Deedee, all I can say is this---if your friend is in Houston or is able to travel there, s/he should seek treatment at M.D. Anderson. Period.

I have linked to one of the stories below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Patient Sues Houston Doctor for Fraud

Thank you kswl. I'll forward that on to her.

If any one else has any input, please do!

deedee,

I know many people who have gone to MD Anderson for cancer treatment, as we live about 3 hours from there. If I or a family member ever needed treatment, that is exactly where I would go. HEre are a couple of links for you:

http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/facts-and-history/institutional-profile/u-s-news-rankings/index.html

http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/facts-and-history/quick-facts/index.html

FWIW, I have not heard of the Burzynski Clinic, but MD Anderson is the gold standard in this area for cancer care. Just my $0.02 worth, though!

Burzynski is an MD, but some years ago slipped off the straight & narrow. His clinic is not one to try. MD Anderson is the gold standard, among several others. See the link below. His clinic has made headlines, but in all the wrong places.

Here is a link that might be useful: Burzynski clinic

Thank you jbrig and leel. I'll forward this thread to her.
Thanks again to you too jswl.

The power of the internet is so amazing when people like you reach out to strangers.

Jane is particularly looking for someone who has been treated at The Burzynski Clinic so that she can get first hand information, so if anyone else has info please post.

I do not have any information about the Burzynski Clinic, but I can vouch for MD Anderson!

I became an MD Anderson patient in May, and we have been so impressed with my care, the doctors and nurses, and the scheduling of various appointments/testing, etc.

MD Anderson has arrangements with many hotels for discounted rates. If your friend becomes a patient there, she'll get a big packet in the mail with all kinds of information about where to stay (many hotels have discounted rates for MDA patients) and information about MDA. Valet parking is free on your first visit.

Best wishes to your friend!

Thank you baylorbear. I'll make sure Jane sees your post.

Best wishes to you too!

I'm sorry, but I have a totally different perspective of MD Anderson, which was a JOKE in regards to my mom having an appt with them. Took one wasted trip to find out they didn't know what they were doing. My mom got a Dr. that only works part time, so was very hard to get into see her. Initially, took forever to even get them to call you back and get an appt in the first place. I could go on an on.

Thank you for your response olliesmom. I'll let Jane know about your post and your experience at MDA.

Thank you for taking the time to share your best friend's stepmother's experience. I'm glad she is doing well.

Jane will appreciate your response uberbeachy.

FYI -- the five year survival rate for non Hodgkins lymphoma patients of all races and ethnicities was up to 69.5% as of 2007. It's a VERY treatable disease. It's difficult to choose a cancer center based on successful treatment statistics when those statistics are not verified by any third party or agency. That might be something for your friend to look into when she is comparing different places. Best of luck to her as she embarks on this journey.

Thank you kswl. That is encouraging news. You're so right - how to sort the information is half the battle.

Thanks again.

deedee, I also have no knowledge of the Burzynski Clinic. However, my brother-in-law is currently being treated at MDA for esophageal cancer. We live in Wisconsin and he traveled to Houston for treatment. He has nothing but good to say of MDA.

Thank you mary_lu. I appreciate you taking the time to share your brother-in-law's experience.

Best wishes to your bil!

I have never heard of Burzynski. I can't imagine being willing/able to go to Houston and not going to MD Anderson. I was treated there 30 years ago for a recurrence of a rare and deadly type of bone cancer. I don't think I'd be here today were it not for MDA. I met another woman when I was there with the same diagnosis who initially chose not to go to MDA even though she lived in Houston. She was treated at another local facility until her disease progressed to the point she was paralyzed from the waist down and was told nothing more could be done for her. She then decided to go to MDA. She too was cured and we have been friends ever since.

I don't think I'd be here today were it not for MDA

Such a powerful testimonial gibby3000. Thank you for sharing and so glad you received such wonderful care.

I feel so honored to be a part of this forum. Thank you to all who have given my friend some thought, whether you were able to respond with information or not.

âÂÂToo often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.âÂÂ

~Leo F. Buscaglia

I am still forwarding these to Jane, so please continue with any input.