Second Opinions: Why, When, and Who?

Why?

You want a different perspective on your options. A second opinion serves as a quality check - to make sure you're really getting the most up to date, most effective treatment for you!

When?

When you are not absolutely convinced about your treatment.

If You Have Been Given Little Hope

Patients are sometime told there's no or little hope and that no further treatment can be of benefit. In this case, there's certainly nothing to lose by getting a second opinion. There is always a chance, however small, for a new upcoming treatments.

If There is Something "Borderline" About Your Case

If your tumor is almost operable, but not quite, you might want a second opinion. Similarly if your tumor is on the borderline of requiring adjuvant chemotherapy you might want a second opinion.

If You Have a Rare Cancer

If you have a rare cancer, there are good reasons to get a second opinion. What you really want is to find an expert in that form of cancer. If such an expert is local then you should probably switch to that doctor, if the expert is far away, which is likely, your doctor may be able to work with him via telephone consultations. If you already are under treatment by an expert, then, you might still want a second opinion by another expert.

Who?

Independent Doctors

You want your second opinion to be independent - so you should choose a doctor who doesn't have a close relationship with your doctor. Doctors who practice together are likely to think similarly. What you want is a fresh perspective.

A Different Specialist

Many types of cancers are treated by several different types of specialists. For instance, prostate cancer is treated by urologists, who are surgeons, and by oncologists who are experts on radiation and drug treatment. It often makes a lot of sense to see one of the other types of specialist to get a different perspective. Very often, one specialist will call another for a consultation, in that case you may not have to do anything to get this second opinion.