Please recommend your breast surgeon and oncologist
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| New to all of this. Who are the best in the area or should I consider looking outside of the DC area? |
Anonymous
| Go to an NCI-Designated Cancer Center. The ones closest to the DMV are Georgetown, UMD and Hopkins. I started with a local practice and then went to Hopkins for a second opinion. My care at Hopkins was top notch. My breast surgeon is now retired, my reconstruction surgeon was Dr. Sacks and my oncologist is Dr. Wolff. |
Anonymous
| Thank you so much! Happy to hear from others as well. |
Anonymous
| Marie Pennanen in Chevy Chase was wonderful. |
Anonymous
|
I recommend the fairly new Inova Schar cancer center near Inova Fairfax hospital. They have pulled a lot of the top drs from Georgetown and I’ve received great care there. A second opinion from MSK was nearly identical in treatment options.
Breast surgeon rec at Schar: Dr. Cocilovo. Dr. Willey, well known from Georgetown, is there too now. Breast surgeon rec at Virginia Cancer Specialists: Dr. Akbari or Dr. Vargas Oncologist rec at Schar: Dr. Harnden or Dr. Rizzo Good luck OP, the worst time (well ok Chemo has been the worst time) is before you get a team and have a plan in place. |
Anonymous
| Thank you so much PP! What do you think ultimately drives decisions around who to pick - reputation, location, how quickly surgery can be done? |
Anonymous
| Eleni Tousimis at Georgetown -- the best. |
Anonymous
| For me, location was a big factor because I needed a weekly chemo regimen and will continue to need targeted therapy for a year. Reputation of surgeon was the biggest factor in choosing that person, and then personal connection with oncologist (Dr. Harnden) who I will spend most time with) was a big factor as well as her reputation (which is up and coming, she is younger but very well regarded . Having them in same center for coordination has been easier but you can certainly mix/match. I listed others that I met with and also really liked (Akbari) or have friends who have raved about their drs (Rizzo, Vargas). |
Anonymous
| Has anyone tried Pamela Wright as breast surgeon in Bethesda? |
Anonymous
|
Kirstin Edmiston - surgeon
Kathleen Harnden - medical oncologist Also, check out google life with cancer and go to the lifewithcancer.org website - there are many helpful support groups and classes and services |
Anonymous
I tried to see her but could only get an appointment with her colleague, Bonnie Sun. She was awful, so if you can't be seen by Dr. Wright, take a hard pass. I wish you better health. |
Anonymous
I met with Dr. Edmiston for a consult and I was very impressed. She is very personable, warm, to the point person |
Anonymous
I do not recommend Dr. Vargas. He wanted to automatically remove ALL lymph nodes even though I only had one positive node and poo-pooed my concerns about lymphedema. Then I ended up getting blood clots from my port insertion - which I later found out was actually done by an intern at VHC - and when I was at his office with a swollen arm they told me it was due to the chemo. Fortunately I went to an ER the next day. And when I developed a rash from the surgiprep, he denied I could have an allergy to it (it turns out that I do). After my chemo I ended up going to Hopkins for my surgery. I've heard good things about Dr. Willey too. |
Anonymous
+1. Dr. Wright’s office was awful when I tried to see Wright instead of Dr. Sun. Do NOT recommend that practice. |
Anonymous
|
Breast surgeon: Dr. Sarah Bruce ++++ at Inova
Oncologist: Dr. Favret +++, I didn’t need chemo or radiation but she has very good reputation |