City of Hope

[middlejoel]

Thinking of changing oncologist anyone familiar with the City of Hope in Duarte, Los Angeles?

[patandemma]

see my previous post on Tanya Dorff,MD.

in a nutshell,principal interest and active research is prostate cancer

invited speaker at national conferences on prostate cancer

[Reptale]

No, but in LA I can't recommend highly enough Prostate Oncology Specialists in Marina Del Rey. I know it is a hike for you, but they really are remarkable.

[PaulC2]

I received primary treatment (surgery, followed by ADT and radiation) for my Gleason 9=5+4 at City of Hope in 2007-2008 and was unfavorably impressed. At the time, I had the impression they were a world-class facility. I think they're quite good, but nowhere near as good as their reputation or advertising.

OTOH, that was ten years ago. My surgeon (who was my biggest disappointment) moved on to another facility less than a year later. And if they have lured Dr. Dorff away from USC, they're doing something right. When I visited her (I think it was 2009-2010) she was great -- cutting-edge knowledge, compassion, wit, steady realism, and an idiosyncratic fun sense of fashion.

Having interviewed half a dozen excellent oncologists in the Southern California area, including UCLA and Cedars-Sinai, both of them top-class, I settled upon Prostate Oncology Specialists in Marina de Rey, which is world-class.

[middlejoel]

Funny, mentioned herein are Tanya Dorff of USC and Prostate Oncologists Specialists in Marina Del Rey. So happens that for the past 6-7 years, I have been regularly consulting with both of them. Dr. Dorff has just transferred to City of Hope and I recently had an appointment with her replacement doctor at USC and that is the reason why I am considering following her to the City of Hope. I agree with everything said herein about Dr. Dorff and about Dr. Scholz in Marina Del Rey. Another issue is that I am about to have an Axumin scan and I am not too happy with the radiology department at USC. I live very close to City of Hope and, yes, the drive to the beach has been getting ridiculous.

[Daddysdaughter in reply to middlejoel]

I agree about the drive but Dr. Dorff is by far the best for us since she has been caring for my father from the beginning. I was worried about being a part of another large hospital and falling into standard protocols of treatment BUT since we have been seeing Dr. Dorff at COH she said that she would make changes as needed.

She does specialize in prostate cancer and is in ongoing research. I trust her plan and management with my father.

While my father was still at USC i did take the time to look into other MO’s Dr. Scholz, Dr. Bob (i forgot last name Something begins with L) and unfortunately they don’t accept my fathers insurance coverage.

Also Dr. Przemyslaw Twardowski, MD. He came very highly recommended. At the time he was at COH and in the process of leaving after working 10+ years. Actually, His position was taken by Dr. Dorff and i believe he has his own private practice in Santa Monica.

So we started with Dr. Dorff and for some reason it always works out that my father gets her care! The bond is meant to be! LOL.

We also did get a total of 3 C-11 PET scans at Mayo with Dr. Kwon as well and Dr. Dorff agreed with his recommendations. Good luck with everything, we are here with you!

[Wings-of-Eagles]

Middflejoel.

If my circumstances change or I reach the point of Medicare, I will start going there, it is close to my home and I have heard great things about their status.

[Daddysdaughter]

My father is at COH with Dr.Dorff. he was under her care at USC from 2014. She has been great. Our experience at COH has been great so far, very organized. No complaints as of yet.

[middlejoel]

OK, thank you all for your helpful response. I also had heard over the years some negativity over the quality of care at COH but not lately, as Paul said that was over 10 years ago. I have scheduled an appointment with Dr. Dorff for next week as well as one with Dr. Turner at Prostate Oncology Specialists.

[hysir]

I have been going to Prostate Oncology Specialists for over 7 years. I started out with an urologist and got an infection from biopsy. Moved over to UCI Cancer Center in Orange. I saw 3 doctors and they all recommended prostatectomy. I didn't agree and moved on to Prostate Oncology Specialists. Very satisfied with the care and level of service in the treatment of cancer.