Dr. Cajipe in Phoenix

You want the best Mayo has to offer see Elisabeth I. Heath, M.D. at Mayo Rochester MN.

She’s really a superb GU Oncologist Who gives speeches at many different Conferences.

I don't know anything about Dr. Cajipe at Mayo Phoenix so I can't directly answer your question. However, I thought I'd share of bit of my experience last year. I live in another state and first made an appointment at Mayo Phoenix in early 2024. At that appointment I met with a staff urologist (Dr. Frendl) who reviewed my lab results and MRI image and report. He then had a Mayo radiologist independently review the MRI. That second report on my MRI pretty much matched the first and indicated PIRADS-4, so then Dr. Frendl performed a fusion biopsy. All this occurred over several weeks. The results found multiple samples of 3+4=7, so I next met with a FNP to go over the results and schedule consults with both a surgeon and radiologist to discuss primary treatment options. I ended up choosing surgery by Dr. Paul Andrews, who was the surgeon with whom I had my consult after the biopsy. I traveled to Mayo Phoenix twice, once for the first visit with Dr. Frendl, and again for the preop exam (the day before) and the fusion biopsy the next day. All other consults to discuss treatment options were tele-visits. The reason I shared my story is that if this is your first visit to Mayo Phoenix, then depending on where you are in the process and what primary treatment you choose Dr. Cajipe might very well not end up being the principal provider of your treatment. But I thought I'd share this info with you in case this is your first visit to Mayo Phoenix so if you'd have some idea what to expect. Of course, maybe your experience will be different from mine. I have no idea how typical my experience was compared to other patients. I'm not a medical professional nor an expert in prostate cancer care, but I personally believe the care I received at Mayo Phoenix was outstanding and exceeded my expectations. Best wishes.

I forgot to mention that the doctor you will see can depend on your case’s severity. If you Have a low Gleason score and have not had spread outside the prostate then you probably cannot speak to a top GU oncologist, You will more likely be speaking to a urologist and a radiation oncologist as @retiredguy discussed.

Not familiar with the Doctor you are seeing. I had to fly to Phoenix/Mayo also. I suspect they assign you a doctor based on your needs and the scheduling wait time, which can be significant with some of the docs. I did not request a specific doctor, but was assigned Dr. Humphreys because I was interested in getting a HoLEP and he was the Urologist that did that procedure. I got my initial appointment fairly quickly because I was willing to come in Thanksgiving week. I didn't do the HoLEP procedure, but he has continued to be my treating Urologist. He ultimately did a RALP which I have been very satisfied with.
I have had to travel to Phoenix 4 times which is a bit of a hassle, once for my initial appointment, a 2nd time for all the testing, a third time for the follow-up with the doctor after the testing, and a 4th time for the surgery. The rest of the appointments have all been video/phone follow-ups. Mayo is very good about scheduling all testing/appointments on the same day whenever possible to make it easier on travelers. Regular followup things such as PSA blood tests have been done locally and the hospital just sends Mayo the results electronically. Best of luck to you.

Thanks all for the thoughts. TBH since he’s only been with Mayo for a year, has very negative reviews online, and I can drive to UCSF or UCD I’ll pass on Mayo unless I get a lousy biopsy result then I’ll reassess. Best wishes.

@vincenzo66
UCSF is a much better choice than UCD.