Multidisciplinary Second Opinion Centers

Many cancer patients are dying, not because treatments are not available, but because the initial physician failed to offer the best possible treatment. Cancer is an unusual disease for many reasons – if you don’t treat it properly the first time, often there is no second chance because cancer grows geometrically.

Often an initial treatment precludes the proper treatment from being given later. Doctors are humans and could make a mistake. Rarely is cancer diagnosed by an oncologist (It is generally diagnosed by an optometrist, gynecologist, urologist, dermatologist, GI, GP, etc.) and that doctor may not want to lose the revenue or admit that someone knows more than he does. Of most importance is not what treatments a patient receives or from whom, but that the patient is entitled to make an informed decision. Being told that nothing can be done, that surgery is required tomorrow or take these pills and come back in 90 days is not making an informed decision.

A recent press release by the National Cancer Policy Board was a giant step in the right direction. They stated what poor treatment Americans are receiving for cancer. Many doctors are simply not knowledgeable about the most recent treatment developments, according to their report. Research shows, for example, that Tamoxifen is the best treatment for post-menopausal women with breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes, but only 60% of such women receive the drug.

The National Cancer Institute has stated that if physicians would use the recommended treatments in Physician Data Query today, some 10% of those dying from cancer could be saved. Ernest and Isadora Rosenbaum, oncologists and authors of an article in this publication, state, “Over 50 percent of persons diagnosed with it (cancer) can be cured, and the rate increases to 75 percent when good preventive and diagnostic procedures are followed.” In other words, they imply that prompt proper treatment could reduce cancer mortality 50%! Prompt second opinions upon diagnosis would save between 50,000 and 250,000 American lives annually. The ultimate solution is a multidisciplinary second opinion. This is where a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and surgeon, if their specialty is applicable to the specific type of cancer, review a case and discuss it openly together in front of the patient. This way a patient understands all their options and is able to make an informed decision.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY SECOND OPINION INSTITUTIONS

Updated April 11, 2013 The following institutions have advised they will, when requested by a cancer patient, provide a second opinion or a multidisciplinary second opinion.

BL indicates the institution provides bilingual assistance.

STCITYBLCENTERCONTACTPHONE
ALBirmingham Birmingham Baptist Medical CenterBob Princeton205-783-7484
ALHuntsville Crestwood Medical CenterPam Hudson, MD256-880-4161
ALMobile University of South Alabama Hospitals - Mobile Infirmary Medical CenterMarcel Conrad, MD251-435-2400
ARLittle RockBLArkansas Cancer Research CenterBrian Dinsmore501-296-1505 ext. 1906
ARLittle RockBLSt. Vincent Cancer CenterPam Weaver800-446-7341
CABerkeley Alta Bates Hospital, Herrick Campus - Breast OnlyReceptionist510-204-6752
CADaly City Seton Medical CenterRose Silver415-750-5848
CALos Angeles Cedars-Sinai Health System & HospitalZahir Ali800-233-2771
CALos Angeles USC/Norris Comp. Ca. Ctr. & HospitalStaff323-865-3000
CAOaklandBLAlameda County Medical CenterLaura510-437-4997
CALa Jolla Scripps Green/Scripps ClinicPaulette Geiger858-554-8384
CALoma Linda Loma Linda University Cancer Institute Resource Ctr.Judy Chatigny909-558-3389
CAPalm SpringsBLDesert Hospital Comprehensive Ca. Ctr.Elber Camacho, MD760-416-4880
CAPasadenaBLHuntington Cancer CenterLynette Ballard626-397-5074
CARedwood City SequoiaRose Silver415-750-5848
CASacramento Sutter Cancer CenterStaff916-453-3306
CASan Francisco thesecondopinionStaff415-775-9956
CASan FranciscoBLSaint Francis Memorial Hospital 415-353-6501
CASan Francisco St. Mary's Hospital & Medical Center - Breast Cancer only 415-668-1000 ext. 6100
CASan Francisco UCSF Comprehensive Cancer CenterStaff415-885-3693
CAStanfordBLStanford Univ.Medical CenterNew Patient Coordinator650-723-7621
CAStocktonBLSt. Joseph's Cancer CenterDorene Tomei209-467-6560
COPueblo St. Mary-Corwin Medical CenterCathy Gepfert719-560-5525
CTNew Haven Yale UniversityDr. Vincent DeVita, Jr.203-785-4095
DCWashington Lombardi Cancer CenterReceptionist202-784-4000
FLJacksonvilleBLUniv. of Florida Shands Cancer CenterAmanda Baeker904-244-1045
FLMiamiBLUM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer CenterMelissa Martinez

