Recommendation on best Cancer centers in FL

Posted by veromdf @veromdf, 2 days ago

Dear All.
My dad an endoscopy and a mass was found in the esophagus. We are now looking for the best Cancer Centers to get care. I am feeling overwhelmed with reading about where to do as there are different options. I find hard to know what is the best option for us. As we are based in Ft Lauderdale Florida we found the Mosfitt Center (Tampa) and Sylvester Center (Miami). Supposed to have good expertise in esophageal cancer. I also read about MD Anderson and Sloan. I am very scared and very worried. We want to have the best possible care to handle this. Any recommendations?

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veromdf | @veromdf | 2 days ago

Does anyone know is the Jacksonville Care Center has as much experience as the Rochester one with esophageal cancer? Do they also have the proton beam therapy in JAX location?

v132077 | @v132077 | 2 days ago

All are good places but I would definitely consider Mayo also. I go there in AZ and love the place.

v132077 | @v132077 | 2 days ago

You can’t go wrong with Mayo.

Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | 2 days ago

In reply to @v132077 "All are good places but I would definitely consider Mayo also. I go there in AZ..." + (show)

@v132077
Hi, I go to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. It is ranked in top 10 in US and is about an hour away from home. I've been successfully treated for esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid cancer, and prostrate cancer there. I'd be happy to try and answer any questions?
Don

derekb | @derekb | 2 days ago

In reply to @veromdf "Does anyone know is the Jacksonville Care Center has as much experience as the Rochester one..." + (show)

@veromdf Here's what we were told prior to my esophagectomy in October, 2025: Mayo Rochester averages about 140 of the procedures a year. Mayo Jacksonville performs about 40, so that's almost one a week. Anything over 10 per year is considered "high volume". I can recommend Jacksonville without reservation, as I am very happy with all aspects of care. As for proton beam therapy, an article from last year implies they will begin in 2027. The article is on jaxtoday(dot)org, dated 6/11/25.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 2 days ago

In reply to @derekb "@veromdf Here's what we were told prior to my esophagectomy in October, 2025: Mayo Rochester averages..." + (show)

@veromdf, here is the article that @derekb references
- Mayo Clinic in Jax will offer groundbreaking cancer therapy https://jaxtoday.org/2025/06/11/mayo-clinic-in-jax-offers-groundbreaking-cancer-therapy/

Until the new proton beam facility is ready, Mayo Clinic patients requiring proton beam receive treatments at The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute (UFHPT) in coordinated care.

@veromdf, does your dad have a recommended treatment plan? Has proton beam been suggested?

veromdf | @veromdf | 1 day ago

In reply to @colleenyoung "@veromdf, here is the article that @derekb references - Mayo Clinic in Jax will offer groundbreaking..." + (show)

@colleenyoung

Hi Colleen. Not yet. We are on the staging phase but I am trying to document myself as much as possible. Also to help us choose where to get treated.

veromdf | @veromdf | 1 day ago

In reply to @dsh33782 "@v132077 Hi, I go to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. It is ranked in top 10..." + (show)

@dsh33782
Hi Don
I am very glad to hear about your successful treatments at Mosfitt 🙏🏼
If you don't mind me asking what stage where you at? I read about Dr Fontaine and his expertise with robotic surgery so I am understanding they are doing groundbreaking work with surgery but I want to understand if they also are as strong on the immunotherapies/radiation/etc side as with surgery.
Best
Veronica

Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | 1 day ago

In reply to @veromdf "@dsh33782 Hi Don I am very glad to hear about your successful treatments at Mosfitt 🙏🏼..." + (show)

@veromdf
Hi Veronica
I was stage 3 esophageal cancer, and they decided to not do surgery and just did chemo and radiation which worked.
Moffitt is getting new equipment now to do much more precision laser treatment of cancers.
Don

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 1 day ago

In reply to @veromdf "@colleenyoung Hi Colleen. Not yet. We are on the staging phase but I am trying to..." + (show)

@veromdf, your dad is lucky to have you navigate and research with him. As you consider the options best for your dad and family, you can talk with Mayo Clinic any time to learn more about the options. You can contact them here: https://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

You may also find this article helpful:
- Tips for seeking a second opinion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/tips-for-seeking-a-second-opinion/