Any experiences with MSKCC?

Hi,

Just looking for input on MSKCC experiences? As stated before, we are in NJ and are leaning towards radiation via triple play/MaxRT. I am leaning towards having all of it done through the MSKCC "network" primarily due to their expertise in HDR brachytherapy. I am not sure i want to risk this highly specialized procedure elsewhere, even if it means having to treck into Manhattan for it. The IMRT/ADT aspect of things is going to occur in their Middletown or Basking Ridge office. I would love to hear folks experiences at MSKCC - either negative or positive. Thanks up front for the help as always.

Thanks!

NiRo, i had my salvage radiation done by Dr Michael Zelefsky at MSKCC in Manhattan. He is Vice Chair of the Brachy service. I found him and everybody at MSKCC to be highly professional, extremely competent, very efficient. That goes for the Dr, his staff, the nurses, nurse practitioner, as well as the technicians and administrative staff that i dealt with on a daily basis every day when i went in for my treatment.

I am not sure if you have the IMRT aspect in NJ how that would affect your ability to be treated in Manhattan for the HDR Brachy aspect, you should ask.
That aside, i would highly recommend Dr Zelefsky if you can get an appointment with him.

I was early with HDR as were others like F8 and MichaelT. We are some 10 years out and believe it is a superior treatment. Glad you are seriously considering it. More than 20 years ago, none other than Andy Grove ( a genius) concluded it was the best treatment to pursue.

Please let me and other HDR alumni know how we can be of assistance.

Best wishes,

Jack.

High dose rate brachytherapy seems to be having a comeback due to a new generation of machines that are far more accurate for the provider, and easier on the patients.

In general terms of prostate cancer care, MSKCC is at the pinnacle of reviews. You can’t go wrong by going there.

Boris Mychalczak did my salvage radiation at MSKCC in Westchester. At the time he was also setting up the new office in Basking Ridge so he may still be practicing there. Before my surgery he suggested the brachy. I recommend him highly as a caring practitioner (he followed up our first conversation with a phone call to see if I was planning surgery or radiation, and was thorough and empathetic throughout the salvage process) who keeps up with the research and knows his stuff.
One post on healingwell described him and Zelefsky as superstars. I’d agree.

Hi All,

Thanks for the guidance here. We pulled the trigger and will be starting treatment at MSKCC. Waiting for appointments, etc to get set up in the next couple of weeks.

While we like the local doctor and he does offer brachytherapy, being able to have treatment for such a specialized treatment with specialists who perform it in a high volume manner is not something to take lightly (similar to surgeons I feel). The IMRT portion of things is more "status quo" in comparison and probably won't differ much, but we'll also stick with MSKCC and their expertise there as well (probably will help with centrally coordinating the care).

Thanks again to all, will keep updating with progress (and questions) as we move through the various treatments.

Still waiting on the JH biopsy results as well, but being a little patient there while we line up other things.

I believe it'll be Lupron and then during the months of radiation augmented with casodex. At least that was the protocol we were told by the RO @ MSKCC.