Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Why people diagnosed with cancer should get a second opinion

Miles J. Varn, MD
Physician
June 6, 2021
Share
Tweet
Share

Although people think of medicine as a science—the facts reveal the diagnosis, the diagnosis dictates the treatment—most physicians acknowledge that medicine is as much an art as a science. It’s not like a simple math equation with one undeniably right answer. Even when the diagnosis is clear, there may still be multiple appropriate treatment paths that deliver similar outcomes. And there are many cases where the diagnosis is not definitive, especially in the case of complex diseases and many types of cancer.

That’s why a second opinion is an important tool for people who have received a cancer diagnosis. Not only can it help lower the risk of misdiagnosis or an inappropriate plan of treatment, but it’s also essential for decision making. A second opinion from a specialist who has extensive experience treating people with the type of cancer you’ve been diagnosed with can change or confirm your diagnosis.

In terms of treatment options, a second opinion is an opportunity to get a comprehensive understanding of all the appropriate possible treatments. This information can help you make a fully educated and informed decision. For example, some men diagnosed with prostate cancer can choose a path of active surveillance, delaying or avoiding surgery, which can cause significant side effects for some men. For some types of liver cancer, undergoing a biopsy to assess for genomic mutations can lead to more targeted therapy options.

A second opinion can help ensure you are receiving the most appropriate treatment from the start, which can have a tremendous impact on the outcome of your treatment. It’s difficult for any one physician to be absolutely up-to-date on new diagnostic and treatment options, clinical trials, and other information that can affect their clinical decisions. In addition, even highly regarded experts sometimes disagree on which treatment approach is most appropriate for a specific patient.

Some people who’ve been diagnosed with cancer don’t want to take the time needed to get a second opinion because they feel they must start treatment as soon as possible. For most types of cancer, however, there’s no need to rush to begin treatment immediately, and there are benefits to taking the time to seek a second opinion.

Studies support the benefits of seeking a second opinion after a cancer diagnosis

A number of studies have examined the effects of second opinions for people diagnosed with cancer and found that receiving a second opinion from an experienced specialist had a significant impact on diagnosis, treatment, or both. One study conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) found that the diagnosis was changed for 43% of women with breast cancer who were referred for a second opinion at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center with a tumor board.

In the study, the researchers compared the radiology, pathology, and genetic testing reports from the outside hospital with reports developed after the cases were reviewed by MUSC’s tumor board. Nearly 23% of the patients had additional cancers diagnosed in one of the breasts or a lymph node in the armpit. The pathology review changed in 20% of the cases. And 16% of the patients who met guidelines for genetic testing by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network had not been referred for testing that could affect which type of treatment they received or how well certain types of chemotherapy would work.

Other studies reaffirm the value of a second opinion from an experienced specialist. One study focused on PET/CT scans of people diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In 36% of the cases studied, researchers found the second opinion lead to a change in staging, which can affect the choice of treatment.

Another study focused on the effects of a second opinion from a specialist at a comprehensive cancer center on biopsies for patients with bladder cancer. In that study, biopsies were performed and read at a community hospital. When a genitourinary pathologist at a comprehensive cancer center reviewed the same group of biopsies, the review resulted in a change in pathology reading for 24.7% of the biopsies. These changes affected the grade of tumor and stage of cancer, with 15.8% of these patients receiving a different treatment recommendation. Major changes in treatment recommendations occurred for 11.8% of these patients.

And in a study of patients with orthopedic cancers, a review of MRI studies by musculoskeletal radiologists found a 22.2% rate of clinically significant difference that had the potential to change the original diagnosis between the first interpretation and the second opinion.

All of these studies, and others not cited here, suggest that whenever possible, people diagnosed with cancer should consider seeking a second opinion from a specialist who has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of the cancer they face. Seeking that second opinion has become easier in recent years, with the rise in the number of virtual second opinion programs at centers of excellence around the country. These programs provide access to top specialists without the need to travel to the center for the appointment.

Miles J. Varn is chief executive officer, PinnacleCare, and can be reached on LinkedIn.