Physician Referral
305-243-5302

305-243-5757
FLOrlando MD Anderson Cancer Center OrlandoNew Patient Referral321-841-1869
FLPensacola The Baptist Ca. Ctr.Marcia DeSonier850-469-2224
FLSarasota-ManateeCancer Center of Sarasota-Manatee &
Bradenton location
Receptionist is point of contact at both locations schedule appts. & other arrangements941-923-1872
Bradenton 941-755-0606
FLSt. PetersburgBLAll Childrens HospitalReceptionist727-767-4176
FLTampaBLH. Lee Moffitt Cancer CenterCancer Answers800-456-7121
GAAtlanta DeKalb Medical CenterCancer Center Easy Access404-EASY (3279)
GASavannah The Curtis & Elizabeth Anderson Cancer InstituteMary Blaney, RN BSN OCN877-224-8515
GASavannah Nancy & J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph's/Candler InstituteWanda Jones, RN912-692-6449
GAThomasville Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology CenterEsther Reeves800-852-2694
GAValdosta Pearlman Cancer Center - South Georgia Medical CenterLaquita Johnson229-259-4622
HIHonoluluBLStraub Clinic &HospitalTracey Hewitt, RN808-522-3335
IADes Moines John Stoddard Cancer Center/Iowa Methodist Med. Ctr.Representative515-282-2921
IAIowa City Univ of Iowa Clinical Cancer CenterPeter R. Jochimsen, MD319-356-3584
IDCoeur d'Alene North Idaho Cancer CenterCatherine Bull208-625-4719
208-625-4703
ILChicago Children's Memorial HospitalMorris Kletzel, M.D.773-880-4562
ILChicago Northwestern Memorial HospitalRepresentative312-695-0990
ILChicago Saint Mary of Nazareth Cancer CenterDr. Korather Thomas312-770-2293
ILChicago Rush Cancer Institute(Presb.St.LukesMed)Representative773-227-8870
ILChicagoUniversity of Chicago Medical Center - NCI Comp. Cancer Ctr.Intake Coordinators855-702-8222
ILJoliet Provena St. Joseph Medical CenterAndrew Tanner, MD815-741-7560
ILMaywood Cardinal Bernardine Cancer Center, Loyola University Med. Ctr.Representative708-226-4357
ILZion Cancer Treatment Center at Midwestern Regional Med. Ctr.Second Opinion Staff800-333-2822
INFort Wayne Cancer Resource Ctr. of Lutheran HospitalLinda Jordan260-435-7959
INGoshen Center for Cancer CareStacey866-226-2371 or 866-775-4673
INIndianapolis Indiana University Melvin & Bren Simon Cancer Center (NCI Designation)Patient Services
Requires a physician referral
317-278-4822
INIndianapolis St. Vincent Cancer Center& Staff866-415-6789
INPlymouth Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Ctr.Second Opinion Representative574-935-2353
INSouth Bend St. Joseph's Regional Medical Ctr.Second Opinion Representative574-237-8010
KSGarden City The Cancer Center at St. Catherine HospitalSurendra Verma, MD620-272-2102
KSHutchinsonBLChalmers Cancer Treatment CenterSteve Braun, M.D.316-662-1212
KSKansas City Heartland Cancer Research and Treatment CenterDiane Fletcher913-236-6986
KSKansas CityBLUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterPhysician Referral, RN913-588-1227
KYOwensboro Owensboro Mercy Health SystemRhonda Paul270-688-2768
KYBowling Green Greenview Regional HospitalRepresentive270-793-3010
KYLouisville Norton Hospital Cancer Help LineJudy Fisher800-555-6772
LANew Orleans Ochsner Cancer InstituteSue Champagne504-842-3910
MABoston Brigham and Women's HospitalRepresentative800-320-0022
MABoston Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteRepresentative800-320-0022
MABoston Boston Medical CenterStaff617-638-6428
MABoston St. Elizabeth's Medical CenterMargaret Sullivan617-789-2442
MABoston New England Medical CenterElaine Gauthier617-636-2626
