Husband disgnosed stage 1: Should he wait 5 months for second opinion?

@jeffmarc 20 fractions in 4 weeks or 28 fractions in 6 weeks; quite a few are also getting 25 fractions in 5 weeks now. All of these have higher Gys per fraction compared to the 8 week course of 37-40 fractions.

@jeffmarc
Yes, I was so happy when my husband got almost 7 weeks of RT - it is demanding schedule time-wise, but it produces less side effects and is worth it IMHO. He is now in the middle of his 4th week and doing just fine. *knock the wood 🍀🧿

@txaiman thank you that helps my concerns. I was all mapped and ready to go but the Lupron and the subsequent tumor flare resulting in spinal fusion delayed the radiation and after realizing how many mistakes and failure to inform me of many things its been difficult to get back on board, I am seeing new Dr's but still coming to terms with the mess that was caused. The concern and information you and others have shown me is helpful and very much appreciated. Thank you and all the others.

I believe John Hopkins is a center of excellence. I go to the Mayo Clinic. The COE's tend to have the best in research, equipment, doctors and most have just about every type of treatment that is out there. They then tend to recommend that treatment which is best for the cancer, not just the one treatment some smaller practices my offer. I think you are wise to at least consult with a COE. You are still free to go back to any doctor you want but at least you will have that second opinion. I will say a prayer all goes well for you and your husband.

if you aren’t happy with the wait there is nothing wrong with going to a different practice for your second opinion. When i was diagnosed I was stage 4 with a PSA of 4.01, imagine my surprise when i got that little nugget of info. The Urlogist was already lining me up for a RP. Not considering a second opinion for me. Told me he had an opening in 2 weeks, yeah…..no. I went to another completely different practice where i was told that a RP would be my best option but offered to refer me to a RO. Turned out the surgery was the best thing, even with the side effects i am still happy to be alive and gong into a year August 13, my PSA is .005 undetectable. Long story short, if you aren’t happy, anxious , or want the second opinion quicker look elsewhere

@bobgolf thank you!

@bobgolf Hopkins is a highly rated COE & NCCN contributing hospital network.

My husband got an earlier appointment at Johns Hopkins and saw a surgeon today. He wants to do surgery, and he basically said that is his bias. He is sending him to a Radiologist oncologist that he says is the best at JH, and if he thinks radiation is the way to go, he will agree. We asked about Tulsa Pro and he quickly dismissed it because he said any treatment that’s only been around 5 years is not the way to go. We are feeling so frustrated, and confused.

@happyhounde, I believe you are referring to cryotherapy, also called cryoablation. Cryotherapy for prostate cancer uses extreme cold to treat the cancer. It involves freezing the prostate tissue, which causes the cancer cells to die.

Cryotherapy may be a treatment option for some men in early-stage prostate cancer or if there is a prostate cancer recurrence. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cryotherapy-for-prostate-cancer/about/pac-20384740

How is your friend doing after treatment?

@jneylon At least you did not have to wait 5 months for that answer. He should have mentioned higher % of recurrence. That is the primary negative of Tulsa Pro. Not unusual for all focal therapy to be dismissed. His focus is on eliminating the cancer rather than the quality of life of the patient after treatment. That is common. Both RP and RT have higher success rates and higher side effects than any focal therapy.