Which Mayo Clinic is best for Prostate Cancer treatment and wait times

My experience with the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville took place last year. I do not have have cancer, but I did require prostate surgery due to having a prostate that was enlarged and growing into my bladder. The type of surgery I needed was only performed by two surgeons in Florida, one of which was at the Mayo in Jacksonville. Once I was ready to find out how I could get into the Mayo to see this Doctor, I went online with the Mayo and reached out to ask for an appointment. I gave them the background to my condition and asked if I could see Dr. Dora. Within a few days, the Mayo responded and asked for records, images, etc. I submitted via email the answers to their questions, I mailed them MRI images of the prostate. Within a week, I had an appointment to see Dr. Dora. It took about 4 weeks to see him…..and then based on that appointment, my surgery was scheduled for two months after that! Could not be more satisfied with the results of the entire Mayo Clinic experience from beginning to end. I have never been to the Rochester facility, or the Arizona facility so I cannot comment on them at all. I have to believe that the three Mayo Clinic’s all share practices and procedures. I don’t think one could do any better than receiving care from any of the three! I was so happy to have been provided care from the Jacksonville Mayo. I believe I would have been equally happy had it been either of the other two clinics. One may be able to get to you sooner than the other! One may simply be more convenient than the other two. Because your case is much more urgent than my own, maybe you consider reaching out to all three Mayo Clinic’s to see if access to one might be sooner than the other? I might add that the Mayo in Jacksonville partners with an insight hotel which makes it much easier if you’re visiting from some distance, and the rate is a reduced rate from the advertised rate if you’re having a procedure there. There is shuttle service every 15 minutes from the hotel to the hospital just a few hundred yards away. Good luck friend!

Maryvilleman, I would highly recommend Mayo-Rochester. In early September 2022, I was told that my PSA was increasing at a high rate. I called Mayo-Rochester, and within three weeks I completed my initial visit, MRI, and biopsy. Six weeks later, I had a radical prostatectomy. Incredible doctors and support staff, I can't imagine going through this without the level of support Mayo provided.

Best of luck with your decision,

Jim

Wondering if Rochester MAYO provides destination phase IV Prostate Cancer services? Some EDS & MEDS cancer centers have weekend programs.

Hi Maryvilleman, I had my treatment for prostrate cancer at Mayo Phoenix. I'm not familiar with Rochester, but Phoenix has a wing of the hospital dedicated to radiation treatment of cancer. The Proton Beam treatment center has 5 bays as well. It was built in 2015 and has the latest equipment. My selection of Mayo Phoenix was based on several factors. The first was type of treatment. I chose Proton Beam Therapy, which I believe all Mayo Hospitals offer. Second was living accommodations. My treatment was 4 years ago and then the treatment was between 4 and 9 weeks. The cancer team decided the length based on condition of patient and how well they can withstand the treatment. I was lucky to have 4 weeks but met men who had 9. Fortunately for us, we had a place to live in Phoenix area, which is why we chose Phoenix. They also have appartments available next to the hospital for people to live in at no cost while receiving treatment.
Now for the access to services. When I decided on Phoenix, I contacted Mayo and they asked me forward my biopsy information to them. My Gleason was 4+4 In 5 days I was contacted with information that they accepted me. I had first appointment in a week. Since my local urologist hadn't scheduled any scans to determine if the cancer was contained only in the prostrate, they scheduled a series of scans within 3 days and then we met 2 days later and my radiation oncologist said the team had reviewed my results and made the recommendation that I have 4 weeks of radiation and 18 months of ADT treatment. We went through all side effects and then the research on why the ADT was important. It increased my chances of survival from the cancer from 65% to 85%. We agreed to proceed with both treatments and I had my first Lupron shot that day.
Seven weeks later I started the radiation. It's been 4 years and my PSA is still negligible.
The staff at Mayo was fantastic, from the guy who emptied the trash to the oncologist. They were all welcoming and doctors and nurses spent more time with us then we were used to from medical staff. Our first visit lasted an hour and the nurse and doctor didn't try to rush us and were interested in us as people. It seems to be the culture of Mayo. They also have integrated medicine office in the cancer center with classes and support staff. There also is grand piano in the center lobby where anyone can play. Often we sat and listened to some beautiful music.
Finally, you asked about the Braca gene issue. After my treatment,a staff person asked me to participate in a DNA research project and they tested my DNA and didn't find any suspicious genes. However, I have 2 other brothers who had prostrate cancer and I was interested in any hereditary links. Mayo has a division that deals with DNA implications of cancer and have specialist you can talk to. It's available to you regardless which treatment center you use. They determined that our cancers were environmentally caused.
My guess is that you could get comparable treatment at any center.

Tom, Mayo Clinic Rochester is Destination Medical Center (DMC) https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/destination-medical-center-dmc

Can you tell me what is meant by "destination phase IV Prostate Cancer services"? I'm unfamiliar with the term.

I was diagnosed and started my Prostate Cancer treatment at Mayo MN.. an excellent choice..

We sent the files to Duke in Durham, NC but the clinic was closed Monday in observance of the MLK holiday. Here's praying that we make progress today.

My surgeon has not put me on ADT yet and the PSMA and subsequent cystogram shows a urinoma from a bladder leak and now at least one lymph node is involved. Have lost confidence in this urologist

PSA of 12 in late August 2022. Biopsy showed Gleason 6 intermediate risk prostate cancer mid September. Reviewed treatment options via Dr. Walsh's book, Surviving Prostate Cancer. Contacted Mayo Clinic Rochester late September, video appointment late October, treatment began 13 December. My situation was not urgent and I suspect Rochester could and would move even more quickly had it been. Entire process from submission of tests, biopsy, MRI... was super easy. Recommend Mayo Rochester.