MDBaltimore The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns HopkinsRepresentative410-955-8964
MDBaltimore U of MD Greenebaum Cancer CenterKevin J. Cullen, M.D.410-328-7904
MDBaltimore St. Agnes Health Care-Cancer CenterCarol Webb410-368-3412
MDTowson Greater Baltimore Medical CenterSarah Jacque443-849-3322
MELewiston Central Maine Medical CenterNicholette Erickson, MD207-795-2935
MEScarborough Maine Medical CenterRobert Hillman, MD207-885-7680
MIAnn Arbor University of Michigan Comprehensive Ca CtrCancer Information Nurses800-865-1125
MIDetroit Josephine Ford CancerCenterRepresentative888-734-5322
MIDetroit Karmanos Cancer InstituteJudy Hatfield800-527-6266
MIKalamazoo West Michigan Cancer CenterRepresentative616-382-2500
MNDuluth Duluth Clinic Cancer CenterRepresentative218-786-3625
MNMinneapolis Park Nicollet Cancer CenterNan Quade952-993-2068
MNMinneapolis Hennepin Comprehensive Ca. Ctr.Rita Larson612-347-8781
MNRobbinsdale Hubert H. Humphrey Cancer CenterLinda Johnson, MS763-520-1144
MOKansas City St. Luke's HospitalSt. Luke's Cancer Institute accepts only doctor referrals.816-932-6220
MOKansas City Children's Mercy HospitalAlan S. Gamis, MD816-234-3265
MOSt. Louis Barnes-Jewish HospitalStaff - automated system - punch 3800-600-3606
MOSt. Louis St. John's Mercy Cancer CenterCancer Answer Line314-251-6400
MSColumbus Baptist Memorial HospitalLisa Colvin662-244-4673
MTBozeman Bozeman Deaconess Cancer CenterJill Welch406-585-5070
MTHelena St. Peter's HospitalScott S. Smith, CMD406-444-2381
NCChapel Hill University of North Carolina-Clinical Cancer CenterSandra919-966-4224
NCCharlotte Presbyterian Cancer CenterGenella Roseboro704-384-5373
NCDurham Duke University Comprehensive Cancer CenterDuke Consultation & Referral Ctr.800-633-3853
NCGreensboro Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center - Moses Cone Health SystemNick Carroll, New Patient Coordinator336-832-0754
NEOmaha Univ. of Nebraska Eppley Cancer CenterKenneth Cowan,MD, PhD402-559-4238
NEOmaha Methodist Cancer CenterKathy Christiansen402-354-5276
NEScottsbluff Regional West Medical CenterJerry Pope308-630-1145
NHLebanon Norris Cotton Cancer CenterDeb Steele800-639-6918
NJHackensack The Cancer Center at Hackensack University Med. Ctr.Patient Referrals201-996-5855
NJNew Brunswick The Cancer Institute of New JerseyNew Patient Referrals732-235-6777
NMAlbuquerque Dr. Paul R. DuncanSt. Joseph Healthcare505-938-5858
NMAlbuquerque Presbyterian Healthcare ServicesJamie McDonald505-841-1561
NVLas Vegas University Medical CenterFina Wardle702-383-2500
NVReno Washoe Medical CenterCancer Services775-982-5638
NYBinghamton Lourdes Reg Cancer CenterRobin Donohoe607-798-5307
NYBronxBLOur Lady Of Mercy Cancer CenterPeter H. Wiernik, MD718-304-7220
NYNew YorkBLRuttenberg Ca. Ctr. Mount Sinai Med. Ctr.Karen Waite212-241-6756
NYNew YorkBLSt. Luke's Roosevelt Cancer CenterThelma M. Navarro212-844-8238
NYNew YorkBLBeth Israel Cancer CenterThelma M. Navarro212-844-8238
NYRochester Univ. of Rochester Cancer Center2nd Opinion Info.585-275-5830
OHCincinnatiBLChildren's Hospital Medical CenterDebra Freese513-303-1709
OHCleveland Cleveland Clinic - Cancer CenterRepresentative216-444-7923
OHCleveland Ireland Cancer Center(Univ.)Rosalie Tyner800-641-2422
OHColumbus Arthur James Ca Hosp/Ohio State Univ.Dr. David Schuller800-293-5066
OHDelaware Grady Memorial HospitalVicki Maggard740-368-5383
OHMayfield Heights Merida Hillcrest HospitalVirginia Kerekes440-473-4228
OHWarren Trumbull Memorial HospitalNancy Hopsdor330-884-4152
