second opinion for pathology report

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wendymk2016
wendymk2016 Member Posts: 63

hi ladies.

I am considering to have a second opinion regarding my pathology report from a different hospital.

Just one question. I am wondering if I can ask my current hospital to release my tissue slides to me. So I will bring those tissue to wherever hospital to do the check. Because one of my friends told me sometimes tissue got lost during transmission. It will be safer to have it with you. How do u think?

if someone does this before,any specific way I need to preserve my slides?

thanks a lot!

wendy

Comments

  • nye1980
    nye1980 Member Posts: 69
    edited November 2016

    I am not being treated in the States so not exactly sure how this works elsewhere, but I was able to get my slides from the hospital where I had surgery to take to where I was getting a second opinion. And then I returned the slides back to the hospital after.

  • rosannadana
    rosannadana Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2016

    Wendymk,

    When I got my second opinion I was a bit overwhelmed with all the info that the 2nd opinion hospital wanted. So I spoke with my nurse navigator (nurse in hospital who works with breast surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist) who said she would take care of everything! She requested the pathology slides be sent to the 2nd opinion hospital, and collected and faxed all the other info too, with the exception of the films from mammo and ultrasound, which the 2nd opinion hospital requested I hand-carry on a CD. It all worked very smoothly, unlike most of this journey!

  • Crittcuddler
    Crittcuddler Member Posts: 14
    edited December 2016

    May I ask what factors would make someone want to get a second opinion?

    Just to be safe?

  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited December 2016

    To crittcudler and abbylinc: Second opinions are oftentimes a good idea even if you're completely happy with your doctor. It's not "mostly if you are getting differing results on your scans", etc. Most times, it's advocated that a person get at least one second opinion. It's a wise move to ensure that more than one doctor come to the same conclusion or if not--discovering why their opinions differ. Because a cancer diagnosis can mean long-term health consequences or even death, just making sure you have all the information is wise. Most people shop around before making a big purchase, why wouldn't you shop around before committing to someone who will be treating you for a potentially deadly disease?

  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited December 2016

    Been through this 3 times as myself, my mom and sister all diagnosed within 3 years.

    When transferring records and slides from one hospital to another, I always physically picked up the slides

    from hospital #1 and drove them to the contact person at hospital #2. They were going to FedEx them,

    but it was 60 miles away, and I felt more comfortable driving them.

    Second opinions are always good in my book!

  • wendymk2016
    wendymk2016 Member Posts: 63
    edited December 2016

    Thanks for all the input!

    I had done with meeting all the MOs. I altogether met three MOs, and I also have my PATH report redo in a different hospital. Lucky not too much difference in the two reports. Also all three MOs comes back with almost same opinions.

    I highly recommend have second facility redo PATH. Because I know one of my friends, her first PATH report shows 4 microinvasion whereas when she send her slides for second facility, they found 14 microinvasions. This changes her treatment plan. So, to be cautious rather than sorry later.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2016

    Critcuddler, I always get second opinions on all dramatic and serious dxes for myself. We are our own best health advocates when it comes to disease and recovery, and I don't trust just one opinion (unless it's an expert MD/scientist whose life and research has been dedicated to that particular dx and treatment).

    Second, and third, opinions are our safety net before we move forward with important treatment decisions for ourselves.

    Claire

  • candles1
    candles1 Member Posts: 77
    edited January 2017

    Has anybody had to pay for a second pathology opinion out of pocket? What does that type of review cost?

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited January 2017

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