Colon tumor - Second Opinion?

Hi @migfin - Seeking a second opinion for a stage-2 colon cancer diagnosis is a wise step to ensure you’re fully informed about your treatment options. Are you primarily interested in treatments available internationally, or more cost effective treatments than available in US? Where are you located? This we will help focus a response. Can you share more details regarding your staging?

If you’d like, I can search for specific hospitals in a country of your choice or provide more details on Mayo Clinic’s process. Let me know your location or preferences for further tailoring! Wishing you clarity and strength in your journey

Thanks @roywalton for your support. Doctor tells me the tumor has grown into or through the outermost layers of the colon but not through nearby organs. Treatment options are surgery and followed by chemo. I am just looking to raise my confidence bar in the diagnosis, treament plans and prognosis and thus the need for a second opinion. I am located in SF Bay area and my my appointment with the second specialist is few weeks away and as you can imagine I am impatient to wait that long. I'd just like to have a chat with a specialist asap and so I am exploring getting in touch with doctors internationally who don't usually go with the same system as us here and are easily approachable. One of my colleagues have recommended me a doctor in India so I am interested to see if anyone went through similar channels and have advise.

Hello. I had a colon cancer diagnosis on Feb.5. Even though some preliminary assessment is done at the time of biopsy, your tumor can only be correctly staged , once it’s out of you and with a pathology lab. I scoured facilities in both Canada and the U.S. I can share a few facts to help you.
1. It’s in your best interest to get it out asap.
2. You will have to have surgery (and chemo, if the cancer has breached the colon wall).
3. Never underestimate the advanced clinical management that you have in the U.S.; both in terms of pre-op and post op pain & infection management. This would be a mistake.
4. If you have reasonable Medicare coverage, the likelihood of you having great follow up is best in the U.S.
5. Many other countries do not have the resources to do extensive pathology/histology patient specific testing.
This is my experience after many face to face meetings, 20 pages of notes, a medical background and an ability to understand published medical papers.

@migfin - thanks for that information.... Please ask your doctor for the actual staging that was done on your tumor. From what you have said it could be stage 2 or stage 3 each would have specific treatment options. Ask your doctor for the NCCN staging information. Is there a reason why you want to go to India for treatment? There are many good options in SF. Can you please provide more information? Stage 3 and stage 2 have very good outcomes today, compared to just a few years ago.

when I was diagnosed with anal, not colon, cancer I was able to see doctors for second and third opinion very quickly. UCSF was one, M.D.Anderson in Texas was another and UCI was another. I ended up after much research (internationally as well as domestically) with proton radiation in San Diego and am very glad I did. didn't like the chemo so just didn't do it after the first week. turns out I guess I didn't need it or a week was enough?
Some appointments can be had without waiting more than a week if you are willing to do it via the internet. all they need are copies of you pet scan and medical stuff.
Remember this is your body, your choice. Just be sure you have all the information so you can make an informed decision.