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Feeling overwhelmed: How to pick the right Mayo radiation oncologist?

Posted by benzo @benzo, Aug 12 8:10pm

Hello community,
I am reaching out because I am feeling quite stressed about choosing the right radiation oncologist for my prostate cancer care at Mayo Clinic.
There are so many treatment options available today—SBRT, Proton Beam, Brachytherapy, IMRT, and combination boosts—and I have no idea which one is right for my tumor profile. At the same time, I notice that many physicians list specific focus areas. My fear is that if I schedule with a doctor who only specializes in certain modalities, I might end up with a limited treatment recommendation based on what they do, rather than what is objectively best for my cancer.

For those who navigated this at Mayo:

How did Mayo match you with your radiation oncologist?

Did your physician walk you through the full spectrum of options (SBRT vs Proton vs Seeds), or did you need to consult multiple specialists?

Any reassurance or information on how Mayo’s triage and multidisciplinary teams work would mean a lot to me right now. Thank you!

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

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keywest19 | @keywest19 | Aug 13 10:32am
In reply to @jc76 "@benzo Which Mayo are you going to? I go to Mayo Jacksonville. I had an excellent..." + (show)
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@benzo
Which Mayo are you going to? I go to Mayo Jacksonville.

I had an excellent primary care provider (PCP) who was very experienced with prostate cancer (PC) as he had a lot of patients with it. He did a lot of research on PC to, in his words, "be able to help guide my patients with the best recommendations based on present research."

He guided me through my journey even recommending I get a second opinion at a major medical intuitions that treats prostate cancers even though he, my urologist, and my R/O were all at Mayo Jacksonville.

Do you have a PCP that can help you? Please do some research on this at major medical institutions. Mayo's motto is "patient first" so if you have these doubts speak up and let them know.

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@jc76 would you mind sharing your PCP's name. I also go to Mayo Jacksonville to see my Uro-oncologist surgeon but now see his APRN. I see a NP locally for my GP needs but would like to switch to Mayo since I travel there often for PSA follow up. I think it would be beneficial to move all my care to Mayo in case PC pops back up and they could easily coordinate care. Thanks, Jim

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lag | @lag | Aug 13 10:39am

My husband is Stage 4 and has been a patient of Dr. Kwon at Mayo Rochester since 2011. He has had many radiation treatments for metastases to his spine and near a shoulder blade over the years. The radiation oncologist who treated him for years has shifted to treating lung cancer. Dr. Kwon now recommends three radiation oncologists for prostate cancer, including Dr. Matthew Phillips.. My husband has been treated with SBRT to spinal metastases several times in 2025 and 2026 by Dr. Phillips. He is very skilled and a great person--generous with his time and easy to talk to. He performs many types of radiation oncology treatments, which you can see if you read his bio on the Mayo web site. Dr. Phillips will go through as much information about the options and pros and cons of various radiation treatments as you want and need. He would be a great choice.

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Jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | Aug 13 11:55am

without knowing how serious your case is and where you are going to Mayo, I will just mention that if you have an advanced case, you should contact Dr. Heath at Mayo Rochester. She’s one of the best oncologist in the country and can direct you to the best treatment you could possibly get.

If you do not have an advanced case, you may not be able to get an appointment with her.

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benzo | @benzo | Aug 13 4:53pm
In reply to @jeffmarc "without knowing how serious your case is and where you are going to Mayo, I will..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jeff Marchi @jeffmarc

without knowing how serious your case is and where you are going to Mayo, I will just mention that if you have an advanced case, you should contact Dr. Heath at Mayo Rochester. She’s one of the best oncologist in the country and can direct you to the best treatment you could possibly get.

If you do not have an advanced case, you may not be able to get an appointment with her.

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@jeffmarc Thanks and I know her through her presentation. She IS good. I am unfavored intermid, and PSMA PET shows confined.

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benzo | @benzo | Aug 13 5:04pm
In reply to @heavyphil "@Benzo, I know nothing about the Mayo team, but it seems to me that YOU need..." + (show)
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@benzo, I know nothing about the Mayo team, but it seems to me that YOU need to find the treatment that makes the most sense to your particular case; and the treatment which you are the most comfortable with while offering the highest chances of success.
There may also be ADT involved, which might also affect your decision.
So choose the RO who specializes - or comes closest - in your particular cancer; obviously, you have a few consults ahead of you!
Phil
Phil

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@heavyphil thanks Phil! It is hard part to find out if I can find a good fit. Also the waiting list is long, I want to get it done asap

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benzo | @benzo | Aug 13 8:34pm
In reply to @billfarm "@benzo I go to rochester mayo. I took Kwons sugesstion for a radiologist and did not..." + (show)
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@benzo I go to rochester mayo. I took Kwons sugesstion for a radiologist and did not investigate the other radiologists

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@billfarm good for you, can you share the name? Thanks!

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benzo | @benzo | Aug 13 8:43pm
In reply to @lag "My husband is Stage 4 and has been a patient of Dr. Kwon at Mayo Rochester..." + (show)
Profile picture for lag @lag

My husband is Stage 4 and has been a patient of Dr. Kwon at Mayo Rochester since 2011. He has had many radiation treatments for metastases to his spine and near a shoulder blade over the years. The radiation oncologist who treated him for years has shifted to treating lung cancer. Dr. Kwon now recommends three radiation oncologists for prostate cancer, including Dr. Matthew Phillips.. My husband has been treated with SBRT to spinal metastases several times in 2025 and 2026 by Dr. Phillips. He is very skilled and a great person--generous with his time and easy to talk to. He performs many types of radiation oncology treatments, which you can see if you read his bio on the Mayo web site. Dr. Phillips will go through as much information about the options and pros and cons of various radiation treatments as you want and need. He would be a great choice.

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@lag Could not find Matthew Phillips, but Ryan Phillips.

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billfarm | @billfarm | Aug 13 9:25pm
In reply to @benzo "@lag Could not find Matthew Phillips, but Ryan Phillips." + (show)
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@lag Could not find Matthew Phillips, but Ryan Phillips.

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@benzo Ryan is the correct name.

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lag | @lag | Aug 13 9:37pm
In reply to @benzo "@lag Could not find Matthew Phillips, but Ryan Phillips." + (show)
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@lag Could not find Matthew Phillips, but Ryan Phillips.

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@benzo I am sorry--his name is Ryan Phillips. I apologize for the confusion.

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lag | @lag | Aug 13 9:42pm
In reply to @benzo "@billfarm good for you, can you share the name? Thanks!" + (show)
Profile picture for benzo @benzo

@billfarm good for you, can you share the name? Thanks!

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@benzo I think billfarm said in an earlier post that Dr. Kwon recommended Dr. Ryan Phillips and that he had a zoom consult with him.

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