Dr. Chang at Stanford / radiation

[Sueoelke]

I've seen quite a few messages with great feedback regarding Dr. Chang at Stanford for radiation treatment.  Can anybody provide Dr. Chang's first name?  I'm assuming it is Dr. Steven D. Chang, but just want to confirm.  Also, does anybody have any recent info/opinions on both him and the Stanford facility in general?  This afternoon I'm seeing a local radiation doctor in Milwaukee who I was referred to by my ENT and neurosurgeon.  He also came highly recommended by a close friend who works at another hospital in the area.  I just want to keep my options open and seek a 2nd opinion. 

[kejac]

https://stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/c/steven-chang.html

That's him

[john1455]

Yep, kejac is correct, that's him. I was very pleased with my CyberKnife treatment at Stanford and the facilities were top notch. When it comes to AN treatment, it's all about experience and I doubt that there are very many physicians or facilities that have as much AN experience as Stanford. After all, that was where CyberKnife was born.

[mcrue]

Dr. Chang offers free MRI reviews as well. His staff is most excellent.

[Blw]

Stanford was excellent. If you choose CK, I don't know where would be better.

[CattAN]

Stanford CyberKnife treatment is outstanding. They accept various types of insurance and have a great coordination of the treatment schedule.

[GaryWNT]

Can only echo the compliments of Dr. Chang and Stanford mentioned already. I am 2 1/2 month post CK treatment and am doing great! Although my contacts with Dr. Chang were limited, I was in the care of Dr. Hancock and felt very secure and confident in the treatment. Everyone needs to make their own choices when it comes to treatment, but I'm delighted with the choice I made.
Gary

[MG]

Can anyone tell me if there are any excellent doctors here on the east coast that compare to Dr. Chang. I live in Florida and I can't afford to fly all the way to Ca. for Cyber Knife.

Thanks,
MG

[Doc]

Can anyone tell me if there are any excellent doctors here on the east coast that compare to Dr. Chang. I live in Florida and I can't afford to fly all the way to Ca. for Cyber Knife.

Thanks,
MG

MG - I saw Dr. Mark McLaughlin at Kennestone Hospital (Wellstar) north of Atlanta for my CK treatment. Went very well...he also treated my wife when she had breast cancer.

http://www.wellstar.org/physicians/pages/physician-profile.aspx?pid=0A8CBB08-A6D2-4F7B-A345-0C7C88690600

[MG]

Thank you Doc! I will check it out. I hope you and your wife are doing well now.

Best wishes,
MG

[mcrue]

Can anyone tell me if there are any excellent doctors here on the east coast that compare to Dr. Chang. I live in Florida and I can't afford to fly all the way to Ca. for Cyber Knife.

Thanks,
MG

The closest to you regarding Gamma Knife radiation treatment would be Wake Forest Baptist with Dr. Stephen Tatter, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon, and Michael Chan, MD, radiation oncologist.

I believe Wake Forest is the 3rd largest Gamma Knife center in terms of the amount of patients treated annually.

Best wishes.

[MG]

Thank you for the information mcrue. I hope your situation works out for you. Sending prayers!

Best Wishes, MG

[tdlight]

Dr. Chang offers free MRI reviews as well. His staff is most excellent.

I called Stanford today in hopes of an MRI review and phone consultation with Dr Chang but was told none of the doctors do phone consults.  Do I just email Dr Chang directly?  I see his email address on their website but thought that seemed a little presumptuous.

[tdlight]

To answer my own question; I emailed Dr Chang yesterday attaching my MRI and hearing test and I heard back from him within a couple hours.  I was very impressed.  He gave me his opinion in a fairly lengthy email and I could tell, even through email, he was not doing a sell job.  I think most of us, myself very recently, if we have received multiple opinions have come to the conclusion that many docs out there are trying to push their own agenda or justify their shiny new machine.  I did not get that sense with Dr Chang in any way, so that was very comforting.  Coming to the realization that no one is going to make this decision for us may be the most important step in the treatment process.

That all said, I am going full steam ahead with Dr Chang as my first choice; fractionated CyberKnife. 

[GaryWNT]

I emailed Dr. Chang and asked if he would review my MRI scans. He replied very quickly with an address where I should send the MRI and wrote back to me a day after he received it. I didn't do a telephone consult with him. Good luck!
Gary