Doctor Referrals?

Posted by jbuscher123 @jbuscher123, 2 days ago

Hey everyone - this is very helpful online discussion board.

My biopsy results came back in the "favorable intermediate-risk" range of 3+4 Gleason. MRI showed everything confined within the prostate but I will be doing Decipher genetic tests and a PSMA PET scan likely as next steps before determining my treatment plan. I have yet to speak directly to my doctor about all of this, but will.

I have a very good urologist at Johns Hopkins, who cleared me of bladder cancer 10 years ago. However, no matter how good, I would certainly like second opinions on treatment options going forward. She is, admittedly, a bladder cancer specialist, not necessarily prostate specialist (though has performed surgeries).

I'm not sure how to find great doctors at Mayo Clinic (or otherwise) who I can refer test results to, other than just a Google search.

If you have a doctor that you've had experience with excellent diagnosis and service, please drop me a direct message.

I'd like to have options, even if I won't likely reach out to more than 1 or 2 other specialists.

I hope that's an acceptable request on this forum.

Appreciate all of you.

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

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 2 days ago

@jbuscher123, you may appreciate the comments in these related discussions:

- Can you select your Mayo surgeon? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/picking-the-best-surgeon/
- How to select a good surgeon https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/selecting-a-good-surgeon/
- Best surgeon for prostate in Jacksonville Fl. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/best-surgeon-for-prostate-in-jacksonville-fl/
- Surgeon appointment for Robotic Prostatectomy: Questions to ask?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/surgeon-appointment-for-robotic-prostatectomy/

See more https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/prostate-cancer/

gently | @gently | 2 days ago

jbuscher123, your numbers make it look like you might be a good patient for the five treatment MRI guided radiation. Anyway you might watch https://www.youtube.com/watch Kishan is an amazing radiation oncologist at UCLA. You should speak with al least one radiation oncologist and one surgical oncologist. Best wishes.

jc76 | @jc76 | 1 day ago

@jbuscher123
I see our Director of MCC has already given you excellent information on second opinions at Mayo.

For my experience with this I had my original biopsies, bone scan, Decipher (sent away to) at Mayo Jacksonville. I then wanted a second opinion. Not that I doubted Mayo at all but just wanted to hear second opinion to help me decide. I had my medical records and PC tests sent to UFHPTI. UFHPTI handled all the paperwork for me.

I then got same diagnosis and when I met with R/O same treatment plan. Only difference was Mayo at that time could only offer photon radiation and UFHPTI had proton. I decided on proton with any chance of lowering side affects and radiation damage to not cancerous areas. Both though are excellent treatments with same success outcomes.

thmssllvn | @thmssllvn | 1 day ago

The black and white fallacy: There are only two choices. Interstitial radiotherapy ['Seeds', LD/'low dose' brachytherapy (NOT HDR)] was not mentioned. The providers don't recommend procedures they are not trained
in to a level of sufficient competence. BTW: The ProsTOX tests relate to the percentage of increased risk for delayed urinary tract symptoms (RTOG >2 [?]) from External Beam Radiation Treatments (EBRT). The delay can be months to years later. The acute symptoms are similar for the 3 types and disappear about the same time. Unless there have been new developments the ProsTOX has not related to the two types of brachytherapy the facility intensive HDR version ($$$) and the misnomer 'LD' seeds ($). Some people I have read here on the forum have opted for one of the 3 EBRT forms in spite of the higher risks. One should note that 'seeds' are placed internally at a optimal dose for radiosensitive prostate tissue and likely at least avoids the side effects associated with suboptimal external beams which must pass through healthy non prostate tissue. UCLA has an MRI guided SBRT technique. Memorial Sloan Kettering... (MSK,,.in NYC] has a CT guided Seed implant program. MD Anderson (Hosuton) has an MRI guided Seed Implant pgram

mtberger5 | @mtberger5 | 1 day ago

I highly recommend Dr. Abhinav Khanna at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He performed my RALP in March 2025. Great surgeon, great person and his care team is outstanding.