Second opinion?

AmyD1310
AmyD1310 Member Posts: 59
in Anal Cancer #1

Hey all!

I'm back again. One more question...did any of you get a second opinion after your dx? Would it be beneficial in any way? I don't want to delay getting treatment, but a friend who survived triple negative breast cancer suggested it. Thoughts?

 

-Amy

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Amy

    I did not seek a second opinion.  However, my colorectal doctor was very familiar with anal cancer--its diagnosis and treatment.  She referred me to the most wonderful medical oncologist and he referred me to the most wonderful radiation oncologist.  I guess I got very lucky.  You may want to ask your doctors how many cases of anal cancer they have seen/treated.  I would highly recommend going to the website for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and registering so that you can have access to the latest treatment protocol for anal cancer.  If you familiarize yourself with those guidelines, then you will know if your doctors are following protocol.  The treatment for anal cancer is pretty straightforward and since you are Stage 1, the guidelines should be followed if there are no other health issues that complicate things.  You must have confidence in your doctors--I believe that is of utmost importance, so educate yourself with those guidelines.

  • tanda
    tanda Member Posts: 174 Member
    #3
    Amy

    I agree with everything Martha has said. I would ask your team how many cases of a,c., they have treated. I might also find out if they will be using IMRT radiation.

    My initial reaction after receiving the diagnosis was to get a slide review of the pathology and go for a second opinion!  After reading the NCCN  Guidelines and doing some research in the medical literature, Cancer sites and patient sites, I realized that treatments for early stages were the same for everyone,everywhere.  So, in the end, I stayed  with my initial consulting group.  I did, however, convince my medical oncologist to let me have Xoloda (capecetebine) the pill form of 5-FU.  I had several pills a day, 5 days a week concurrent with radiation.  This is one of the protocols in the guidelines and is not as widely used as others; had read that Sloan Kettering  was using the pills and found less toxicity.  I don't think there is a final consensus on which is best,

    I would try to make sure that you will be getting IMRT radiation.

    By the way, where are you located, and where are you planning to be treated.

    The good news is that , unlike most cancers, the treatment is only 5-6 weeks ,a few weeks of recovery, and then healing begins fairly soon. There is alot of support on this site and on blogforthecure.org.  You will get through it. Ask questions and seek explanations(from drs. nurses,etc) so that you become familiar with this cancer and its treatments.

    Keep us posted...holding you in my thoughts

  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow Member Posts: 600 Member
    edited January 2017 #4
    Second opinion

    i did get one and I'm I glad I did.  I paid 1100.00 to go to city of hope and they laid out the treatment plan.  My provider tried to short me on the second round of mitomyciN. I insisted on having it.  

  • lab guy
    lab guy Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2017 #5
    Amy

    I concur with Martha. Experience, I believe, is the most important part of the treatment. Steve

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #6
    Amy

    Hello, I had a 2nd opinion with a well know colorectal dr at a teaching hospital.  My aunt recommended him to me and I am glad I did. 

    I was in denial of having cancer and wanted anyway out of it.  Well the dr confirmed that yes indeed I had cancer and agreed with the tx protocal I was given by my oncologist.

    Lori

     

  • jimdanabree
    jimdanabree Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2017 #7
    Amy

    I was refferred to a surgeon and he did a biopsy on me. 

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