what is the role of a MO?

[MSPCF2021]

When does a MO get added to the team and who adds them (self refer, RO, other?)? Generally speaking I mean.

I’ve had RP, recurrence, ADT, salvage radiation. No one has ever referenced involvement by MO at any stage and RO seems to suggest he’ll handle it all if PSA rises. Is MO a “last ditch” team member? I know nothing about their role. Not itching to see a doc I don’t need, merely seeking info. Thanks.

[KocoPr]

You should start seeing an MO the minute you are diagnosed with cancer! Period. They will direct you to the RO if needed, and work with urologist for any procedures like RP.

[MSPCF2021 in reply to KocoPr]

in my case the uro diagnosed me and as treatment was considered she mandated that I meet with RO so I was fully informed of options. But when I asked both of them- uro and MO - if I needed MO they both said not yet.

[6357axbz]

MO is primary

[exeinoo]

The MO is mandatory. They are the coordinator. The rest of the docs are specialists.I found and hired my MO.

[Lewellen]

My MO was assigned to me immediately after my recurrence and assessment as stage 4. I had nothing to do with it! Just normal procedure with my insurance plan/ medical people.

[Brysonal]

in the UK I started with a urologist who diagnosed my PCa . I had HIFU with a urology surgeon who also did my monitoring until it failed when I was referred to an RO for scans. The RO did the PSMA PET scan that found a met on T1and third rib. She also organised ‘stampede style’ scans to confirm radiotherapy to the prostate would be in the plan.

The RO diagnosed me as ogliometastic and arranged SBRT to both mets in hope of a abscopal effect.

When this failed I was referred to an MO who dealt with the SOC systemic plan for metastic with distant mets of HT, early chemo and Apalutamide plus my blood tests and monthly consults are now with him

In the UK early Lu-177 was ‘outside their gift’ and neither RO or MO were much help as no clinical trials were up and running in time for me to participate so I travelled to see a nuclear medicine specialist who organised the early Lu—77 and put together my plan on a step by step basis including chemo after Lu-177, then Vmat x 20 plus 1 more SBRT and 2 x Brachi boost

UK ROs do not have wide experience in brachy boost technique which again is outside SOC here ( and frowned on in my circs) so again I travelled to see a Brachi boost specialist.

I could have had chemo and Vmat organised in uk. Very disjointed as chemo was MO Vmat needed an RO. In Finland where I travelled to it was all joined up,

Monthly contact is now with MO for bloods/ meds/ monitoring in UK / sending results to Finland but as I participated in a phase 1 cancer vaccine clinical trial in UK I have two trial follow ups to go as well.

[tsim]

There are no real hard and fast rules concerning this but is usually directed based on your initial diagnosis and treatment options for your diagnosis. The MOs are usually the leaders when it's clear that systemic treatments are required i.e. Chemo, Immunotherapies, etc. That is why many MOs are also hematologists since intensive knowledge of cellular functions and systemic reactions is required.

[ragnar2020]

From the for what it’s worth department of amateur PCa patient portal care, I added my Dana Farber MO because I wanted a hormone drug specialist who was young, involved in attending and speaking at all the professional conferences and seems to be current and excited about what she continues to do and keeps learned. I feel the same way about my RO at UPenn who did my proton beam SRT following BCR after my RARP. The urologist faded away because essentially, he is a surgeon and would have simply referred me onto a colleague and I would have never seen him again anyway. He cuts stuff when it needs cutting. Each of these specialties does their own thing, and I believe that we need them all. As I said, this is just my opinion, and maybe your RO can do everything and serve you well.

[j-o-h-n]

Mo?

First get Larry and Curly.......

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 02/24/2023 7:46 PM EST

[treedown]

My MO was my first Oncologist and has been my lead since the beginning. My RO passed me back after radiation was completed. I may see him again if something pops up that needs more radiation but for my MO will still be lead Dr. My path was different than yours and everything in the beginning made my quick journey from. GP to Urologist to MO to RO a no brainer. I could see where that not be the case in your situation.