Looking for info on urologists at Mayo in Jacksonville FL.

[GeoffNoLongerAS]

I have been on active surveillance for the last 10 years and have been an active participant in a study in the Chicago area. I have moved to FL and am looking for a new urologist. I am wondering if anyone has any experience or information on the Mayo doctors in Jacksonville, FL. Thanks for any feedback.

[DFL208]

I was operated on by Dr. Pak, who was excellent. I was not a Mayo patient prior to surgery.

[GeoffNoLongerAS in reply to DFL208]

Thanks for the info. A quick question if possible. Why did you switch docs and go t Mayo for treatment? Was there a prior uro? Was the treatment decision made at Mayo? I guess that is a couple of questions.

[DFL208 in reply to GeoffNoLongerAS]

I had been on active surveillance for 5 years under a urologist in another town. After several years with no biopsy, I insisted on a biopsy despite reassurance things were going very well. The urologist dropped the bombshell I had Gleason 9 cancer in multiple cores of the biopsy. I previously had an Executive Physical at Mayo , so I contacted the doctor who had done the physical and explained my situation. He immediately ordered a bone scan and MRI at Mayo, which both came back clear. An appointment with Dr. Pak was made as soon as the test results were in. He was extremely professional and explained my situation very well. That was a Thursday. I had a robotic prostatectomy the following Monday. Unfortunately I had seminal vesicle invasion and three positive lymph nodes. As a testament to Dr. Pak, even with this I had clear surgical margins. I went on to also have radiation at Mayo from May-July. The entire experience at Mayo has been incredible. Certainly one of the best facilities in the nation, if not the world.

[GeoffNoLongerAS in reply to DFL208]

Thanks for the reply. That helps. Your experience is exactly why I am being careful about choosing another doctor. I have had good experiences with the current treatment center I am at. I have been there on AS for over ten years.

They understand what AS and the AS protocol is. Because early on I had an issue with a biopsy, a blood infection, I have been loath to have another. They have pushed me to have them. Protocol is a biopsy at least every 2 years.

The problem is that since I have moved to the panhandle of Florida and it is about 17 hours to get back, Jacksonville is about 5 hours. I don't want to end with a doctor that does not understand AS and does not know the protocol. My original docs approach was "yes we can watch and and when you are ready we will operate". Not the right answer.

So it is not an easy decision to move to another practice.

Sorry to hear about your situation. Glad the surgery worked well and you are in good hands. Hope all continues positive in the future for you and you get past this bump in the road.

[tayninhtom in reply to GeoffNoLongerAS]

if you are anywhere near Tallahassee, let’s talk. I’ve been working the prostate cancer specialists from Gainesville to Jacksonville for 15 years also the best ones at Moffett in Tampa. Feel free to contact me directly through this portal.

[GeoffNoLongerAS in reply to tayninhtom]

Thanks for the reply. I have however since moved out of FL and have found a good Dr. in St. Louis.

[JimVanHorn]

I live in Orlando and eleven years ago I started Radiation and Lupron therapy at Florida Hospital in Orlando. My Doctor is William Grow at the cancer clinic. He is a wonderful doctor and I no longer have cancer. He called me last Christmas Eve and told me the tests came back and show no more cancer! I go back every 6 months for check ups. I also see my Urologist every 3 months.