How to find a MO Specializing in PCa

[NJWarrior]

I just completed a clinical trial lasting two years. My PSA has slowly risen from 0.06 to 0.12 over the last 15 months or so. My medical team was surgical and now I'd like to move to monitoring with a qualified MO as my PSA moves upward. Where does one start to find an MO who's focused on PCa? The CT team is 1.5 hours from home and I'd prefer a team closer in case salvage radiation is in my future. Google is nothing but ads, at least as I see it. Is there a resource available for comparing doctors? Am I overthinking this situation?

[KocoPr]

All you have to do is ask this group what are some good Oncologist in your area.

[NJWarrior in reply to KocoPr]

Morris County NJ.

[Tall_Allen]

You should be talking to a radiation oncologist about salvage radiation, not an MO. If MSK is closeby, I recommend Sean McBride there.

[NJWarrior in reply to Tall_Allen]

My mindset is until I'm PSMA avid I prefer to continue monitoring, which I may or may not be correct thinking, an MO won't guide me to the wrong treatment decision. Maybe I'm just being foolish hoping to avoid radiotherapy.

I'm not far from NYC, about an hour, but have been reluctant to schedule something at MSK.

Thanks for your help.

[Tall_Allen in reply to NJWarrior]

MOs don't monitor PCa. They treat advanced PCa with drugs like Lupron, abiraterone, docetaxel, etc. MOs doesn't do what you imagine they do. It's like going to an electrician for a plumbing issue.

If you want a professional opinion on whether or not you need radiation, you have to go to a doctor who has experience in it.

[NJWarrior in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks

[reichel]

I am sure that Hackensack has excellent ROs and MOs. It is a huge place and closer than MSK

[SteveTheJ]

Your user name indicates you're in New Jersey but I can tell you I've been very impressed with Dr. Paul Corn at MD Anderson in Houston. Write back if you want more info.

[JDN0415]

Hackensack is solid or consult Dana Rathkopf MSK, or John Liaw Mt Sinai. Both are very good

[j-o-h-n]

You're only an hour away from New York City......Man, what are you waiting for? MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER... need I say more.........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 09/29/2023 6:11 PM DST

[103532]

Hello NJ Warrior,

From our previous convo, you and my husband may share the same CT care team. At our 9/23 one year post RP (surgical path 3B), my husband’s psa rose to 0.06. We repeated the test a week later and were shocked to see it almost doubled to 0.10. We had a panicked consult with our surgical oncologist who was very reassuring that these numbers can rise and fall between 015 and down to undetectable again for many years which can be caused by benign factors. We repeated the psa test weekly for the last 14 days, and it dropped back down to undetectable both times consecutively. My husband has had some whole body inflammation issues and interestingly, the tests that showed the rise were taken from the same lab but a different time of day (morning to afternoon).

We did reach out to MSK (phone consult) for a second opinion for salvage radiation as well as Hartford Hospital. Cancer Center.( in person). Both assured us they would act swiftly and coordinate with our existing care team if he requires salvage radiation. All agree with our care team at Yale. They both accessed my husband’s records expediently. We feel reassured we have a local RO established if/when it is time for the salvage IMRT, and plan to take swift action once it exceeds 0.15. We were recommended congruent and post ADT combined with IMRT for the best chance for a cure/long control, and also reassured that we may have years before this becomes an issue and some never do. Hope this helps!

Stephanie

[103532]

oops …up and down from 0.15 to <0.04