Good oncology/ colorectal surgeon in atlanta

[ecranda]

I am a physician and just recently found out my father has colon cancer near the cecum. I unfortunately do not live where he does and have few connections. Do any of you know a good surgeon in atlanta that i could see about getting him set up with? Thanks.

Feel free to pm me if you would rather.

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[SLUser11]

I am a physician and just recently found out my father has colon cancer near the cecum. I unfortunately do not live where he does and have few connections. Do any of you know a good surgeon in atlanta that i could see about getting him set up with? Thanks.

Feel free to pm me if you would rather.

Stephen Cohen is an excellent colorectal surgeon based in Atlanta. He has excellent decision-making.

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. Good luck.

 

[angleoflouise]

Also from that same group I recommend Dr. Raoul Mayer. I have worked with him directly. He is excellent.

 

[core0]

I am a physician and just recently found out my father has colon cancer near the cecum. I unfortunately do not live where he does and have few connections. Do any of you know a good surgeon in atlanta that i could see about getting him set up with? Thanks.

Feel free to pm me if you would rather.

These guys can do big whacks or simpler resections:
http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/physicians/s/sullivan-patrick.html
http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/physicians/s/staley-charles.html
http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/physicians/d/delman-keith.html
http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/physicians/k/kooby-david.html

Also probably want to go in through a cancer center:
http://winshipcancer.emory.edu/colorectal-cancer/WinshipContentPage.aspx?nd=629

 

[SLUser11]

These guys can do big whacks or simpler resections:
http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/physicians/s/sullivan-patrick.html
http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/physicians/s/staley-charles.html
http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/physicians/d/delman-keith.html
http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/physicians/k/kooby-david.html

Also probably want to go in through a cancer center:
http://winshipcancer.emory.edu/colorectal-cancer/WinshipContentPage.aspx?nd=629

I don't know those surgeons personally, but only one of them is CRS trained, and he is relatively new in practice. For the surgical oncologists listed, I don't know if any of them specialize in colorectal surgery and do a large volume of complex laparoscopic colon surgery.

I believe that some surgical oncologists are excellent at colorectal surgery, but it is very much dependent on volume and experience. If it's a surgeon who does mostly pancreatectomies, but also does an occasional colectomy for cancer, he/she may not offer the same surgery that a full-time colorectal surgeon can offer.

I'm also not sure how critical it is to use a "cancer center." Sometimes, these are great, but other times can be gimmicky (not always affiliated with a university, centered more on profit, etc), and are not necessary for all colon cancers. There are a lot of good colorectal surgeons in Atlanta that aren't specifically associated with one, including this group which sponsors a fellowship.

 

[doc05]

really? you need a "colorectal" specialist to take out a right colon?

I don't do general anymore but when I was in training, open or lap, the right colons were pretty easy.

 

[SLUser11]

really? you need a "colorectal" specialist to take out a right colon?

I don't do general anymore but when I was in training, open or lap, the right colons were pretty easy.

It sort of depends. I think title is irrelevant. Volume is king.

Right colons are certainly the least technically demanding of colon surgery. If anything, I was making the point that if someone asks for a "specialist" for their colon cancer, then a colorectal surgeon is probably the safest bet.

 

[Smurfette]

really? you need a "colorectal" specialist to take out a right colon?

I don't do general anymore but when I was in training, open or lap, the right colons were pretty easy.

Glad someone else said this since I am just a lowly general surgeon (who did an extended right hemi for cancer 2 days ago....).

 

[SLUser11]

Glad someone else said this since I am just a lowly general surgeon (who did an extended right hemi for cancer 2 days ago....).

I feel like my post was misunderstood. I was responding to the suggestion that surgical oncologists at a cancer center offer the most comprehensive colorectal cancer care. If anything, my post suggests that title is irrelevant and cancer centers are unnecessary.

"Lowly general surgeons" perform the vast majority of colectomies in the US, and I certainly dont believe all colectomies ned to be performed by a specialist. Pelvic surgery is a different story, though.

 

[Smurfette]

Gotcha. I agree about the pelvic surgeries, actually.

It does seem that people on SDN often get caught up in the subspecialty division of cases (likely due to how things are divvied at the academic centers) and forget that outside of academics, there are people who can deal with a variety of cases competently despite no formal fellowship training. Knowing when to refer is important, but not every problem requires a "specialist".

 

[core0]

I don't know those surgeons personally, but only one of them is CRS trained, and he is relatively new in practice. For the surgical oncologists listed, I don't know if any of them specialize in colorectal surgery and do a large volume of complex laparoscopic colon surgery.

I believe that some surgical oncologists are excellent at colorectal surgery, but it is very much dependent on volume and experience. If it's a surgeon who does mostly pancreatectomies, but also does an occasional colectomy for cancer, he/she may not offer the same surgery that a full-time colorectal surgeon can offer.

I'm also not sure how critical it is to use a "cancer center." Sometimes, these are great, but other times can be gimmicky (not always affiliated with a university, centered more on profit, etc), and are not necessary for all colon cancers. There are a lot of good colorectal surgeons in Atlanta that aren't specifically associated with one, including this group which sponsors a fellowship.

All of these surgeons are more than competent at complex laprascopic colorectal surgery. Its a good question to ask.

As for cancer centers, I think its important to differentiate between NCI Cancer Centers and "Cancer Centers". NCI Cancer Center have demonstrably better outcomes than community programs and access to more investigative protocols. That being said, the vast majority of colon cancer is treated in community hospitals. The trick is to make sure complex cases are sent to centers that can handle them. Doesn't always happen.

 

[SLUser11]

All of these surgeons are more than competent at complex laprascopic colorectal surgery. Its a good question to ask.

As for cancer centers, I think its important to differentiate between NCI Cancer Centers and "Cancer Centers". NCI Cancer Center have demonstrably better outcomes than community programs and access to more investigative protocols. That being said, the vast majority of colon cancer is treated in community hospitals. The trick is to make sure complex cases are sent to centers that can handle them. Doesn't always happen.

Agreed.👍 Those "cancer centers" seem a little dirty to me.

I think as long as the guys you mentioned do high-volume laparoscopic colon surgery, they are perfectly fine.

 

[DrNick Riviera]

All of these surgeons are more than competent at complex laprascopic colorectal surgery. Its a good question to ask.

As for cancer centers, I think its important to differentiate between NCI Cancer Centers and "Cancer Centers". NCI Cancer Center have demonstrably better outcomes than community programs and access to more investigative protocols. That being said, the vast majority of colon cancer is treated in community hospitals. The trick is to make sure complex cases are sent to centers that can handle them. Doesn't always happen.

False.

Delman does no colorectal cancer, is predominantly melanoma and sarcoma.
Staley does some lap colons, but mostly debulking and HiPEC now.
Kooby does a fair bit of complex lap cases and some colons.
Sullivan (as mentioned) is the only fellowship trained colorectal surgeon on that list.

There are two groups at Piedmont Hospital (Jay Singh, in particular) who are more than competent and all have fellowship training and do a ridiculous volume of complex lap colons.