Advice on pursuing second opinion/treatment at UCSF.

Posted by greg52 @greg52, May 14 4:35pm

Hello all.
I have a few threads started since being diagnosed a few months ago (PSA 9, Gleason 7, Stage 2, no signs of spread outside of prostate).
Many have already weighed in with their input/advice.

At this point, I am in the process of making a decision on treatment. I have met with my "in-network" radiology oncologist (EBRT specialty) and Urology surgeon that would be performing the RARP has done just over 150 surgeries (Davinci Robot assisted). But based on my research, I should be pursuing treatment at a "Center for Excellence" because, having performed thousands of these procedures, their expertise, experience, and techniques can/will more effectively minimize/eliminate the chances of long term side effects/complications (incontinence, impotence, ED).

And even though my in-network radiology oncologist dismisses the importance of being treated at a center of excellence when factoring in the additional costs, travel, and inconvenience, I still feel compelled to pursue it based on the input I've received from this community.
So I have requested a referral from my doc to UCSF which is just a couple hours north of home.
If anyone can advise on next steps, provide key contacts at USCF, or just general guidance and input based on your own expertise/experience/treatment, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again to all.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

jsh327 | @jsh327 | May 16 8:37am

I wasn't treated at UCSF or in California, but looked at their website and noted that one doctor appeared to be the surgery specialist, Dr. Peter Carroll, and one appeared to be the RO, Dr. Felix Feng. Many others on the staff. Hopefully someone that was treated at UCSF will see your post and respond, because I have previously seen posts from UCSF patients.

brownsf | @brownsf | May 17 9:49am

I was treated by both
Dr. Carroll and Dr. Feng. They are both very popular and busy but you won’t find greater experts. There are several other great doctors at ucsf. I highly recommend it.

brownsf | @brownsf | May 18 8:03am

Just to add...150 robotic surgeries is not that many. Studies have shown that the number of surgeries a surgeon has performed is directly related to the outcome and there are surgeons who have performed over 1000. Dr. Carroll at UCSF may be in that range. As far as distance/inconvenience, you obviously would travel to UCSF the day of the surgery, probably stay one night, and go home the next day. You would have to get the catheter removed a week or two later, but possibly could do that locally. After that, barring any complications, you might be able have periodic virtual appointments, which are often done at UCSF .

pauljay | @pauljay | May 19 10:42am

I live two and a half hours north of SF and I drive there for my in person treatment. I think they are very good. I also have zoom meetings with them. My cancer is too advanced for surgery or radiation, but my friend had surgery with Dr. Carol and radiation with Dr. Feng. The surgery went well, but the radiation had side effects. I would recommend UCSF