OHYoungstown Northside Medical CenterNancy Hopsdor330-884-4152
OKOklahoma City Oklahoma University Medical Center - Children as wellKathy Baker405-271-2627
OKTulsa Cancer Treatment Center of TulsaPattie Berens800-333-2822
ORPortland Adventist Medical CenterGerry Taylor503-251-6263
ORPortland Legacy Cancer ServicesCharlyn Wilson503-413-7250
ORPortland Oregon Health ServicesUniversityDebbie Sannes503-494-6594
PAPhiladelphia Cancer Treatment Center at Eastern Regional Med. Ctr.Second Opinion Staff800-333-2822
PAPhiladelphiaBLFox Chase Cancer CenterPatricia Stanley215-728-3622
PAPhiladelphiaBLFrankford Hospital Cancer CenterPatient Referral215-612-4300
PAPhiladelphiaBLJefferson's Kimmel Cancer CenterPatient Referral Services800-Jeff-now (800-533-3669)
PAPhiladelphiaBLUniv. of Pennsylvania Cancer CenterPatient Referral Services800-789-7366
PAPittsburghBLMagee - Womens HospitalDonna Hope412-641-4747
PAPittsburghBLUniversity of Pittsburgh Cancer InstituteCancer Information Specialists412-647-2811
RIProvidence Roger Williams Cancer CenterMary Ann Taylor401-456-2100
SCCharleston Roper Cancer CenterHealth Services843-402-CARE (843-402-2273)
SCSpartanburg Spartansburg Regional Medical CenterRichard K. Orr, MD864-560-1576
TNKnoxvilleBLThompson Cancer Survival CenterPam Murph865-541-1757
TNKnoxvilleBLUniversity of Tennessee Cancer CenterNancy Vineyard865-544-9572
TNMemphisBL(Children Only) St. Jude ChildrensNancy Parnell901-495-3277
TNMemphisBLMethodist Health Care-MedsearchStaff901-726-8686
TNNashvilleBLHenry Joyce Cancer Clinic (Vanderbilt)Janet Iacolino615-322-6053
TXArlingtonBLArlington Cancer CenterNew Patient Coordinator800-344-8351
TXDallasBLUN.Of TX Southwestern Medical CenterNew Patient Coordinator214-648-3111
TXGalvestonBLUTMB Cancer CenterDr. Dennie Jones888-772-5564
TXHoustonBLMD Anderson Cancer CenterNew Patient Referrel800-392-1611
TXLubbockBLJoe Arrington Ca. Research & Treat. Ctr.Mary Beth Stalcup806-725-7962
TXLubbock Southwest Cancer CenterShelly Miles806-775-8600
TXSan Antonio San Antonio Cancer Institute/Phase I Clinical Trials only/Solid Tumors onlyEpp Goodwin210-616-5798
UTSalt Lake CityBLUniversity of Utah Medical CenterSusan Foss801-585-0124
VARichmond Massey Cancer Center(VCU)Stephanie Brunner804-828-5116
VTBennington Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer CenterLetha Mills, MD802-447-5600
WABellingham St. Joseph HospitalShelly Smits360-738-6740
WAOlympia Western WashingtonCancer Treat. CenterMelody Edgington360-754-3934
WASeattleBLSeattle Cancer Care Alliance includes Fred Hutchinson Cancer Res. Center University of Washington Medicine, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical CenterClinical Coordinator800-804-8824
WASeattle Puget Sound Cancer CenterReceptionist206-365-8252
WASeattle Providence Seattle Medical CenterMehmet Fer, MD206-227-2491
WASpokane Holy Family HospitalRepresentative509-474-5490
WASpokane Sacred Heart Medical CenterRepresentative800-228-6618
WIEau Claire Sacred Heart HospitalStaff715-839-3956
WIMadison Meriter Hospital, Inc.Representative608-267-6403
WIMadisonBLUniversity of Wisconsin Cancer CenterCancer Connect Office800-622-8922
WIMilwaukee Froedtert Memorial Lutheran HospitalJoanne Neuman414-805-3666
WIMilwaukee St. Luke's Medical CenterCarla Rohloff, RN, BSN414-385-2362
WVFairmont Fairmont General HospitalTrisha Julian304-367-7247
WVParkersburg Camden-Clark MemorialJosie Poling304-424-2744
WVWheeling Wheeling HospitalLynn Wood304-243-3260