Who Should Get a Second Opinion?

Although the specific situations in which a second opinion is most useful have not been defined, there are clearly situations where a second opinion would be helpful and most patients would benefit. These may include:

• A poorly understood or communicated diagnosis
• An initial diagnosis by a non-cancer specialist
• A diagnosis by a cancer sub-specialist
• Apparent lack of treatment options
• A treatment plan that involves a clinical trial
• Rare cancers
• A treatment plant that involves surgery as primary treatment
• A diagnosis that has been made at a small or rural hospital
• A treatment plan that involves aggressive treatment
• A treatment plan that involves specialized treatment