Melanoma specialist in st Louis area ???
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Melanoma specialist in st Louis area ???

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Melanoma specialist in st Louis area ???

  • Post
    • September 15, 2016 at 12:47 am
    stevecathy
    Participant
    Thinking of a second opinion. My husband is currently seen at ctca in zion. He has been on mek/taf combo for about 8 months . We have had ups and downs with side effects. Now he is having double vision. He has had 4 infusions of yerovoy, but then had Mets in transit so they immediately started combo. Just looking for possible 2nd opinion. We are in central Illinois so st. Louis or Chicago??? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you
Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 15, 2016 at 11:37 am
      jamieth29
      Participant
      When I was diagnosed I also went to ctca in Zion. Although they were ok they really gave me no options after being diagnosed 3c. Yervoy was not approved yet and the doctor wouldn’t even ask insurance to try. My local doctor asked and my insurance said yes. Ctca does not have a dedicated melanoma specialist. If you can university of chicago has 2 great doctors that only deal with melanoma and a lot of research and trials. My doctor Jason Luke and Thomas Gajeski
      • September 15, 2016 at 11:37 am
      jamieth29
      Participant
      When I was diagnosed I also went to ctca in Zion. Although they were ok they really gave me no options after being diagnosed 3c. Yervoy was not approved yet and the doctor wouldn’t even ask insurance to try. My local doctor asked and my insurance said yes. Ctca does not have a dedicated melanoma specialist. If you can university of chicago has 2 great doctors that only deal with melanoma and a lot of research and trials. My doctor Jason Luke and Thomas Gajeski
      • September 15, 2016 at 11:37 am
      jamieth29
      Participant
      When I was diagnosed I also went to ctca in Zion. Although they were ok they really gave me no options after being diagnosed 3c. Yervoy was not approved yet and the doctor wouldn’t even ask insurance to try. My local doctor asked and my insurance said yes. Ctca does not have a dedicated melanoma specialist. If you can university of chicago has 2 great doctors that only deal with melanoma and a lot of research and trials. My doctor Jason Luke and Thomas Gajeski
        • September 16, 2016 at 12:05 am
        stevecathy
        Participant
        Thank you for advice . I’m curious though , my husband started with ctca in Aug 2015 and they began yerovoy, stage 3a . Wondering why they wouldn’t do that in April?
        • September 16, 2016 at 12:05 am
        stevecathy
        Participant
        Thank you for advice . I’m curious though , my husband started with ctca in Aug 2015 and they began yerovoy, stage 3a . Wondering why they wouldn’t do that in April?
        • September 16, 2016 at 12:05 am
        stevecathy
        Participant
        Thank you for advice . I’m curious though , my husband started with ctca in Aug 2015 and they began yerovoy, stage 3a . Wondering why they wouldn’t do that in April?
        • September 16, 2016 at 2:41 am
        jamieth29
        Participant
        Only because it wasn’t fda approved yet. The Dr told me my insurance would not approve it and she wold not ask. She only offered me interferon. When I told her I was not interested in that route because I knew the stats she suggested I look for a clinical trial elsewhere. She did leave me a message after it was approved offering it to me. I didn’t realize how different a melanoma specialist was until I talked with Dr Luke in Chicago. He was way over my head. Although I don’t want to bad mouth ctca I feel my treatment by the oncologist was bad. She could of asked my insurance and that was all it took. Like I said my local doctor asked in June still before fda approval and used trial evidence to support it and insurance approved it. I felt like they brushed me out the door after my clnd.
        • September 16, 2016 at 2:41 am
        jamieth29
        Participant
        Only because it wasn’t fda approved yet. The Dr told me my insurance would not approve it and she wold not ask. She only offered me interferon. When I told her I was not interested in that route because I knew the stats she suggested I look for a clinical trial elsewhere. She did leave me a message after it was approved offering it to me. I didn’t realize how different a melanoma specialist was until I talked with Dr Luke in Chicago. He was way over my head. Although I don’t want to bad mouth ctca I feel my treatment by the oncologist was bad. She could of asked my insurance and that was all it took. Like I said my local doctor asked in June still before fda approval and used trial evidence to support it and insurance approved it. I felt like they brushed me out the door after my clnd.
        • September 16, 2016 at 2:41 am
        jamieth29
        Participant
        Only because it wasn’t fda approved yet. The Dr told me my insurance would not approve it and she wold not ask. She only offered me interferon. When I told her I was not interested in that route because I knew the stats she suggested I look for a clinical trial elsewhere. She did leave me a message after it was approved offering it to me. I didn’t realize how different a melanoma specialist was until I talked with Dr Luke in Chicago. He was way over my head. Although I don’t want to bad mouth ctca I feel my treatment by the oncologist was bad. She could of asked my insurance and that was all it took. Like I said my local doctor asked in June still before fda approval and used trial evidence to support it and insurance approved it. I felt like they brushed me out the door after my clnd.
        • September 16, 2016 at 2:47 am
        jamieth29
        Participant
        I highly suggest getting a 2nd opinion from a center of excellence. A dedicated doc that only treats mel. Nothing wrong with another opinion. You may stay with ctca suggestions but another set of eyes is always a good idea.
        • September 16, 2016 at 2:47 am
        jamieth29
        Participant
        I highly suggest getting a 2nd opinion from a center of excellence. A dedicated doc that only treats mel. Nothing wrong with another opinion. You may stay with ctca suggestions but another set of eyes is always a good idea.
        • September 16, 2016 at 2:47 am
        jamieth29
        Participant
        I highly suggest getting a 2nd opinion from a center of excellence. A dedicated doc that only treats mel. Nothing wrong with another opinion. You may stay with ctca suggestions but another set of eyes is always a good idea.
        • September 16, 2016 at 11:55 am
        stevecathy
        Participant
        Thank you Jamie . I have been wanting to look at other opinion. I appreciate your reply , thank you that . I am going to call about a 2nd option. Thank you again, you are very helpful . Thank you and blessings to you!!
        • September 16, 2016 at 11:55 am
        stevecathy
        Participant
        Thank you Jamie . I have been wanting to look at other opinion. I appreciate your reply , thank you that . I am going to call about a 2nd option. Thank you again, you are very helpful . Thank you and blessings to you!!
        • September 16, 2016 at 11:55 am
        stevecathy
        Participant
        Thank you Jamie . I have been wanting to look at other opinion. I appreciate your reply , thank you that . I am going to call about a 2nd option. Thank you again, you are very helpful . Thank you and blessings to you!!
        • September 19, 2016 at 9:42 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        Dr. Lynn Cornelius at BJC – she is a world renknowned specialist, very easy to get into. Google her, call the office and you will have an appointment in about 2-3 weeks. 

        • September 19, 2016 at 9:42 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        Dr. Lynn Cornelius at BJC – she is a world renknowned specialist, very easy to get into. Google her, call the office and you will have an appointment in about 2-3 weeks. 

        • September 19, 2016 at 9:42 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        Dr. Lynn Cornelius at BJC – she is a world renknowned specialist, very easy to get into. Google her, call the office and you will have an appointment in about 2-3 weeks. 

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.