Getting a Second Opinion on Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can be incredibly overwhelming for patients and their families, and it can be hard to make heads or tails of what to do next. However, there’s one important step that’s often under-looked that should be utilized by all patients who have just been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or have been diagnosed with another condition but believe they may have mesothelioma: a second opinion. Seeking a second opinion from an experienced mesothelioma specialist is an essential tool for mesothelioma patients as they explore their options and plot their way forward. A fresh perspective—especially from a mesothelioma-trained oncologist—can make all the difference for those with mesothelioma, and can both provide more diagnostic information and open doors to different treatment options, clinical trials, and other services during a patient’s mesothelioma journey. In this article, we’ll explain the importance of getting a second opinion about mesothelioma, and the many potential benefits of doing so.

What is a second opinion?

Seeking a second opinion is a common and encouraged practice in modern medicine. After receiving a serious diagnosis like mesothelioma, patients should consult a second doctor—ideally, a mesothelioma specialist—to confirm, counter, and/or add information to the original diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment recommendations.

In some cases, a second opinion will simply confirm the diagnosis and not add any additional information, but can give patients and their families peace of mind that the initial diagnosis and treatment recommendations are correct. In other cases, seeking a second opinion may add information to an existing diagnosis and perspective to a suggested plan of treatment. In still other cases, second opinions may counter the original diagnosis, helping the patient and their family course correct and make fully informed choices.

When should I seek a second opinion about mesothelioma?

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma: If you have just been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important to get a second opinion with an experienced mesothelioma specialist as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and add additional insight into potential treatments. Additionally, there is potential for a false positive misdiagnosis.

If you haven’t been diagnosed with mesothelioma, but suspect you have it: Mesothelioma is very frequently misdiagnosed at first. Since mesothelioma is a rare cancer with symptoms that are similar to other much more common cancers and related diseases, patients are frequently misdiagnosed with the more common conditions, especially if doctors do not have direct experience with mesothelioma cases. This is a significant problem for mesothelioma patients: according to a recent study, around 22.6% of pleural mesothelioma cases are initially misdiagnosed. Therefore, if you have been exposed to asbestos or believe you may have been but received a non-mesothelioma diagnosis, it’s important to ensure that you haven’t been misdiagnosed by seeking a second opinion with a mesothelioma specialist.

Importantly, the only way to accurately confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis is with a tissue biopsy. If your initial diagnosis did not include a tissue biopsy, it’s essential to seek a second opinion that includes a biopsy, ideally with a mesothelioma specialist.

Will my doctor be offended if I ask for a second opinion?

No, your doctor will not be offended if you get a second opinion, especially about something as serious and difficult to diagnose as mesothelioma. It is considered standard medical practice for mesothelioma patients to seek a second opinion. In fact, your doctor will probably encourage you to do so, and may even be able to refer you to a mesothelioma specialist.

What are the benefits of getting a second opinion about a mesothelioma diagnosis?

More information. Regardless of whether your second diagnosis confirms or conflicts with the first one, an additional consultation means more information about your condition. It may result in more accurate staging or classing of your mesothelioma, or a new diagnosis altogether. In any case, more information means you have a better understanding of your condition, which can open the door to different treatment options, improve prognosis, and increase your confidence in the path forward overall.
Access to specialists: Generally, people seeking a second opinion about mesothelioma go to a mesothelioma specialist. Specialist care can give those facing a mesothelioma diagnosis access to therapies, treatments, and approaches that non-specialists may not be familiar with, leading to improved prognosis overall.
Access to clinical trials: In addition to the other benefits of seeking a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist, they may also know of clinical trials that may greatly benefit the patient, which they otherwise would not have known about had they not sought a second opinion.
Better prognosis and chances of survival: While each individual mesothelioma case will vary, seeking a second opinion from an experienced mesothelioma specialist is generally associated with better prognoses and outcomes.

How do I get a second opinion on a mesothelioma diagnosis?

If at all possible, it’s important to get your second opinion from a mesothelioma expert or specialist. At the bare minimum, your second opinion doctor should have some recent experience with mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment.

After receiving your mesothelioma diagnosis, you can ask your doctor for a referral to a mesothelioma specialist for a second opinion. Remember: there is no reason to feel guilty about this, as it is considered very standard practice in mesothelioma cases.

Alternatively, you can conduct your own research online about mesothelioma specialists that are accessible to you. You may have the best luck at a cancer center or university hospital, which is where most major mesothelioma specialists practice. You can also ask for recommendations from people you know.

Are you or a loved one looking for more information about mesothelioma? Call (855) 385-9532 to learn more.