Treated at MGH in Boston.

[Dracus]

Anyone else being treated there? What is your opinion of MGH Boston cancer center? How was your experience there?

[Dracus]

Sorry i didn't state that i'm being treated for aggressive local prostate cancer.

I'm brand new to this forum.

[SPEEDYX]

Hi Dracus....you will find a great deal of Info here...iam sure a few will answer your question ....we are all here to help in anyway we can and some humor to balance out the seriousness of our disease!!!

[Dracus in reply to SPEEDYX]

Thanks. I think it will be nice to have others in my situation to talk to about my concerns.

Feeling unsure and isolated right about now.

[SPEEDYX in reply to Dracus]

That is normal we all felt that at some point...feel free to post any questions we have many experiences in dealing with PC..there are many here who have been battling for up to 30 years at an advance stage so take some solace time will ease your mind and we are all here every step of the way!!!

[Tall_Allen]

Who is your medical oncologist there? It's the doctor, more than the institution.

[Dracus]

Dr Mathew Smith.. I think the capabilities of the institution can greatly affect the treatment.

[j-o-h-n]

Greeting Dracus, We all have been where you are now.... So be assured you will be with us for many many years..... So pull up a chair and relax.....

Please tell us your bio. Age? Location? Treatment(s)? Treatment center(s)? Scores Psa/Gleason? Medications? Doctor's name(s)? Thank You!!!

All info is voluntary, but it helps us help you and helps us too. If you do respond copy and paste it in your home page for your use and for other members’ reference.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 11/16/2020 8:00 PM EST

[scpu]

My husband has been a patient at MGH of Dr Rick Lee for almost four years. We have total confidence in him and the hospital. Been through cycles of chemo, Zytiga/Xtandi, and recently immunotherapy. No hiccups or concerns along the way.

[rm9x]

Dr Smith is excellent.

[Dracus in reply to rm9x]

Thanks . How did you come to this conclusion? Do you have any personal experience

with Dr Mathew Smith?

[rm9x in reply to Dracus]

Yes. I sent you a chat with more info.

[ragnar2020]

Hi Dracus,

I began my PCa treatment at MGH in August of 2019 with Dr. Douglas Dahl for a fusion biopsy and then a RARP on 9 24/19. Dr. Dahl did an excellent job with the robotic surgery, and I walked out of the hospital the next day using only extra strength Tylenol for pain. I regained control of my plumbing within a few months.

If you decide to have a prostatectomy, I would recommend Dahl. I have a close friend who uses Smith as his MO, and my friend is satisfied with him. I’m told that Smith is extremely knowledgeable and also very busy. I was assigned another MO, but I have not pursued any MO treatments at MGH, and I’m not sure that I will be seeking ADT through MGH if I make that decision.

If you decide to use radiation as your primary treatment, at MGH, you will not hear anything about using proton beam therapy (PBT) for radiation treatments at MGH. I believe that MGH’s muteness about PBT is a business decision of the facility. For PBT you would need to investigate PBT elsewhere if that treatment option interests you. There are thirty-nine PBT centers in the US’ and although MGH is listed as a PBT center, they do not offer PBT to prostate patients as primary treatment option.

You will get some informative opinions about PCa treatment on this forum, so use it as a starting point to research the various treatment option going forward.

Remember, PCa grows slowly. In all likelihood you have had PCa for a long time, so you can take your time making decisions. If anyone tries to rush you, step back and reconsider using that person for your care.

Best regards, and you’ll do fine with the more knowledge you acquire.

Jeff

[Dracus in reply to ragnar2020]

Thanks for the info. I’m using radiation now as my primary treatment and it seems to be working fine. Glad to hear the comments about Dr. Smith.