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Posted 4/20/2015 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
has anyone gone or talked to these people, there always on tv, cancer centers of amer, they e-mailed me saying their pats live longer then going to reg hosps ?
Posted 4/20/2015 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
I talked to them. I got word that they tend to "overkill" with treatment.

I'd recommend exploring other research hospitals and Cancer centers as well.
Posted 4/20/2015 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
I had a life changing terrible experience with them back in 2009 involving salvage radiation, no way I could or would ever recommend them to anyone.
Posted 4/20/2015 10:37 AM (GMT 0)
I think it all depends on what you're going there for. I have a cousin who had excellent treatment and results for ovarian cancer. I don't know of anyone who's been there for Prostate cancer though.
Posted 4/20/2015 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!

If it was that good, wouldn't we all go there?

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 4/20/2015 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Don't have any personal experience, but in following several boards over the last 6 years there have been a lot of negative comments, much more than any other institution. There are just too many good institutions around to take a chance with one that received so many negative comments.
Posted 4/20/2015 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
I have a couple of friends that used them for other cancers and have done well. David is the only one I know of that used them for PCa. I think with any clinic or doctor, you have to get the specifics and see why they are the best for you. Some of the approaches they advertise regarding the non-medical aspects of treatment (diet, stress management) etc. certainly garner attention as too many doctors don't take us there.

I know in Atlanta they offer a full range of PCa treatments including HDR brachytherapy. I would want to know their throughput to measure against other practitioners to see whether they do enough procedures to really be reliable. Their adds and infomercials are well done. Though, I have heard that they have made claims they had to back away from and it concerns me that they are such heavy advertisers.
Posted 4/20/2015 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
I believe our brother Wings Of Eagles was treated at one of their centers?

I did research them early on at that point in my journey. What I found would line up with what John T and JNF stated; I also found information that indicated they are very "selective" in terms of who they treat for PCa so as to produce better statistics - that may be in line with JNF stated about backing away from some of their claims / advertisements.

Just some input - again, I have no personal experience either way, other than doing some early on research.
Posted 4/20/2015 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Seems they wanted to or it was common for them to do brachytherapy PLUS external radiation on most all patients. I would check them, and others, out for sure.
Posted 4/20/2015 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I called them, I think it was the Tulsa center. They said they only take medicare at one of their centers and I can't remember which one.

Carl
Posted 4/20/2015 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
I posted this in another thread a few months back; it bears repeating here:

In March 2013 the Reuters news service published an investigation into CTCA (which is a for-profit enterprise), looking at how it comes up with its survival statistics and how it selects the patients it treats. The lead reporter is a longtime science/health writer and editor and knows her stuff.

A member of an oral cancer community where I've been active for several years (husband had OC; I've been lurking here because my brother-in-law was diagnosed with PC) also noted that while CTCA does offer conventional therapies, the highly promoted add-ons (naturopathy, etc.) may not be covered by insurance -- so presumably those costs would come out of your pocket.

Post Edited (Bluepencil) : 4/21/2015 7:34:26 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/20/2015 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
I live in an Illinois community which has a CTCA facility. My wife worked there quite a few years ago when it was called "American International Hospital."

I think the comments in this thread are pretty fair. It is a private, for-profit hospital, so they don't accept a lot of Medicare patients unless they have secondary insurance. Their website is pretty thorough.

I've heard the accusations that they cherry pick their patients, but having lived near the facility for decades, and having know people who work there as well as people who have been treated there, I would also add that many of their patients come there only after other hospitals have failed them or they've been told there is no hope.

I didn't go there for treatment, primarily because my urologist doesn't practice there. So, I didn't even check to see if they would accept my insurance. I don't think our facility has a DaVinci machine, either.

I would say don't rule them out, but look around and see which facility is best suited to your needs and your financial situation, and with which you feel comfortable. Best of luck to you.
Posted 4/20/2015 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Kenny 123,
I have been dx with advanced PC and have indeed been getting great treatment at CTCA at Phoenix for the past 2 1/2 years. I am so sorry to hear of others especially Purgatory's plight from the over radiation treatment he had received. I have read and heard some derogatory remarks about the Center from posters, including here on your tread. Believe what you may, I happen to fall on the side of support for CTCA, and the many excellent doctors, nurses, surgeons, technicians and staff that compassionately work there.

I do not wish to engage in anyone on a debate on this place. I would rather contact you by your e-mail later tonight to discuss my journey so far there. To each his own, everyone has to make their own informed choice. But to only hear from the limited number on his site would be unfair. Wherever you get treatment Kenny, stay informed, seek out all the best options for your particular battle, and from your prior posts, it shows that you are indeed well informed. My best advice as always, for what it is worth, Keep the Faith,
Dan in So Cal.
Posted 4/21/2015 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
The general rule (no, not a numbered one) is that we avoid negative comments about named doctors and providers, partly for calm on the board, and partly to avoid even threats of legal action (there have been more than a few).

That said, if a member has a negative situation with them, a private email is always the best way to go.
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