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How do I get a Second Opinion (cancer)?
Cancer | Last Active: Jan 21 10:40pm | Replies (43)Comment receiving replies
My local docter didn't seem interested in doing a LC Screening test. I made an appointment with a teaching hospital in their Pulmonology Dept. The docter recommended the screening because of my history. Because of the findings I had to have it repeated in 12 months. At the second screening I was diagnosed with poorly differentiated Squamous LC. It was less than 3 cm, and the PET scan was clear. I had a VATs resection, and now have been NED for 6 years.
I had an appointment with the local docter later. He said he should bring his patients up to the teaching hospital, and that the local hospital wouldn't have offered me surgery. I think that second opinion gave me time.
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Not to take anything away from local docs or even local cancer specialists but they can’t possibly have the breadth of knowledge and experience as you will find at a cancer centre where they have seen and treated everything. According to MD Anderson data 25% of the people they treat come in with wrong pathologies from original doctor—not to mention many more who should have been diagnosed a lot earlier. Cancer is such a diverse spectrum of diseases that you really need to look for the leading medical professionals in whatever unique area of expertise you need. Mostly you will find them at a specialty cancer clinic. As a previous commenter posted it is easy and quick to get into MD Anderson. All you need is to have your pathology sent to them. Some local docs will directly refer if wanting to get a diagnosis and/or treatment plan confirmed. They will treat or just provide their expertise for you to be treated elsewhere. I am sure there are excellent resources at other well known specialty clinics. Don’t want to take anything away from them, but just commenting from personal experience as a caregiver to a patient. By the way, MD Anderson treats caregivers as royalty!