Newly diagnosed, looking for docs in Rocky Mountain region

Hi everyone, first post. I'm 52 and diagnosed a few weeks ago with "very low risk" prostate cancer. See what I know in the sig. I've been lurking here since diagnosed and I really appreciate everyone's contributions. You've all already helped a great deal.

My urologist here that did the biopsy recommended an RP. He does RPs, but only "about one per month." Of course, I'm now looking for more opinions. I read here with interest the overtreatment issues and although I'm ready to accept that an RP may be in my future, I definitely want to weigh other options.

I live in New Mexico. My primary care doc suggested I look elsewhere, and in particular, recommended Mayo Scottsdale. I'm considering Dr. Robert Ferrigni. I'm also thinking of Crawford or Barqawi up at U. of Colorado in Denver. Any other recommendations?

Thanks, Rob

I've heard many good things about the doctors at the University of Colorado. I understand they take a team approach on each case before coming up with a suggested treatment plan, and that they may suggest one of many treatments depending on the particulars of your case. This might be AS, focal, RP, radiation, etc. They are located on the old Fitzsimmons army hospital base in Aurora Colorado (just east of Denver close to the airport) along with other new hospitals .... quite a complex to visit and easy parking.

I live in Denver and go to TUCC (The Urologic Clinic of Colorado) for my PSA testing and ED rehab (TUCC is close to my house). TUCC has some pretty good docs and I know guys who feel they are a good place to go for treatment, but if I was just starting down the PCa trail, I would probably not start at TUCC.

I know very little about the Mayo in Scottsdale (I've driven by it). I'd think it would be pretty good if it is part of the Mayo system, and looking at the number of seniors in the Phoenix area, I am sure they get a lot of practice treating PCa.

Good luck and best wishes as you move forward.

Post Edited (RCS) : 10/11/2014 3:41:59 AM (GMT-6)

You might consider Dr. Michael Lee at Urology Center of the Rockies in Ft. Collins, CO. They are a part of the University of Colorado system. I've never met a doctor quite like Dr. Lee - extremely smart, skilled....combined with a VERY caring personality. He's top notch. My husband had no incontinence whatsoever after surgery, which I attribute to Dr. Lee's skill.

Our experience at CU Medical, Denver was not good - we went there before finding Dr. Lee. Doctor we saw brought my husband's case to the "team" and then they didn't get back to us. We finally called after a week and he said the team couldn't agree on a treatment suggestion - not a big help. Your case sounds much less advanced, so your experience would likely be better.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Fairwind, that's good advice on the insurance. I am insured, but with basically no experience in dealing with them. So far in life I've been pretty lucky, no hospitalizations, surgeries, or anything else major. Both Mayo and UC have said they'll take my coverage for the doctors I'm interested in. But I do want to be careful on selecting treatments. Do you typically deal directly with your insurance company, or go through the doctor or hospital? Sorry, but pretty naive here.

acsd, thanks for the heads up. So far, I've been very underwhelmed with the office staff at UC. Maybe that's a sign. Mayo, on the other hand, has been extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I guess what interested me with UC is Crawford and cryotherapy, along with their imaging capabilities.

Skeeter, I looked into it, and note that the new proton beam won't be installed at Scottsdale until 2016. But thanks for pointing this out.

Michael_T, I'm a bit suspect of my biopsy report, at least compared with what I can find on the web. 12 cores were taken, but there's only info on 6 cores. My urologist wasn't much help. He initially said I was "low risk" at our consultation meeting 2 weeks after the biopsy. But then at the end of the meeting, he looked at the numbers again and stated "oh, I guess you're actually very low risk." It didn't give me much confidence, and I'm wondering of quality of the biopsy itself. I guess I figured I'd find a doctor first before sending off the slides. Mayo stated that my next step would be to send them the slides. UC wanted to have an appointment first.

Sorry for all my rambling...thanks again, everyone!

Rob