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How long should I wait for an appt to get a second opinion?

Posted by dana23 @dana23, Sep 12, 2023

Hi! I was diagnosed with DCIS by a local oncologist but I wanted a second opinion so I scheduled another appointment at a bigger cancer research center but the earliest appointment they have is one month and a week away. I’m nervous to wait that long since my local surgeon can do a lumpectomy this coming Monday. Could it become invasive if I wait that long? How long did you wait for an appointment?

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windyshores | @windyshores | Sep 12, 2023

Do you need a second opinion about having a lumpectomy? If not you can go ahead with surgery, get pathology results, and then get a second opinion on treatment. Second opinions tend to be more useful with post-surgical pathology on hand.

I got 4 opinions- all after my mastectomies.

Again if you are not sure about lumpectomy versus mastectomy, that is a different situation.

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 12, 2023

I agree with every word that @windyshores just posted. I would add that you can ask for the actual slides from pathology and hand carry them to the larger cancer center if you need to.
Second opinions are pretty normal for cancer care.

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dana23 | @dana23 | Sep 12, 2023

Thank you so much, @windyshores and @oakley for responding so fast!
I’m looking for a second opinion on the lumpectomy because my surgeon said that it’s not necessary to do a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and I’ve been reading that most of surgeons do that. My DCIS is 9mm and although the MRI show normal-looking lymph nodes that doesn’t mean there’s no invasion.

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3 replies
windyshores | @windyshores | Sep 12, 2023
In reply to @dana23 "Thank you so much, @windyshores and @oakley for responding so fast! I’m looking for a second..." + (show)
@dana23

Thank you so much, @windyshores and @oakley for responding so fast!
I’m looking for a second opinion on the lumpectomy because my surgeon said that it’s not necessary to do a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and I’ve been reading that most of surgeons do that. My DCIS is 9mm and although the MRI show normal-looking lymph nodes that doesn’t mean there’s no invasion.

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You might want to ask on breastcancer.org as well.

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delormv | @delormv | Sep 13, 2023
In reply to @dana23 "Thank you so much, @windyshores and @oakley for responding so fast! I’m looking for a second..." + (show)
@dana23

Thank you so much, @windyshores and @oakley for responding so fast!
I’m looking for a second opinion on the lumpectomy because my surgeon said that it’s not necessary to do a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and I’ve been reading that most of surgeons do that. My DCIS is 9mm and although the MRI show normal-looking lymph nodes that doesn’t mean there’s no invasion.

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@dana23 can you schedule an appointment with your current oncologist, with research in hand, and state why you want the sentinel lymph node removed? Make sure your research is from a reputable source so you can state why you want the sentinel node removed. Even though the nodes look normal on scans, it doesn’t mean there aren’t microscopic cancer cells present, but because the cancer isn’t considered invasive yet, the dr might feel removal isn’t necessary. The Dr might be hesitant to remove the nodes because the cancer is not diagnosed as invasive, Be an advocate for yourself and don’t be afraid to do so. This is your health. I wish you well!

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mchler73 | @mchler73 | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @dana23 "Thank you so much, @windyshores and @oakley for responding so fast! I’m looking for a second..." + (show)
@dana23

Thank you so much, @windyshores and @oakley for responding so fast!
I’m looking for a second opinion on the lumpectomy because my surgeon said that it’s not necessary to do a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and I’ve been reading that most of surgeons do that. My DCIS is 9mm and although the MRI show normal-looking lymph nodes that doesn’t mean there’s no invasion.

Jump to this post

I was diagnosed with DCIS and also a very rare type of invasive metaplastic carcinoma.
I had a sentinel node biopsy surgery done but only due to the invasive cancer.
My surgeon told me had I only had DCIS, a SNB would not have been necessary because DCIS is non-invasive.
Hope that helps some.

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1 reply
dana23 | @dana23 | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @mchler73 "I was diagnosed with DCIS and also a very rare type of invasive metaplastic carcinoma. I..." + (show)
@mchler73

I was diagnosed with DCIS and also a very rare type of invasive metaplastic carcinoma.
I had a sentinel node biopsy surgery done but only due to the invasive cancer.
My surgeon told me had I only had DCIS, a SNB would not have been necessary because DCIS is non-invasive.
Hope that helps some.

Jump to this post

It helps a lot learning about different oncologist’s opinions. Thank you!

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rosa1935 | @rosa1935 | Sep 15, 2023

Don’t wait. If you want a second opinion, go for it x

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