Second Opinions Are Critical - Even on a Pathology Report

A week ago today, I met with my oncologist to review the path report from my November 28 radical hysterectomy. At that time I was told I had mixed Grade 3 undifferentiated and neuroendocrine cancers. I posted about the neuroendocrine part the same day but, like me, virtually no one had heard about it as it only occurs in 150-200 women in the US each year. The oncologist was calling around, surveying her colleagues about what chemo regimen to start -- one directed at the 'regular' or one at the neuroendocrine. If possible, my panic and fear had ramped up further with this new twist. Long story short, a friend urged me to request a second pathology report, not to be confused with a second treatment opinion. I did so, and spent all day Thursday and part of Friday picking up slides from my hospital and having them couriered to Cedars-Siani for their own review. I was at the onc's again yesterday, having the last of my staples out, when the call came in from Cedars: their do not believe it's neuroendocrine, rather, it's endometrial cancer with neuroendocrine features. Even the onc was surprised about that [which begs the question as to why she didn't make the request herself, but I digress]. With the course of one phone call, my diagnosis and treatment plan changed and I've been given a bit more hope. I've requested a third opinion as a tie-breaker but am pretty confident that the 3 pathologists from Cedars knew what they're doing as they're specialized, vs. our local 'generic' hospital pathology lab.

Others have posted here about the need for second, or even third, opinions. I understood that to apply to doctors but never thought about a pathology report. I wanted to share that experience with you, and hope someone may find it helpful. I certainly bless my friend for suggesting it to me.