Dr Mark Scholz/PCRI

I know a number of people in online prostate cancer meetings I go to that have used Mark Scholz for a second opinion. They all been quite satisfied with his medical opinions, and some of them have told their doctors they want to change their treatment based on what he has said.

A lot of what he will recommend is based on your Gleason score. NCCN, which sets the standards for treatment, recommend you be on at least 18 months if a Gleason eight or 24 months if higher. if you have a decipher score it can weigh on that decision as well.

He may look at your records and change that recommendation, everyone is different.

I just saw him. I am Gleason 9(4+5) and Decipher score is 0.8 and Pet scan show no metastases. After SBRT at UCLA, I finished 8 months of ORGOVYX. My PSA about 6 weeks ag was 0.06.
He recommended I should stop taking Orgovyx now or after may be one more month. Taking longer than that, I get very little benefit. I am tolerating ORGOVYX well. But my biomarkers are changing somewhat. No muscle loss or increased fat mass. I work out 6 days a week with 3 days in GYM.
I will go along with his recommendation and stop ORGOVYX after December 31st. Of course, I will consult with my oncologist at UCI. My Radiation Oncologist Dr Kishan already told me I can stop Orgovyx after 6 months and monitor PSA.

@ava11, I'm happy for this update on your successful treatment. Dr. Kishan's opinion would have completely satisfied me. You have been so thorough.
How often does Kishan have you repeating labs for PSA and Testosterone.

Kishan just casually said I could stop after 6 months! Dr Scholz said every 3 months. Kishan got promoted to Vice chair of Radiation oncology.

Two more weeks before I see my medical oncologist. This is a major meeting as we have not yet decided on how long I will be on Orgovyx, Zytiga and prednisone. I had IMRT with 86 grays.

I had 3 different pathology results. Two were gl 7 and one was gl 9 which is the main reason why the decision on length of time on the ADT has been deferred. @ava11 ’s comment has me more hopeful that the right answer will be to bring the ADT to a conclusion in the near term. I’ve been concerned that I that I will be on it for 18-24 months.

Dr Mark Scholz Interviews are posted on YouTube. You may find additional information there. Good luck.

larryf954,
Please let us know the outcome of your meeting with your oncologist. How long you had been already on Hormone therapy?
wish you the best!

Should I have a separate oncologist besides a radiation oncologist? I am also seeing Dr. Kishan. I am also a Gleeson nine with rapidly increasing PSA (doubling every 2 to 3 months) but still low. The PSA pet scan showed nothing and I am being told to wait another three months for another PSMA. Who should I be seeing for a confirming opinion?

@ava11 thank you

I’ve will be on the ADT for 6 months, when I next meet the oncologist (@UM Sylvester). I’ve been told by him that the next interval protocol is for 18 months. However, I’ve heard that others have taken it for time intervals between 6 and 18 months.
We’ll see next week 🙏🏼

Yes, It is a good idea to have a Medical Oncologist on your care team.
My oncologist at UCI is Dr. Arash Rezazddeh Kalebasty MD. He is a general oncologist that treats prostate and other cancers. Dr. Mark Scholz of PCRI specializes Prostate Cancer only.
If you prefer UCLA, ask Dr Kishan for a referral to an Oncologist.
When did you finish Radiation and how long you have been on ADT(Orgovyx or Lupron)?