Choosing the right Doc & Hospital

it was classified as pT2aNXMX

Kittie lee....you said the tumor had progressed to invasive.....but invasive to what? What did the pathology report say? Is it muscle invasive? high grade? Did Dr. Chang suggest a second TURB?
Pat

We're here at Vanderbilt today and have met with Dr. Chang. He is quite the proponent for chemotherapy before the cystectomy due to the fact that tumors are often understaged for a variety of reasons. May I ask the membership about their experience/opinion with preventative chemotherapy?

Patricia,
Thank you for responding to my question. I have contacted Vanderbilt and I am very impressed. We have an appointment for the last week of this month with Dr. Chang. Many thanks for the information. We are still looking to interview other Docs in order to feel comfortable after talking with 2 or 3. Has anyone reading this reply dealt with UAB or Emory and have something to share (positive or not)?

Kittylee....The best places in the southeast are Johns Hopkins and Dr. Mark Schoenberg who is a top bladder cancer surgeon urology.jhu.edu/markschoenberg/index.php .......Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center..Dr. Chang www.vicc.org/dd/display.php?id=3907
I haven't heard much about Alabama or Georgia in regard to bladder cancer.
Pat

Hi folks,
I'm new to the site (and forums) but have spent the last couple of days reading your posts and discussions. My husband, Ron, now 65, was originally diagnosed with superficial BLC Fall of 2004. Turp and 3 years of BCG kept it at bay until now and he has an invasive reoccurance. We are in that stage now where we are trying to learn all that we can about choosing the right doctor and hospital for surgery and reconstruction options. We have not talked to anyone yet about surgery except the urologist that says it is indicated. We live in the Southeast. My question to the members is: Has anyone used a doctor in Alabama or Georgia? And is it okay to talk about specific treatment centers here? Thanks, bunches, for your help.