Any recommendations for Prostate Cancer Specialist in CT?

[Sunlight12]

Hi Everyone,

I'm Sunlight. My Dad was just diagnosed (Mar 2019) with Stage IV prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. I'm helping him and my Mom deal with this totally unexpected life change. First, I just wanted to say how glad I am to have found this forum. I've read several posts and shared them with my parents and your stories and words have been so supportive and encouraging. What you do here is such important work, so THANK YOU ALL!! Second, my parents aren't happy with the initial doctor Dad was sent to (among other things, he told Dad there were no FDA-approved immunotherapy treatments, which looks very incorrect, according to my research (research is my thing :)). We would like to find someone else to work with who is a specialist in advanced prostate cancer. Does anyone have any recommendations for the CT area? We are in about the center of the state which means that certain areas of MA and even NY would be possible to get to fairly easily, if needed. Thank you in advance for any thoughts you can offer!

Best wishes,

Sunlight

[Tall_Allen]

Dan Petrylak at Yale - he is working on lots of clinical trials. Provenge, the only approved immunotherapy for PC, is only approved for men who are both metastatic and castration resistant (rising PSA while on Lupron or similar). I don't know if your father qualifies.

[Sunlight12 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks so much, Tall Allen! We don't quite know yet if he would qualify - he just started Lupron last week.

Best wishes,

Sunlight

[Tall_Allen in reply to Sunlight12]

In that case, your oncologist was correct.

[Sunlight12 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Would it be your assessment, based on that, that this hematologist/oncologist, who my Dad was passed on to by his PC, would be completely appropriate *knowledge-wise*? (I realize there are other factors for my Dad to consider). I ask because I noticed that many member of this forum advocated finding someone who specializes in PCa (I'm hoping that's the correct abbreviation..I saw that there is a post the details them, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. I will though!)

[Tall_Allen in reply to Sunlight12]

I have no idea what his qualifications are - I don't even know who he is. I'm just saying he did not misinform you about immunotherapy. I'm very impressed with Dan Petrylak.

[tom67inMA in reply to Sunlight12]

Welcome to the forum. My oncologist doesn't think highly of Provenge, and he does seem to be fairly up to date with the latest studies. I like him. He's in Natick MA, no need to travel into a big city which would add a lot of hassle. I can send you his info if you're interested.

Getting on the lupron is an important first step. I had an excellent response and hopefully your dad will too.

[Sunlight12 in reply to tom67inMA]

Thank you so much for the feedback, Tom! Natick is about 2 hours from us, which would be possible, though a little challenging. If we're not finding what we need closer, I will check back with you for the contact info. I'm so glad to hear the lupron has helped you! The positivity is a big help; I will let my Dad know too!

[mangeycritter]

I would go immediately to the Sidney Kimmel Institute at Sloan Kettering. Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg is chief there, and treating my wife for meta bladder cancer. He does not see prostate patients, but is an exemplary physician and person. I am being followed for PCA by Dr. Samuel Denmeade at the Kimmel at Johns Hopkins. His title: Professor of Oncology, Urology, Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences. Co-Director Prostate Cancer Program.

[Sunlight12]

Thank you so much for the recommendations, Nalakrats and Adeluca! I have heard excellent things about Memorial Sloan-Kettering. I will pass the info on to my Dad.

[jdm3]

Nothing like being treated close to home if you can find a good local doc, but in addition to NYC, you also have some good options in the other direction at the Dana Farber Cancer Center in Boston. Dr. Mark Pomerantz seems highly regarded as is Dr. Chris Sweeney who I see. Unfortunately, Dr. Sweeney only sees patients on Tuesdays now and I don't know if he is taking new patients.

[j-o-h-n]

Greeting Sunlight12....I'm a patient at Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer center in New York City (68th street near First Avenue) Kimmel Center. I meet many patients from all over the world there and definitely from the tri-state area. If you can try to see Doctor Michael Morris, for a top notch Oncologist. Here is a DATED video from MSK of the doctor. NYC is worth the trip (there is available discounted -maybe free? parking available with shuttle buses to their facilities). BTW since research is your thing would you please let us know your Dad's age. Voluntary, If you respond please do so in a future post (not today) and NOT to me. Thank you. (I am not the Doctor's agent or relative).

mskcc.org/videos/prostate-s...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 04/02/2019 6:52 PM DST

[Sunlight12 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Hi John, I added my father's age to my bio. I hope that essentially meets your instructions? Thank you for the recomendation and for all your jokes and witticisms - they make me smile! - Sunlight

[j-o-h-n in reply to Sunlight12]

Hello Sunlight... 72? He's just a kid. Thank you .. I know you're taking good care of your Dad, lucky man..... Make him laugh....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/06/2019 12:34 PM DST

[Sunlight12 in reply to j-o-h-n]

I've been trying - I got him the Ultimate Collection of the Three Stooges for starters and he's been running around saying "Hey Mo!..." ever since I'm leaning toward Laurel & Hardy next!

-Sunlight

[j-o-h-n in reply to Sunlight12]

Now that was a 10.0 on my giggle meter...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/06/2019 12:43 PM DST

[monte1111]

And I complain about the Kaiser parking. Certain days, certain times I need to go to aisle G. Not sure how many other parking lots are there. Never counted. And they just built another one. Probably because I complained. This is all free parking. They got a little golf cart thing that will pick you up. Good luck. Did it once just to talk to the driver on a boring day. I do not ride buses. Just me, and I've got two cars. Just in case one breaks. New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco. Nice places that would kill me faster than the pca. What a person is used to is what a person is used to. Would much rather be Lulu's neighbor.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

'Would much rather be Lulu's neighbor'. Better him than me, thank God....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/06/2019 12:29 PM DST

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

"Did it once just to talk to the driver on a boring day."

See now, that's the definition of funny... keep em coming....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/06/2019 12:48 PM DST

[monte1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Now the time I really did want to ride that well canopied golf cart trolley was the day it was raining like hell. I was in a back brace and could barely walk. People on crutches were passing me. And sure enough, there he was, parked at the curb, feet kicked up on the dashboard, reading a paperback. Nothing funnier than seeing crutch races.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

Nothing funnier than seeing crutch races. <==== Funnier than funny. Thanks I needed to piss anyway (but not in my pants)....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/06/2019 1:17 PM DST

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

I'm still laughing....

That scene should be in a "Monty" Python movie.... Hey I finally got the connection..... I'm soooo slow.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/06/2019 1:34 PM DST

[monte1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

I am getting ready for a 15 years olds birthday party. I have had to erase several replies that I found hilarious and then realized someone might find them offensive. One of them even offended me. I must get my crutches and balloons and go. My audience awaits.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

Enjoy....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 04/06/2019 8:35 PM DST