Head and neck carcinoma: Anyone get a second opinion at Mayo Clinic?

Posted by rtibbets @rtibbets, Mar 4, 2023

My wife currently has squamous cell carcinoma in her neck. We have dealing with our doctors for two years and feel now we are going backwards we looking into second opinion is there anyone here that has been treated at Mayo Clinic for a similiar situation and how was it for you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

@pozwex

Thanks for the information. Feeling a lot of stress, but I will keep on keeping on. I will access the link you sent. Much appreciated! Thanks.
pozwex

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Hello @pozwex . As a long time patient of Mayo, I want to recommend that their care is priceless in comparison to local doctors. We have found Mayo costs most reasonable over the years. Sharing your information via video visit is a perfect idea and worth any expense. I also have head and neck cancer ( for over 11 years) and see a wonderful oncologist there, Dr. Katharine Price. We drive 10 hours from Ohio to Rochester,Minnesota and it is worth every minute spent traveling. Best of luck to you. You have a battle ahead, but stay strong and positive to get you through.

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@pozwex

<p>Diagnosed recently with Salivary Gland Carcinoma. Have had every scan available here in Dallas. Surgery scheduled in about 3 weeks.<br />I would like a 2nd opinion but would like for it to be done by televisit after the scans have been reviewed. Another issue is the cost. Doubtful that Aetna-Medicare would cover any of the cost and evaluating all the scans would take time and effort on the part of the Mayo Clinic. I would need approximate pricing "up front" to see if I could afford the second opinion. Aetna might possibly help, but I can't count on them. Any chance "Mayo Clinic" would try to work this out? If so who to contact?</p>

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How are you doing, @pozwex?

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@pozwex

<p>Diagnosed recently with Salivary Gland Carcinoma. Have had every scan available here in Dallas. Surgery scheduled in about 3 weeks.<br />I would like a 2nd opinion but would like for it to be done by televisit after the scans have been reviewed. Another issue is the cost. Doubtful that Aetna-Medicare would cover any of the cost and evaluating all the scans would take time and effort on the part of the Mayo Clinic. I would need approximate pricing "up front" to see if I could afford the second opinion. Aetna might possibly help, but I can't count on them. Any chance "Mayo Clinic" would try to work this out? If so who to contact?</p>

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Doing OK. Thanks for asking.
Fortunately, I found 2nd opinions right here in the DFW area so I am no longer seeking a 2nd opinion from the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic was great and easy to communicate with, but it isn't easy to handle all the issues from 1,000 miles away.
I now have additional "input" that I wanted and we are moving forward.
Thanks to all the people at Mayo that offered assistance. It is appreciated.
pozwex

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