Best treatment Location

[Davidl3940]

Where is best place to be treated for PSA rise after surgery? MD Anderson or Mayo Rochester?

Thanks

David

[Tall_Allen]

If what you mean by "treated" is salvage radiation, the best place to go is a place near where you live. You will have to go for 35-40 treatments, and because of fatigue and urinary irritation, you will want a place nearby. A few places (e.g., UWisconsin or UCLA) have begun using a hypofractionated protocol, but even that is 25 treatments. There are lots of places that have excellent equipment and excellent ROs that can do a good job for you - there's no need to travel for it. Where do you live?

[JamesAtlanta]

I cannot speak to Mayo other than my cousin’s husband went there for his prostatectomy. He was very pleased with their care.

I go to MD Anderson and they provide excellent care. I suspect that many large center of excellence hospitals would be great for you including the 2 you asked about, Sloan Kettering, Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, etc.

I’m interested in the additional responses you will surely receive soon.

Best of luck with your next phase of treatment. We are all pulling for you!

James

[bitittle]

I had prostatectomy at MD Anderson and 2.5 yrs later had SRT at UCSF...can’t say enough good about UCSF!

[Caring7]

There are lots of options -- depending on where you live. I think the most important thing is a doctor you can trust and one who really listens to you.

You can also get a consult at one of the big research places, and have that person work with your more local/closer place -- two heads better than one! We've done this since the start and there is zero resentment of the "home" oncologists. They are happy for the specialized advice.

[tango65]

I had great treatment at UCSF with Dr. Roach.

[Don1157]

I agree with Tall_Allen and Caring 7. As close to your home as possible; fatigue can be a factor and the closer the better for naps. I have found that my local oncologist, RO, and Urologist to be the best. Medicine does not depend on a name to be good; it is the Dr. and their staff that carries through with the treatment. I am very sure there are very good Dr.’s near your home, unless you want a vacation. Just because it is a big name center does not guarantee the Dr. who is the best for you!

[Litlerny]

Hi, David,

It all depends on your own individual situation and needs. If you pick a far away cancer center you will have to be willing and able (both physically and financially) to either make repeated trips there or stay there for extended periods of time.

We live in central Florida, northwest of Orlando. My wife, was diagnosed with tongue cancer within a year after I got my Stage 4 PCa Dx. We were not happy with local treatment providers options. We checked into continuing our treatment and care with MD Anderson in Houston, the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, and The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. The MD Anderson was way too far away to be a viable option. Although the Moffitt is 50 miles closer to us than the Mayo, we got a better “vibe” from our initial contacts with Mayo than we did from Moffitt. We don’t regret the decision. The Mayo has given us both wonderful care and treatment. From 12/2016-2/2017 we spent 2 1/2 months in Jacksonville while my wife underwent surgery, chemo, and radiation. We were able to stay at a great place called Gabriel House on the Mayo Campus, a major blessing to us since back and forth travel during that period was not an option. We also made 20 trips back and forth for both of us in the space of a year. It all adds up in terms of cost and minimizing the stress of travel.

If our situation (physical or financial) changes in the future we will revisit the availability of quality medical care closer to home.

Best wishes to you!

[UpstateNY]

For what it’s worth, I’m going to Memorial Sloan Kettering because I’m impressed with the RO and believe the technicians to be well trained.

[Emak1]

I am going to Sloan Kettering, but for me it is local in NJ, about a 25 min drive. Starting March 19 and it is 40 treatments

The big thing is to be confident in the doctor and the techs, they are doing the aiming and shooting

Good luck

[j-o-h-n]

Like the expression "six of one or half a dozen of the other"....

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n 03/12/2018 2:53 PM EDT