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Do I stll need a Rad. Onc.?

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Posted 7/8/2013 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
I have appointments with both my Med. Onc. as well as Rad. Onc. on Thursday 7/11 to go over my latest test results.   Still undetectable PSA by the way!! Praise God… Opps. Wondering if it’s time to drop my Rad. Onc. knowing he can’t do anything else for me now. I just meet with him and go over test results or any other problems I might be having. He does a DRE and sends me on my way. I really don’t know what   else he can contribute after finishing my treatments. My Med. Onc. goes over the same test and pretty much ask the same questions.   He is the one that administers the Lupron and Casodox but doesn’t do the DRE knowing the other Dr. just did. So, my question is. When should I stop seeing my Radiation Oncologist? Thanks, bertb  
Posted 7/8/2013 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
After the post-RT review (about 45 days out) my RO told me we were done, and sent me back to my uro. Have not talked to that office since about RT (they also do other scans, so I've been back, but not to see the RO).
Posted 7/8/2013 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
After my IMRT.....I kept going to appts every 6 months and still do. I guess that's just my docs preference but I have no issues with it as its in the same building as my Uro.

Plus my RO is the guy who signed me up for radium 223...not my med onc for some reason...although they talked to each other about it.
Posted 7/8/2013 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
My health plan had me drop seeing the RO after I finished RT. All follow up is done through the URO's office and the PC coordinator RN. I've been told that if there is any need to see the RO, they send me over. I've even been told that if I wanted I could see the RO at any time but I haven't found a need for that.
Posted 7/8/2013 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Bert, I would say that unless you have radiation related issues then you can probably drop the RO at this point. That is, unless you are enjoying the DRE's....

Jim
Posted 7/8/2013 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Bertb,

My RO left his practice shortly after my 3 month follow up appointment due to family health reasons. I was very concerned about it at the time, but it has turned out to be no big deal. My URO does all my followups now, and return visits to the RO would have just been duplicate efforts. I just have to trust that my RO was well chosen and that he did his job right in the placement of the seeds.
Posted 7/8/2013 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
I had SRT a little over 3 years ago and saw my RO every 6 months or so for a while, in part to consult regarding radiation induced rectal bleeding, which has since resolved. I last saw him after a one year interval and am scheduled to see him again in January after another 1 year interval. There probably is no need for me to see him any more, but I value his opinion and additional point of view in addition to my uro (who I see every six months).

The good news is I have absolutely no measurable PSA which, of course is a very good thing. But I think part of the reason for our now annual visits is some worry on my part and curiosity on his having to do with my doing far better than all of the nomograms and published studies suggest I should be doing.
Posted 7/8/2013 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
I saw my RO the Monday of the last week go my IMRT (primary treatment). That's it, other than a nice note from him when I sent him a letter telling him how great his tech's had been. That was 6.5 years ago.

In the past 5 years, I've exchanged a short e-mail with my urn twice a year at psa test time. Had my blood drawn today. Hope it is only an e-mail this time too!
Posted 7/8/2013 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
I used to see my RO twice a year, but just noticed that all his follow up patients see his physician assistant. Not too crazy about that arrangement. I'd rather see him. I consider him part of the team.
Posted 7/8/2013 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
probably no real reason to see the RO, if they are done, and you aren't having any post-RT issues, not much point, most would go back to care of their uro if everything is in order, or perhaps oncologist if you still have PSA issues.

david
Posted 7/9/2013 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
I now see my Rad Onc yearly and will continue to do so indefinately.   He tracks all his patients for as long as possible to develop treatment metrics to manage the practice.   He gives me a very good physical and includes four pages of questions regarding urinary, bowel, and sexual effects from the radiation.  
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