In a last-minute addition, Johns Hopkins uropathologist Jonathan Epstein will answer questions on active surveillance, biopsies and second opinions at the meeting of Active Surveillance Patients International (ASPI) on April 29.
Originally, the meeting at 12 p.m. Eastern April 29 was going to only premiere the latest episode of the Active Surveillance 101 video series: "Second Opinions and Biopsies," featuring our intrepid researchers, PCa patient Larry White and his savvy wife Nancy White, interviewing uropathology legend Epstein.
But thanks to some schedule changes, Epstein will join a Q&A session after the video is aired.
Register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdeqsrDorGt0ujT6Ifo0Jx0FU30yoAt3L
If you want to submit questions in advance, send them to ASPI chairman Mark Lichty at mlichty@aspatients.org Epstein is prepared to handle all-comers.
(Dr. Jonathan Epstein.)
Co-sponsors of the AS 101 series under the Active Surveillance Coalition include AnCan Foundation, Prostate Cancer Support Canada, Prostate Cancer Research Institute, and TheActiveSurveillor.com newsletter.
To view the full AS 101 series to date, covering PSAs, diagnosis, and Active Surveillance, go to https://aspatients.org/a-s-101/https://aspatients.org/a-s-101/
Jonathan Epstein, The Patient’s Pathologist
By Howard Wolinsky
Almost thirteen years ago, Dr. Epstein rendered a second opinion in my diagnosis. I know scores of other patients who have seen him for second opinions.
In fact, I estimate since I was diagnosed in 2010, he has reviewed biopsy slides for more than 150,000 patients. I suspect many other physicians turn to him to read their slides.
Typical pathologists consider themselves “doctors’ doctors.” They speak to our urologists.
But Epstein will discuss your case with you. He is the patient’s pathologist.
I wrote a book a few years back for the College of American Pathologists on the future of pathology. One of the predictions in the book is that pathologists will have—should have—more direct patient contact.
Epstein is showing the way.
To book a second opinion with Epstein, go to: https://pathology.jhu.edu/patient-care/second-opinions/send
When "my" urologist at UCSF finally found a biopsy core he liked, he got a 3+4=7 change from pathology and triggered an automatic ADT/EBRT treatment order.
Unable to contact him, I amazingly did get a long conversation with the pathologist. Nothing in that discussion gave me any confidence that it was accurate.
I gleefully left the "care" at UCSF only to find that no other urologist or oncologist would consider countermanding them and an offering alternative plan.
"Patient no longer a text-book candidate for active surveillance."
Three years later, I did get a totally negative bone scan and CT scan and was handed a Rx for beginning ADT!