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UCLA Health, Burbank, CA, Prostate Cancer Care
I am setting up an urology/oncology consult with UCLA Health likely at the Burbank location. I know there are many here in the UCLA system for prostate cancer care. Does anyone have any experience with care there? Any doctor recommendations? I posted previously about my post-prostatectomy PSA rise, which is why I am pursuing second opinions. I live in Phoenix, but Mayo does not take my insurance.
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A good UCLA oncologist is
Dr. Matthew Rettig GU Oncologist
Not sure if he’s located where you want to go.
Thank you, Jeff. He is not on staff there, but at the Westwood location. I have an option to go there as well, just a slightly longer drive. Incidentally, it looks as if he works with closely with the local Los Angeles area VA, where I may also have an opportunity for care. I am still navigating possible treatment avenues. As I have seen here on the forum, working through post-initial treatment options (whether RARP or other) can be a bit of a frustrating experience, sometimes second guessing one’s choices when time is of the essence.
To get more information, you should sign up with Ancan.org and attend their advanced prostate cancer weekly meetings. They have weekly two hour online meetings. The people there have 15 years experience handling prostate cancer treatment. There’s always at least three doctors at the meetings. You need some expert advice and they can give that to you. They also may know more doctors at UCLA.
Because you would be new, they would talk to you first and give you advice. You can always ask for different treatment. The next meeting is Monday August 17 at 8 PM Eastern time, It lasts two hours. You need to download GoTo meeting to attend the meeting, but it’s free on any device. To join the meeting you put in answercancer for the meeting name. You should get there 10 minutes early so that you are the first person that is new and will be the first they talk to.
You can watch one of the previous meetings, At the website they have links, and you will learn quite a lot just watching what’s going on. They also have a meeting for veterans led by Captain Jim. He is familiar with VA treatment all over the country. He can help you get the best treatment.
@jeffmarc
Thanks, Jeff. I will register today and will attend the next meeting. Appreciate the details. It’s probably something I should have been on anyway once the PSA started rising. I do now have an appt with UCLA at the end of Aug as well.
If you are looking for RO you can not find better than
https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/amar-kishan
We had second opinion consultations with him for salvage radiation and I was beyond impressed with his expertise and also kindness. It is so rare to find such accomplished doctor that is down to earth and humble on top of it !!! First class in every way 🏆
@surftohealth88
Thank you, surftohealth. I have a consult setup at the same Westwood location after a call to UCLA Heath this morning. They found me the earliest doc available. Doctor Pantuck, who is in Westwood. It looks like they have a great team there. We are most likely looking at salvage as well.
One question for both of you, do you think I should get an additional PSA test now to confirm my 4 Aug 0.09 quick rise, or wait until the first week in Sep? If I do it now, I will have the results before the consult. As a reminder: Oct 2025 RARP; Feb <0.001; May 0.02; Aug 0.09. All done at the same lab.