CHoP versus Sloan Kettering

Hospitals / Institutions
1

Hi there! My name is Yuan and I just joined this great forum.

I came to Philadelphia in October, two weeks after my then 26-months-old daughter (Luna) was diagnosed with high risk NB in Shanghai, China. We have been in treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, just finishing 2nd cycle of chemo.

The treatment plan for us at CHoP is standard COG so very intense. We came to CHoP mostly because my husband is from Philly so we could have a “home base” here at his parents’ place. Also because we hear it’s a good hospital for neuroblastoma treatment. However, the more I read and learn about this horrendous disease and it’s treatment, the more I am drawn to MSK… Toxicity and side effects are big concerns of mine. I love how MSK doesn’t do transplants (while CHoP‘s protocol includes 2). It just seems that MSK has more stuff in their arsenal and there’s more flexibility and a higher chance for customized treatment with less toxicity. My husband, however, believes that CHoP is the best place to be and can deliver the highest survival rate which is the only thing he cares.

I plan to contact MSK soon for a better assessment of our situation. Meanwhile, I would really welcome thoughts and intel from you guys - anyone who’s had experience with either of these two hospitals, or know plenty about them.

We will have more problems to solve if we are to move to New York. Money and insurance are two big ones. But I want to at least try to get Luna in the best hands for treatment. This is the least I could do as her biggest advocate.

Thanks in advance!

2

Hello Yuan
I hope your daughter is doing well.
We are in a similar situation currently at Chop and my son is taking his fourth chemo cycle next week.
I am so torn about the high dose chemotherapy/stem cell transplant.

I wonder it you were able to make the decision.
I found this video of Dr Mora in Barcelona.

According to the numbers he present from their hospital and MSK, there was no difference between survival rates between patients who had high dose chemotherapy vs those who didn’t have high dose chemo therapy. As long as both got immunotherapy.
He also talks about the success rates of the naxitamab which got the FDA approval in Nov 2020.
Its worth watching.

3

Hi! We have not made the decision yet but we will need to make the decision pretty soon. Yes I think Sloan puts more emphasis on OS rather than EFS. SCT does improve EFS. At this point I don’t believe there’s a right or wrong choice. It’s all a gamble against fate. There’s a very good post in the NB support group on Facebook about this.

4

Hi! Are you in the Facebook NB support group? There’s more activity there than on that forum. I could send you an invitation if you are interested in joining!

5

Hello, I also come from China. Unfortunately, my daughter suffers from neuroblastoma. I hope to communicate with you