How long is too long to wait for 2nd surgical opinion?

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ToriGirl
ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago today. 

I have had one meeting with a general surgeon on base, but I really wanted to have another opinion.  Although I respect the first surgeon's opinion and his "Let's get in there and get it out" approach, he doesn't think a breast MRI is necessary due to so many false/positives.   

My OB/GYN has highly recommended me to another surgeon, but the earliest she can get me in is July 8th, which is just under 3 weeks away. (I was put on cancellation waiting list as well)  Waiting that long will make me 5 weeks out from diagnosis, and then finally getting a surgery date may prolong it any longer. 

During that time, the new surgeon does want me to be scheduled for an MRI breast biopsy and (correct me if I'm wrong) I think the results on that type of test does take some time to get back.  She wants those results to come with me to my appointment.

Has anyone had to wait that long in between diagnosis and surgery?

Any thoughts?

Thanks so much!

Tori

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  • coss
    coss Member Posts: 48
    edited June 2010

    Are you sure the second surgeon wants an MRI breast biopsy or an MRI to rule out any other areas of cancer that would affect surgery options?  My pre-surgery MRI results were back in 24 hrs and confirmed we could go ahead with lumpectomy. I think it's worthwhile to have it done and in cancer time, waiting a few weeks to make the right decision is okay.

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited June 2010

    Apologies..it is just a breast MRI to rule out any other areas of concern...not a breast biopsy... Thanks for catching my mistake and thanks for the reply.  :)

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  • in_cognito
    in_cognito Member Posts: 429
    edited June 2010

    Are you able to call the assistant for your second opinion and see what that surgeon's surgery schedule is like?  You can also ask how booked that surgeon is for surgery.  Just explain that you have a consult scheduled on a certain date and wanted surgery as quickly as possible.  The assistant would know the surgeon's schedule. 

    I think it makes perfect sense to do an MRI before surgery.  From what I have been reading with everyone else, an MRI seems to be standard after a positive biopsy.  An MRI also gives a clue if there are other smaller lesions or lymph node involvement.  While not 100% accurate, it paints a bigger picture.

    FWIW - I had my first lumpectomy about a month from diagnosis.  Then, a few weeks later, (this past Monday)  I had a re-excision.  I'm waiting the results on that.  So I am technically 7 weeks out from diagnosis now with 2 surgeries under my belt.  I think you have plenty of time, and for peace of mind I would get a second opinion. 

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  • NorthernGirl
    NorthernGirl Member Posts: 67
    edited June 2010

    Hi there

    my surgeon did not seem convinced that an MRI was necessary, but I had one anyway.   

    Even with that information, I still have positive margins after the second excision, so I will need more surgery. Neither the MRI nor the ultrasound were helpful. The initial IDC tumour was removed but the DCIS is much larger than they expected. Not sure why that happens, but the doc says the cells are microscopic and sometimes they show up on the MRI and sometimes they don't .

    Like In_cognito's situation, some delays happen, but it doesn't seem to cause concern.  

    My inital mammogram was Dec. 5, 2009, followed by biopsy, lumpectomy on Feb. 5, 2010, followed by tests, a second excision on April 30. Although the margins were still positive, the decision was made to start chemo immediately and delay surgery until the end of chemo. I started chemo June 4... that's almost six months after diagnosis. The oncologist said the delay was not ideal, but did not seem overly concerned about it.

    Good luck ladies

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  • sushanna1
    sushanna1 Member Posts: 764
    edited June 2010

    My biopsy was late April and I received the results on May 2 (2001). I wanted to get an opinion at a major cancer center but the earliest appointment was in June (around the 7th if my memory is correct.)  The surgery date (about June 18) wasn't much longer than the date available with my original surgeon.  In_cognito is right.  If you can, try to get a sense of when the surgery can take place.  

    I was also told that a few weeks probably would not make a difference.  However, the waiting is (was) really difficult.  I was also told that May is a really busy month at major teaching hospitals and there may be fewer appointments available.  Presumably it also makes it more difficult to get an appointment in June. I do know that one Cancer Center could not see me at all and another never returned my phone call.

    Good luck. 

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited June 2010

    Thank you so much for your input on this ladies.  I feel better keeping the appointment for the 2nd opinion.  I just think (for whatever reason) a 2nd opinion would make me feel better about this whole process.

    I appreciate all of the kind words and encouragement...

    Take care of you and God bless...

    Tori

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