Dr. Rex Hoffman, MD

I had had one visit with Doctor Hoffman after surgery to remove an in situ growth under my tongue. Dr. Hoffman recommended radiation for seven weeks. I went to UCLA for a second opinion and learned that my condition was resolved with surgery and there was no need for further treatments, especially radiation. I recommend that all patients of Dr. Hoffman get a second opinion.

I honestly cannot say this doctor is anything but the most congenial of any doctor I have ever me. He is very easy to talk to and seemingly nice, however, kindness in place of competence is not interchangeable. That is not enough for someone delivering radiation to any part of your body...head, neck, brain, etc..This doctor had my scans for almost two weeks and did not take the time to review prior to my appointment. He advised me that he would download them 'later' and get back to me. How can a doctor have a consultation when he has no idea what your disease is (unless you tell him). He advised me that he needed to have a more recent MRI and he would order it right away...nearly ten days later, I still did not have an appointment and I had to chase the nurse. Finally, I advocated to get my own appointment via another doctor (you need referral for certain MRI's). The 'kicker' is when I finally got that assessment via phone and he asked me what I would like (like radiation is a menu… item and I am a doctor). Also, after all this questionable treatment and dynamic, I decided to look elsewhere for another opinion and I was told radiation was not something I should pursue. This surgeon (that also does radiation) said I needed to debalk the tumor or it would be a lifetime of surgeries and complications (if that is even a lifetime of more than a few years). I understand doctors opinions for treatment vary (sometimes even significantly) but even in doing my research, I read that cysts can be greatly affected by radiation and this could cause severe life threatening complications on top of the other medical issue I was having radiated. My personal advice: if you have any choice, and some decent insurance, go elsewhere