Need recommendation on second opinion pathologist

SccS

Can anyone recommend a pathologist for a second opinion review in NYC? Or a place with trusted pathologists? Preferably ones who have done independent second opinion reviews and are very moral and honest? Original study was done in Beth Israel in NYC. Therefore, a second opinion review must be done in a different place. We are not saying anything negative about Beth Israel. But we really do suspect a false positive. Thanks!

SallyO

you could call MSKCC.  Look them up on the net and they will tell you how to go about it.  You could alco call Columbia or NYU.  Good Luck

proudtospin

my BS & MO are with dif hospitals in NJ ...I have done 2nd opinions with their dif hopitals. MS is with St Peters in New Brunswick and MO and my RO are both with Hackenack....I use them to double check the BS person

BLinthedesert

I used vanderbilt  http://www.breastconsults.com/about_us/about.cfm -- they bill your insurance company directly, and takes what your insurance covers.  They are experts in the field of benign breast pathology (and I mean things that some pathologists call cancer that is really rare atypical stuff). 

SccS

Thank you, SallyO and proudtospin... .

 BLinthedese..., Vanderbilt sounds right to me, even though our insurance won't cover anything out of network. I may have to just pay cash... Do you mind if I ask you whether Vanderbilt gave you different readings upon reviewing your slides? Was their second opinion helpful?

Letlet

Echoing what Sally wrote, Memorial Sloan-Kettering does independent review of just pathology. If you call their pathology department they will give you instructions.

Zinnia51

My second opinion is this Friday at Sloan Kettering in Commack, but it is with a Breast Surgeon.  Could another pathologist at that organization in the NYC Sloan Kettering read your slides from Beth Israel?

Good luck  

jacee

I had my original pathology slides sent to Johns Hopkins Breast Clinic for a 2nd opinion. Cost was around $250, but insurance paid. My oncologist's office filled out the paperwork I gave them, and got the process going. They came back with the same result, except a little lower percentage of ER.

BLinthedesert

Sccs -- I don't think Vanderbilt will not charge you directly.  If your insurance won't pay they might do it gratis. If you hear anything differently, let me know and I will contact some people I know there to make sure.  I have heard that Dr. Lagios (http://www.breastcancerconsultdr.com/) provides a very similar service.

For me, the pathology, unfortunately, was actually the same, if not slightly worse, since the grade and size was more accurate from Vanderbilt than the clinic in my city.  I do know the Vanderbilt folks personally, but really the reason I chose them is that they truly are experts in benign - but not exactly normal (e.g., ADH, atypical proliferating diseases, etc.) breast disease.  I was hoping that because my tumor type was rare (apocrine dcis) that it might be a mistake - and that it was actually ADH or some other benign "weird" stuff.  It wasn't - although of the nearly 5 cms worth of tissue, only a little more than 1 cm of was DCIS, it was in a very messy background.  I felt very comfortable with making my treatment decisions once I saw the 2nd opinion.   

Feel free to contact me via personal message and we can discuss further, if you would like. 

Namastete

I am in San Fran and had Kaiser send my slides to Dr Lagios, who is also in the Bay Area. It cost a bit over $600, and not covered by Kaiser. He will do remote phone consultations, but it looks like you have much cheaper options on the East Coast!

Best Wishes,

Te

SccS

Just to give an update. We sent it to Vanderbilt as was suggested above and it came agreeing with original report... Thank you people for help.

BLinthedesert

Bummer SccS, but at least you know.  Good luck to you.