Why Is a Second Opinion for a Mesothelioma Diagnosis Important?
A second opinion with a mesothelioma specialist is essential because malignant mesothelioma is so rare that most doctors and oncologists haven’t seen a case and may fail to recognize it. Mesothelioma can be challenging to diagnose and stage accurately.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to many other diseases affecting the lungs, heart and abdominal organs, making misdiagnosis common. A tissue biopsy is the only way to get an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis. If you were given a diagnosis of mesothelioma without a biopsy or were diagnosed with another disease but suspect mesothelioma, consider seeking a second opinion from a specialist.
Asbestos is the primary cause of malignant mesothelioma. This rare cancer primarily affects the pleura and peritoneum, the thin layers of tissue that cover the lungs and line the abdomen. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure who experiences signs or symptoms of mesothelioma should seek a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist.
It’s important for us all to be our own patient advocates. If that means taking steps to get a second opinion, by all means, get your second opinion. The initial doctor who told me I had peritoneal mesothelioma was the OB-GYN who delivered my son Caleb. Cancer wasn’t his specialty, therefore he referred me to an oncologist.
How Do I Get a Mesothelioma Second Opinion?
Request a referral from your doctor to see a mesothelioma specialist and get a second opinion. You can also ask people you know for recommendations of specialists they trust. Contacting your health insurance provider can also help you find in-network mesothelioma doctors.
Getting an accurate diagnosis can be very challenging when it comes to mesothelioma. Since it’s so rare it’s hard to find doctors with experience diagnosing it. When patients with a history of asbestos exposure contact us with a pleural effusion or a lung cancer diagnosis, we encourage them to get a second opinion.
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has a team of Patient Advocates with experience connecting mesothelioma patients with specialists in their area. Patient Advocates can also help patients and their families obtain assistance coping with mesothelioma.
Working With a Patient Advocate to Get a Second Opinion
The Medical Outreach Team at The Mesothelioma Center has streamlined the process of obtaining a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist. Our relationships and partnerships with Centers of Excellence and doctors who have extensive knowledge of mesothelioma mean we can help you with registration, record transfers and scheduling the initial consultation appointment.
After gathering information about your interests, our team can suggest experts based on the type of diagnosis, your insurance and your preferred location. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all suggestions, Patient Advocates can offer high-level suggestions based on each patient’s unique needs.
People We Help Get Second Opinions
- Individuals who disagree with their initial diagnosis
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Patients whose first opinion wasn’t with a mesothelioma specialist who want an expert’s opinion
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People who disagree with the advice they were given
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Those looking to confirm treatment offered is what a mesothelioma specialist would recommend for them
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Patients seeking a clinical trial
“Patients often ask us what they can expect when getting a second opinion,” Medical Outreach Director Missy Miller adds. “If your pathology report, for example, doesn’t indicate mesothelioma, but you suspect that’s your correct diagnosis, a mesothelioma specialist can have the tissue from your biopsy sent to another pathology lab for further evaluation. Experts have labs they work with that understand the markers to look for to identify mesothelioma and your cell type.”
We can also arrange second opinions about treatment options to improve your prognosis. The specialists we recommend are heavily vetted and will confer with experts in various mesothelioma treatment approaches to develop a multidisciplinary treatment plan.
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Mesothelioma Second Opinions Before Surgery
Getting a second opinion before surgery or starting other treatments is essential to help you weigh the best options for your needs and preferences. Discuss your options with your mesothelioma specialist to decide what suits you and your family.
When patients reach out to us for help with getting a second opinion, it’s often to find a mesothelioma specialist to discuss treatment. Sometimes patients’ medical teams inform them that they’re not familiar with mesothelioma. Patients want to learn about all of the options open to them.
You can discuss recommendations for the latest, most effective treatments during a second opinion with a mesothelioma specialist. You may be able to enroll in a clinical trial testing new treatments. Seeking an expert second opinion can help give you peace of mind that you’ve explored all your best options.
Cost of a Mesothelioma Second Opinion
The cost of getting a second opinion can be high. Mesothelioma statistics make the benefits clear, however. A 2021 study showed that a pathology second opinion changed the diagnosis in 14% of cases. Another recent small study found that a second opinion led to a new diagnosis in 43% of patients.
Second Opinion Costs
- Second opinion costs can range from $200 to $1,500 or more.
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Costs can include in-person or remote consultation with a specialist.
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Testing biopsy samples for your pathology report also adds to overall costs.
The cost of cancer treatment can be very high. Up to 62% of cancer survivors go into debt paying for cancer treatments. Annual out-of-pocket expenses can be as high as $15,000 for a single cancer drug. You should ensure you get the most effective treatment for your circumstances.
Who Pays for a Mesothelioma Second Opinion?
Some health insurance plans cover the cost of a second opinion. Medicare Part B covers 80% of the Medicare-approved amount, including laboratory tests. With some insurance plans, however, you may be responsible for some or all of the cost of getting a second opinion.
The Patient Advocates at The Mesothelioma Center help mesothelioma patients and their families address financial need issues. They can help people find health insurance coverage, assist with financial planning and offer other family resources.
This Page Contains 10 Cited Articles
The sources on all content featured in The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com include medical and scientific studies, peer-reviewed studies and other research documents from reputable organizations.
- Lipitz-Snyderman, A. et al. (2023, February 3). Clinical value of second opinions in oncology: A retrospective review of changes in diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cam4.5598
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Dusetzina, S.B. (2022, June 9). Your Money or Your Life — The High Cost of Cancer Drugs under Medicare Part D. Retrieved from https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2202726
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Chow, R.D., Bradley, E.H. & Gross, C.P. (2022, May 27). Comparison of Cancer-Related Spending and Mortality Rates in the US vs 21 High-Income Countries. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2792761
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Greenfield, G. et al. (2021, September 24). Patient-Initiated Second Medical Consultations—Patient Characteristics and Motivating Factors, Impact on Care and Satisfaction: A Systematic Review. Retrieved from https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e044033
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Johnson, S.M. et al. (2021, September 8). Clinical and Financial Implications of Second-Opinion Surgical Pathology Review. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/ajcp/article/156/4/559/6189095
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Burger, P.M., Westerink, J., & Vrijsen, B.E.L. (2020, July 9). Outcomes of Second Opinions in General Internal Medicine. Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0236048
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Katella, K. (2020, January 15). Can a Second Opinion Make a Difference? Retrieved from https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/second-opinions
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Van Such, M. et al. (2017, August). Extent of Diagnostic Agreement Among Medical Referrals. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jep.12747
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Payne, V.L. et al. (2014, May). Patient-Initiated Second Opinions: Systematic Review of Characteristics and Impact on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Satisfaction. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025619614002456
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Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Second Surgical Opinions. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/second-surgical-opinions
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Current Version
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July 8, 2024
Written By
Karen Selby, RN
Edited By
Walter Pacheco
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