Leading Prostat Cancer Hospital

Hi Kate,
that would depend really on whether he wanted to see a urologist (surgeon), oncologist or someone who specialises in less common treatments such as cryotherapy, etc. It also depends on what you mean by aggressive.

There is a supposed Top 10 list in England -- these are the urological surgeons that most other urologists said they would choose if they had prostate cancer. But if your brother already has mets (spread) then a surgeon is probably not the second opinion he is looking for.

Kate

I recently decided not to get a second opinion. I'm in Hampshire too , aged 48. After speaking to PCUK nurses and Macmillan with all my history they reckoned I would probably get the same prognosis and treatment plan anyway. I think mostly the NHS are great but I've had a happyish journey with them so far. Best wishes and keep posting
Chris

Hi Lyn
How do we go about finding that info ?? I've been on Dr Fosters website. Do you have to register etc to see surgeon's results and outcomes etc. I'm quite interested ( maybe a bit late though )
Chris

Hi Kate,

I have to agree that without a complete diagnosis it is difficult to see what can be gained at this point by having a second opinion. If the cancer is aggressive it could be considered so because the prostate cores taken at biopsy were assessed to have greatly mutated when considered by an expert looking at them in a lab. There are incidentally at least 27 types of PCa and some of these are more aggressive than others and there is always the potential for further mutation in any of them. What is necessary now is to establish whether the cancer is confined within the Prostate, is in the process of escaping or has spread elsewhere. This is known as staging and scans help establish diagnosis. The patient is then told what treatment options are open to him which also have to take into account a number of other aspects, not least whether there are other medical considerations that would rule out or complicate treatment. Then even if all treatment options are possible, the patient may be more averse to some than others. Ultimately, it is important that the patient gets a highly skilled surgeon with a good track record if surgery is the preferred choice or the most advanced RT that can be had or other treatments. Sometimes where there is a choice of treatment there may be little to choose between effectiveness in dealing with the cancer and then other aspects such as potential side effects can be a deciding factor including what is the next possibility if primary treatment fails.

If in due course you can provide his PSA when he was first diagnosed with PCa, his Gleason score and scans with interpretation, we will be in a better position to know where he is on his cancer journey and hopefully will be able to comment further.