forum and ask for referrals. You're a good person!
However, the type of follow up care this young woman needs and where she should get it depends on what stage of melanoma she has. Most people (patients as well as their friends and family) when they hear the word "melanoma" immediately start to panic and feel an urgent need to get treatment as soon as possible to keep the melanoma from coming back. That is perfectly understandable but not usually necessary.
If her diagnosis was melanoma-in-situ, or Stage I or Stage II, she doesn't really need a melanoma oncologist now; most of them probably won't even see her. That's because at those early stages, the chances of the melanoma ever coming back are very slight and there are no treatments recommended for those early stages, anyway. Basically, it's "Thank your lucky stars and remain vigilant." If she is a Stage III or Stage IV (which can not be determined only from a WLE), then she should see a melanoma oncologist.
Any diagnosis of any melanoma needs appropriate follow-up care. But the type and intensity of that care depends entirely on the diagnosis written in the original pathology report and any follow-up tests and scans. If you can find out the original diagnosis and official "stage" of her melanoma, we will be able to help you find the appropriate resources.
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- February 7, 2014 at 2:07 am
Actually, that is exactly what happened to me– not with melanoma but with breast cancer. I had a biopsy done at a breast cancer specialty clinic that came back "ductal carcinoma in situ". I wanted to consult with the oncologist before I agreed to a lumpectomy and the clinic director said that wasn't necessary. They only involved the oncologists for metastatic carcinoma. Of course, I protested but he was firm. I could have gone to another oncologist but without a referral from the surgeon my insurance company wouldn't cover it. I would have had to pay for the consult and any tests myself which I couldn't afford at the time. It does happen.
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- February 7, 2014 at 2:07 am
Actually, that is exactly what happened to me– not with melanoma but with breast cancer. I had a biopsy done at a breast cancer specialty clinic that came back "ductal carcinoma in situ". I wanted to consult with the oncologist before I agreed to a lumpectomy and the clinic director said that wasn't necessary. They only involved the oncologists for metastatic carcinoma. Of course, I protested but he was firm. I could have gone to another oncologist but without a referral from the surgeon my insurance company wouldn't cover it. I would have had to pay for the consult and any tests myself which I couldn't afford at the time. It does happen.
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- February 7, 2014 at 2:07 am
Actually, that is exactly what happened to me– not with melanoma but with breast cancer. I had a biopsy done at a breast cancer specialty clinic that came back "ductal carcinoma in situ". I wanted to consult with the oncologist before I agreed to a lumpectomy and the clinic director said that wasn't necessary. They only involved the oncologists for metastatic carcinoma. Of course, I protested but he was firm. I could have gone to another oncologist but without a referral from the surgeon my insurance company wouldn't cover it. I would have had to pay for the consult and any tests myself which I couldn't afford at the time. It does happen.
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- February 7, 2014 at 7:07 pm
I don't think Pat was doing anything, but trying to be helpful. Everyone here is just sharing their own experience. I didn't see any malicious intent with her statements. She has a PhD in biochemistry and she lost her brother to this dreadful disease. I believe her husband also has an beginning stage of melanoma. I appreciate her advice because some of it is over my head. Let's try to support each other. Melanoma is a disease that is difficult enough to deal with so let's try our best to be helpful. If you disagree with something that's fine with me, but I think you are misreading her posts and intentions.
maureen
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- February 7, 2014 at 7:07 pm
I don't think Pat was doing anything, but trying to be helpful. Everyone here is just sharing their own experience. I didn't see any malicious intent with her statements. She has a PhD in biochemistry and she lost her brother to this dreadful disease. I believe her husband also has an beginning stage of melanoma. I appreciate her advice because some of it is over my head. Let's try to support each other. Melanoma is a disease that is difficult enough to deal with so let's try our best to be helpful. If you disagree with something that's fine with me, but I think you are misreading her posts and intentions.
maureen
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- February 7, 2014 at 7:07 pm
I don't think Pat was doing anything, but trying to be helpful. Everyone here is just sharing their own experience. I didn't see any malicious intent with her statements. She has a PhD in biochemistry and she lost her brother to this dreadful disease. I believe her husband also has an beginning stage of melanoma. I appreciate her advice because some of it is over my head. Let's try to support each other. Melanoma is a disease that is difficult enough to deal with so let's try our best to be helpful. If you disagree with something that's fine with me, but I think you are misreading her posts and intentions.
maureen
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- February 7, 2014 at 1:25 am
Hi Libby,
I was a 28 yr old female when I was diagnosed as stage 3 and had no idea what was ahead of me. I think you and her mom are right to be concerned.
To answer your question, I am seeing Dr. Kuzel at Northwestern. I used to see Dr. Kaufman at Rush so this is a new relationship, but so far I would recommend him. Northwestern is a great hospital, and while it is true that he also specializes in other types of cancer, he is very involved in research. Dr. Richards at Lutheran general comes highly recommended but I haven't personally seen him.
Now with that being said, I have an idea. Maybe you can suggest that she go see Dr. Martini at the Northwestern pigmented lesion clinic. It would definitely not be as overwhelming as seeing an oncologist. When I went to Dr. Kuzel he was very informative and did a check for lymph nodes but since I wasn't due for scans it was a really expensive "get to know ya" session. Dr. Martini would give at least a thorough full body exam and then if necessary refer to Dr. Kuzel. Just my opinion. I agree that stage of course matters, and when I called Northwestern they did have to check with the Dr first to see if he would even see me.
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- February 7, 2014 at 1:25 am
Hi Libby,
I was a 28 yr old female when I was diagnosed as stage 3 and had no idea what was ahead of me. I think you and her mom are right to be concerned.
To answer your question, I am seeing Dr. Kuzel at Northwestern. I used to see Dr. Kaufman at Rush so this is a new relationship, but so far I would recommend him. Northwestern is a great hospital, and while it is true that he also specializes in other types of cancer, he is very involved in research. Dr. Richards at Lutheran general comes highly recommended but I haven't personally seen him.
Now with that being said, I have an idea. Maybe you can suggest that she go see Dr. Martini at the Northwestern pigmented lesion clinic. It would definitely not be as overwhelming as seeing an oncologist. When I went to Dr. Kuzel he was very informative and did a check for lymph nodes but since I wasn't due for scans it was a really expensive "get to know ya" session. Dr. Martini would give at least a thorough full body exam and then if necessary refer to Dr. Kuzel. Just my opinion. I agree that stage of course matters, and when I called Northwestern they did have to check with the Dr first to see if he would even see me.
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- February 7, 2014 at 1:25 am
Hi Libby,
I was a 28 yr old female when I was diagnosed as stage 3 and had no idea what was ahead of me. I think you and her mom are right to be concerned.
To answer your question, I am seeing Dr. Kuzel at Northwestern. I used to see Dr. Kaufman at Rush so this is a new relationship, but so far I would recommend him. Northwestern is a great hospital, and while it is true that he also specializes in other types of cancer, he is very involved in research. Dr. Richards at Lutheran general comes highly recommended but I haven't personally seen him.
Now with that being said, I have an idea. Maybe you can suggest that she go see Dr. Martini at the Northwestern pigmented lesion clinic. It would definitely not be as overwhelming as seeing an oncologist. When I went to Dr. Kuzel he was very informative and did a check for lymph nodes but since I wasn't due for scans it was a really expensive "get to know ya" session. Dr. Martini would give at least a thorough full body exam and then if necessary refer to Dr. Kuzel. Just my opinion. I agree that stage of course matters, and when I called Northwestern they did have to check with the Dr first to see if he would even see me.
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