do most people do second opinion

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sunnyhou
sunnyhou Member Posts: 169

on their final path slides? I have been told by my PS, BS and oncologist there is no need to. That the diagnosis agreed with the mammo, biopsy and MRI. please let me know if you did a second opinion and if so did it change your diagnosis? and also did insurance pay for it?

thanks for reading

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  • KAR
    KAR Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2009

    I didn't choose a second opinion on the path slides but my husband got transferred and my new surgeon wouldn't operate without sending my path slides in for a second opinion.  They both agreed that I had grade 3 DCIS scattered throughout the duct.  Unless you have concern I wouldn't worry about -it like you said you have 3 different docs who agree so you should be fine.   But if you feel strongly get a second opinion.  In my case my new insurance did not pay for the second path report.  I think I probably could have fought them on that cauz surgeon ordered it but it was such a hassle and I'm tired of fighting.  (thats what they count on)  I don't recall exactly but I think the bill was $400 not cheap. 

    Good luck 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2009

    I asked my surgeon about this, since I read that you should get a second opinion. She told me that normally two pathologists are required to evaluate it all, and sure enough, when I viewed the pathology report, it was signed by two different pathologists. Of course it is your option to have someone else check it as well.

  • SJW1
    SJW1 Member Posts: 244
    edited November 2009

    I got a 2nd opinion on my original pathology and it was the same. I also got a 2nd opinion on my post surgery pathology when they told me I needed a mastectomy because I did not get clean margins. This time it mattered. The 2nd pathologist said he disagreed and I did not need any more surgery. Because he was a world renowned pathologist, I listened to him. If you want him to review your patholgy he will. His name is Dr. Michael Lagios and he has a web site and a consultation service. Check him out online.

    Best wishes,

    Sandie 

  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited November 2009

    I think the thing they recommend an second opinion on in this area of cancer is if they say atypical hyperplasia. Apparently that is more up for debate.

  • love2travel
    love2travel Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2009

    I think you are entitled to a 2nd opinion and I would push on the ins. co paying for it - find out first.  I ended up getting a 2nd & 3rd opinion on my decision to have a mastectomy for DCIS (family history of bc, dense breasts, lifestyle, and I had taken taxoxifen for 5 years as a prevention and still developed DCIS!).  I wanted the mast. vs the lump. and my first surgeon did not want me to have a lump.  She was very rude about my decision so I took my "business" to another surgeon (absolutely wonderful!) at the same hospital.  But, while I was waiting for the appts, I also spoke with a 3rd surgeon at a nearby hospital.  Since I had a mastectomy and the DCIS was just DCIS, I did not need chemo or radiation and could not take taxoxifen since I had already taken it and I am post-meno.  But, my wonderful breast surgeon who performed the surgery had me meet with an oncologist (standard procedure) and I also got a second opinion to make sure there was no additional treatment necessary.  All were in agreement on my DX, post-surgery pathology report (performed at hospital where I had surgery and also at hospital where I had 2nd opinion) and treatment.  My insurance paid for everything.  Tomorrow, I am having a prophylactic on the left side.  One less thing to worry or stress out about.  This is not an easy road to walk no matter what type of bc one has.  Get as much info as you can and 2nd opinions are part of the info process.  Sometimes they will be the same and other times they may be different. 

  • cornellalum
    cornellalum Member Posts: 191
    edited November 2009

    Get a second opinion.  My biopsy slides were wrongly read as LCIS in my left breast in July (local hospital).  A second opinion by an NCI hospital pathologist diagnosed DCIS/LCIS in October.  I had my surgery earlier this week and am waiting for a final path report.  If I hadn't gotten a second opinion, I would have gone home and waited a year for another mammogram. 

    The first reading on my MRI (again the local hospital) in October showed a mass in my right breast.  The second opinion by the NCI hospital radiologist?  No mass.

    Don't assume that everyone knows what they are doing.  If you're asking whether to get a second opinion, you are already wondering if the diagnosis is correct.  So get the second opinion, and sleep better at night.

  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited November 2009

    I'm also firmly in the need for a second opinion camp.  I live in an upscale suburbanish resort area with outstanding medical facilities and many great docs with excellent credentials.  However, what I experienced when I finally (at the urging of my sister who is in cancer research) went to an NCI-designated cancer center was a real eye-opener.  Not only did they give me a slightly different reading on my pathology, they found some glaring oversights in my other tests and care to date.  So you would never convince me that a second opinion isn't important.    Deanna

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