You need a doctor that fully explains all the complications and side effects of treatment. Ask for patient referrals, what success rate has your docotor had. Who does the radiation and the type of machinery used is extremly important. We went for a second opinon and changed courses of treatment, so shop around. There is a proton Beam unit in a hospital in Boston. Check and see ifyour insurance covers that. If he is a candidate, it has been documented that Proton Beam has less side effects than the more general radiation. It also depends on the age and type of equipment used in the hospital you plan to attend. Take care...
On 5/1/2008 ninel wrote:
My husband is newly diagnosed, and WW has been recommended by urologist and radiation oncologist. How do we go about finding a highly rated radiation oncologist in NYC? Should he continue with the one he was sent to and if treatment in needed go for second opinion/switch to a someone more highly rated at that time? Or, is it the radiation Dept at the hospital that is the most important variable? And if so what hospitals, aside from Sloan Kettering ( which is not on his plan) are well thought of.
thanks in advance- the advice and information I have received has been so clear and valuable
Ninel