Prostate Cancer Centers of Excellence NorCal

[BullGator]

Newly diagnosed with unfavorable intermediate risk prostate cancer. I split my time between Southwest Florida and Northern California. So far, I've been working with a urologist in Fort Myers, have seen a Fort Myers radiation oncologist, and will see a robotic surgeon in Naples soon.

I'm about to the point of seeking second opinions; not due to dissatisfaction with my team so far, just looking for additional input before starting treatment. Still trying to be open to all treatment options.

I'm looking for centers of excellence in Northern California (Sacramento to Bay Area). I've read a lot of posts referencing UCSF, and I see that UC Davis is a comprehensive cancer center, but I don't know if they have a strong reputation in prostate cancer treatment. I've heard of and watched videos of Western Radiation Oncology (Dr. Steven Kurtzman and Dr. Ankit Agarwal) as LDR brachytherapy specialists.

What are the primary centers of excellence for prostate cancer treatment in Northern California? Who are the leading doctors in Northern California?

(My background: Diagnosed with prostate cancer Jan 2025. PSA 4.16. Biopsy with 13 cores shows (4) 3+3, (3) 3+4, (1) 4+3, 5 benign. Second biopsy reading in progress. MRI shows prostate 46cc with malignancy lesion in right posterolateral peripheral zone at mid gland. MRI shows cancer confined to prostate, confirmed by PSMA PET. )

[6357axbz]

Who is your urologist in Ft Myers. I started with one there who diagnosed me with a prostate biopsy. The guy was incompetent. Since then I travel to MD Anderson in Houston

[BullGator in reply to 6357axbz]

Primary urologist is Alejandro Miranda-Sousa. He referred me to Daniel Dosoretz (RO) and David Ornstein (surgeon).

[BullGator in reply to BullGator]

I should have added that I was diagnosed the month I turned 65.

[6357axbz in reply to BullGator]

Good, he’s not my bad actor. Don’t leave it in the hands of a urologist. They are not cancer specialists

[Title1guy]

I’m 3.5 weeks out from RP at UC Davis (reside in Roseville). I was impressed with the whole team at the Surgical Oncology Urology Center and my surgeon, Dr. Chandrasekar. I was diagnosed with high-risk disease; and will most likely stick with a team there if I need anything further like radiation and/or ADT. UCSF has an excellent reputation as well; but I did not want to undertake the 2 hour each way of travel; particularly if I need daily radiation therapy in the future. Good luck.

[BullGator in reply to Title1guy]

Thanks for your response. A friend of a friend is using Marc Dall'Era (urologist) at UC Davis for RALP; haven't heard if it happened or how it went. Good luck with your RP.

[Tall_Allen]

So you do not have advanced prostate cancer. You may get responses more apt for your diagnosis on the following forum:

healthunlocked.com/prostate...

It matters because the type of specialist you see is quite different.

The top specialists appropriate for you in Northern Ca are at UCSF. They include Alexander Gottschalk for SBRT and Joe Hsu for HDR Brachytherapy.

[BullGator in reply to Tall_Allen]

True, not advanced. Thanks for the redirect; every time I search a topic it seems like most responses are from this forum; I'll try the other. Thanks for your recommendations.

[Tall_Allen in reply to BullGator]

This is busier forum, but specifically for men with advanced PCa. Many were initially treated for localized PCa, but went on to salvage therapy. They see different kinds of doctors.

[Starstation]

UCSF--hands down.

[BullGator in reply to Starstation]

Were you treated at UCSF?

[JWPMP in reply to BullGator]

My husband is under care by UCSF from the beginning. He is stage IV. DX in 2020. Not eligible for surgery. Had HDR Brachytherapy 2021. Has been on ADT and HT, starting his fifth year now. He's been undetectable since 2021. We had to make many trips to UCSF first year and a half. Since then, its all zoom and messaging. Two hour drive each way for us also, but I don't believe my husband would still be here otherwise.

FWIW

[NecessarilySo]

I used Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Herrick Campus,2001 Dwight Way,Berkeley, CA 94704. They have a radiation therapy center there. I don't know how they stack up or rank but I consider them excellent. I had rad therapy under Sravana Chennupati, RO in 2008. He's Stanford educated and still there today. Patrick Swift RO did my radiation therapy but Chennupati replaced him soon after he moved back to Stanford Health Care.

[BullGator in reply to NecessarilySo]

Thanks for sharing your experience and your recommendations.

[Conlig1940]

BullGator. I agree with Tall_Allen -- You do not have advanced PC . I would suggest you investigate SBRT . Plus. Have you investigated any of the Focal Therapies ?

[BullGator in reply to Conlig1940]

I've only scratched the surface of focal therapies. With positive cores on both sides of my prostate, I'm not sure I'd be a good candidate.

[Conlig1940 in reply to BullGator]

BullGator " You refer to a " Second Biopsy Reading in Progress " -- Is this a 2nd opinion of your Biopsy Gleason Scores ( Pathology results ) ? Have you purchased and studied the often referenced book on this site by Dr. Patrick Walsh " Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer " . A must buy . Also follow Dr. Mark Scholz on his UTUBE Series .

RULE # 1 : Do not panic , you are not going to die tomorrow . You probably had this cancer for 10 years or more . You have time to study this disease and become your own best health advocate . Get to know ALL your options , Surgery - Radiation and Focal Therapies . Their pros and cons . Short and Long Term side effects .

ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE and it's increasing role for Low and Intermediate grade PC .

Seek 2nd or 3rd opinions . On your Biopsy results and MRI results etc . This includes Urologists and Oncologists .

Remember, Urologists want to perform surgery - It's in their D & A , Their job description ,they are surgeons . Same with Radiation Oncologists -- They will recommend radiation .

Rule # 2 ( or # 1 ) DO NOT RUSH INTO AN UNINFORMED TREATMENT DECISION YOU MAY REGRET THE REST OF YOUR LIFE . And make sure any treatment has a fall back RECURRANCE treatment . As certain treatments exclude , or limit your fall back options .

Finally . What was your MRI PI-RADS Score ?

Good luck .