Cancer Treatment Centers of America?

Question

I have a friend who as of today was just diagnoised with breast cancer, stage 2. We are thinking of trying to get her down to Cancer Treatment Center of Zion, IL and was wondering if anyone had any good (or bad) experiences there and if they considered the treatment appropriate and helpful. We live 500 miles from there, but we want to see if we can get her up there. Just wanting some input, thanks.

Answer 1

The CTCA is not on the designated cancer center list and is not considered a comprehensive cancer center in the US. You can find a list of each states designated cancer centers online. These cancer centers network with each other to provide current information on all types of cancer treatment and research. Many are the top facilities in the world.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/NCI/cancer-centers

Keep in mind that Cancer Treatment Centers of America are a private facility and not all insurance policies will cover them. If you have a lot of money they will take you. I also have heard that they turn certain cancer type patients away, especially if you have anything that is at all rare. (I know two sarcoma patients that they refused to treat and another cancer patient who said they could have gotten the identical treatment at a local hospital that would not have been as expensive).

They might be fine with a stage 11 breast cancer though . . but they will want to know first if you can afford them.

http://www.cancercenter.com/patient-services/financial-questions.cfm

Answer 2

If they use the tomotherapy machine on her I would highly recommend it.

Illinois
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
3815 Highland Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515

[phone]

Go to the Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital website CTCA Midwestern Regional Medical Center
2520 Elisha Avenue
Zion, IL 60099

[phone]

Go to the CTCA Midwestern Regional Medical Center website Joliet Oncology and Hematology Associates
2614 Jefferson Street
Joliet IL 60435

[phone]

Resurrection Medical Center
7435 West Talcott Avenue
Chicago , IL 60631

[phone]

Go to the Resurrection Medical Center website Rush University Medical Center
1650 West Harrison
Chicago, IL 60612

[phone]

[e-mail]

Go to the Rush University Medical Center website

Answer 3

Well you came to the right avatar!
My Dad went there [ from NJ ] after the docs there basically gave up on him. As far as I am concerned, his treatment was excellent! We were too late - he died the third day.
I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in Nov 04 - I am a 'dependent wife' so got my treatment at Bethesda National.
They do good work!
I have had: double mastectomy, double reconstruction, [ one side flunked and I need another surgery ], chemo and radiation.
I would suggest seeing what the surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist suggest, before you go so far away from home.
Chemo and radiation both take weeks.
Contact me at: [e-mail]

Answer 4

i do not know how they are rated but there are sites you can visit that show how the various are rated around the country. i called them about six months ago for my aunt who was suffering with cancer and they were more interested in the type of insurance she had than what her diagnosis was. we did not proceed with them. this does not mean that they are good or bad , i just am not sure. we did not have the right feel for us , but this is a hard decision she will have to make given she is fighting for her life. there is a center in new york. kettering (spelling) i think that is rated the best. given that you life in the midwest, have you considered mayo clinic in rochester minnesota ? you can go to their website and download the forms to have her doctor sign to refer her there. the doctor needs to indicate on the form when she needs to be seen , week, month, year. this is the only way to get an appt. there without waiting a year or more. best of luck to your friend.

Answer 5

I am a stage 2b breast cancer survivor from northern Michigan. I have been going to C.T.C.A. since November 2012. I have Blue Cross insurance. I feel that they did excellent work. They have been making some non-supportive changes as of late and I am not happy about and may change my care to Karmanos in southern Michigan.

Answer 6

Ive seen those commercials and it looks like they give you a better chance of surviving good luck and try changing your diet it also helps

Answer 7

i went to MD Anderson in Houston, TX. it is worth the trip. they are wonderful, my prognosis was terrible, but they kicked ***. God Bless your friend.