[Eddie]

Transplant center in New York City area?

by Eddie on Sun Jun 21, 2015 11:56 pm

Dear Myeloma Beacon community,

Before I start with my question, let me state the obvious: there is no correct and objective answer to my question. What I am looking for is some insight based on both personal and hearsay experiences, as well as some comments to aid in my further research/thinking.

Background Info:

• I live in New Jersey, and work in Manhattan (New York City).
• I have seen 3 different myeloma specialists in Hackensack, Weill Cornell and Mount Sinai.
• I have not been to Sloan Kettering.
• I am currently undergoing RVD (Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone) induction therapy in Mount Sinai with the expectation to undergo an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in September.

With my specialist being in Mount Sinai, the obvious place of ACST is Mount Sinai. But there are other choices to consider:

• Hackensack UMC is the best choice for my family as they also live in New Jersey and traveling to the hospital would be easier for them while I go thought the transplant.
• Mount Sinai is a convenient choice for me as my myeloma specialist is there.
• I have read plenty of positive experiences from Sloan Kettering by the active users in this forum.

Million Dollar Question:

I am relatively young (43) and would like not to settle with just an “Ok” transplant center, but choose the best. With NY/NJ having few fine establishments, is Mount Sinai the best choice for me? What would be the possible reasons I should turn away from Mount Sinai?

If you are not comfortable to post negative comments about any transplant center in the open forum, I will appreciate you sending me a Private Message.

Thanks in advance,
Eddie

P.S. I have read many posts about Mount Sinai and MSKCC, including Autologous stem cell transplant at Mount Sinai (started Nov 17, 2014)

[JPC]

Re: Transplant center in New York City area?

by JPC on Mon Jun 22, 2015 1:23 pm

Good day Eddie:

Each of those centers you mention are led by nationally/internationally recognized specialists, and have a solid reputation. In terms of differentiation, my opinion is that the center that does the greatest volume is probably set up to deal with a wider variety of issues that might pop up, and will be somewhat of a safer bet in the case that anything goes wrong. Sometimes that info is not easily obtainable for the general public (sometimes it is), but if you are speaking with the medical staff at each location, they should be able to tell you.

I would advise you, however, to consider the following. Go to each website, and see whether or not any of the centers have a clinical study that appeals to you. A trial may afford you the opportunity to get an "extra" drug or treatment approach that is not yet readily available, but based on your research, you found interesting or valuable. There are different trials available at the different centers. The potential trial, of course, has to work for you in your case, and you need to qualify for the trial.

[Bar-none]

Re: Transplant center in New York City area?

by Bar-none on Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:38 pm

Hi Eddie,

An interesting side note: Dr Bart Barlogie, world renowned and controversial myeloma specialist, is reported to be relocating his practice to Mt Sinai.

Dr. Barlogie is reportedly moving to Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan in the next couple of months, where he will join the staff of Dr. Sundar Jagannath, with whom he worked thirty years ago at MD Anderson.

You can certainly find much reading on this site and others regarding Dr Barlogie.

https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/barlogie-rajkumar-cure-vs-control-debate-t791.html

I must admit, if I was your age, I would want to at least know about his Total Therapy approach as part of my research.

All the best! BN

[Melanie]

Re: Transplant center in New York City area?

by Melanie on Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:01 am

Hi Eddie,

Not sure if this will help, but my husband is currently a patient of Dr Jagannath. He has just completed his stem cell harvest, and we expect a date for his transplant when we see him this Friday. Not sure when you need to make a decision by, but if you are interested I can keep you apprised of our experience when he does have his transplant.

[mikeb]

Re: Transplant center in New York City area?

by mikeb on Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:05 pm

Hi Eddie,

As JPC said, all of the centers you mentioned have very good reputations.

I am being treated at and had my autologous stem cell transplant at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I've been extremely pleased with the care I've received there over the past 2 1/2 years.

Good luck with your decision! And please let us know what you decide and keep us posted on how your transplant goes.

Mike