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

The sense of powerlessness and being a cog in a wheel is now at an all-time high

June 6, 2021 Kevin 0
…
Next

Drug advertising has helped created victim politics

June 6, 2021 Kevin 1
…

Tagged as: Oncology/Hematology

Post navigation

< Previous Post
The sense of powerlessness and being a cog in a wheel is now at an all-time high
Next Post >
Drug advertising has helped created victim politics

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Miles J. Varn, MD

  • Why sharing your complete medical history with your clinicians is important

    Miles J. Varn, MD
  • Managing key risk factors may lower your dementia risk

    Miles J. Varn, MD
  • Caregiver? Learn how to support older relatives at doctor’s appointments.

    Miles J. Varn, MD

Related Posts

  • My first patient to be diagnosed with cancer

    Ton La, Jr., MD, JD
  • Hormone replacement therapy is still linked to cancer

    Martha Rosenberg
  • Advocating for people with disabilities: People First Language

    Leonard Wang
  • Pay people for their kidneys? It’s time.

    Robert Pearl, MD
  • Why this physician teaches first-year medical students 

    Mark Kelley, MD
  • We have a shot at preventing cervical cancer

    Lisa N. Abaid, MD, MPH

More in Physician

  • The man in seat 11A survived, but why don’t our patients?

    Dr. Vivek Podder
  • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

    Maureen Gibbons, MD
  • Medicalizing burnout misses the real problem

    Jessie Mahoney, MD
  • Why some doctors age gracefully—and others grow bitter

    Patrick Hudson, MD
  • The hidden incentives driving frivolous malpractice lawsuits

    Howard Smith, MD
  • Mastering medical presentations: Elevating your impact

    Harvey Castro, MD, MBA
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • When the diagnosis is personal: What my mother’s Alzheimer’s taught me about healing

      Pearl Jones, MD | Conditions
    • 2 hours to decide my future: How the SOAP residency match traps future doctors

      Nicolette V. S. Sewall, MD, MPH | Education
    • Why physician voices matter in the fight against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why being a physician mom is harder than anyone admits

      Cynthia Chen-Joea, DO, MPH | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • Bureaucracy over care: How the U.S. health care system lost its way

      Kayvan Haddadan, MD | Physician
    • Why we fear being forgotten more than death itself

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • Why recovery after illness demands dignity, not suspicion

      Trisza Leann Ray, DO | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Why physician voices matter in the fight against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The man in seat 11A survived, but why don’t our patients?

      Dr. Vivek Podder | Physician
    • Why gambling addiction is America’s next health crisis

      Safina Adatia, MD | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • How robotics are reshaping the future of vascular procedures

      David Fischel | Conditions
    • Medicalizing burnout misses the real problem

      Jessie Mahoney, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 1 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster

      Steven J. Katz, DDS | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • When the diagnosis is personal: What my mother’s Alzheimer’s taught me about healing

      Pearl Jones, MD | Conditions
    • 2 hours to decide my future: How the SOAP residency match traps future doctors

      Nicolette V. S. Sewall, MD, MPH | Education
    • Why physician voices matter in the fight against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why being a physician mom is harder than anyone admits

      Cynthia Chen-Joea, DO, MPH | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why tracking cognitive load could save doctors and patients

      Hiba Fatima Hamid | Education
    • What the world must learn from the life and death of Hind Rajab

      Saba Qaiser, RN | Conditions
    • The silent toll of ICE raids on U.S. patient care

      Carlin Lockwood | Policy
    • Bureaucracy over care: How the U.S. health care system lost its way

      Kayvan Haddadan, MD | Physician
    • Why we fear being forgotten more than death itself

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • Why recovery after illness demands dignity, not suspicion

      Trisza Leann Ray, DO | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Why physician voices matter in the fight against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The man in seat 11A survived, but why don’t our patients?

      Dr. Vivek Podder | Physician
    • Why gambling addiction is America’s next health crisis

      Safina Adatia, MD | Conditions
    • When did we start treating our lives like trauma?

      Maureen Gibbons, MD | Physician
    • How robotics are reshaping the future of vascular procedures

      David Fischel | Conditions
    • Medicalizing burnout misses the real problem

      Jessie Mahoney, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Why people diagnosed with cancer should get a second opinion
1 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...