Second opinion needed. How do we go about getting one? Mom diagnosed with terminal cancer.?

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Blackgold347

Second opinion needed. How do we go about getting one? Mom diagnosed with terminal cancer.?

I have electronic copy of reports. Doctors at current hospital refuse to treat her for fear that treatment will cause her already reduced functioning kidneys to fail. They have recommended Hospice care. Tumor is the size of a basketball.

Any support/information regarding Hospice, second opinion, etc is greatly appreciated.
Additional Details
They feel that surgery is not an option because they are not confident that they can control bleeding and fear that she will hemorrhage to death.

GAYANA A

get as many opinions as you can!!! see other doctors! you never know trust me!

;)

Is your mom lucid at this point? This is her decision. If she wants a second opinion then go to a local family practitioner and ask for a referral to another doctor. If she wants an alternative practitioner because the local doctors have "given up" then call some chiropractors in your area for a referral to a good one there. But when all is said and done, this is Mom's decision, not yours. She needs to make these choices.

Emma M

what about asking your general practitioner or family doctor to suggest someone or maybe try a private clinc maybe expensive but will be seen asap

quijibored

It would help to know what type and stage cancer she has and what state she is located in. Also whether or not she has good health insurance.

For example - if she lives in Texas and has lymphoma I'd call the lymphoma clinic at MD Anderson and see about getting a second opinion at a top of the line hospital. If she was in Illinois, I'd go to Northwestern, in California go to Stanford or City of Hope or UCLA. Pick the largest major cancer center in her area and see about getting her a second opinion. This might mean a review of her current medical records or physically transferring her to the other hospital for further testing.

Make sure and only get referrals to top level hospitals. You only want referrals for realistic treatment options and not just anywhere willing to do needless surgery. Sometimes the Drs are right about there being no other options. sorry

The National Institutes of Health is running clinical trials for metastatic melanoma and has had some very impressive results in small numbers of patients. The Dr running these successful trials is Dr Steven Rosenberg. Here is an article on the trials.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/09/01/MNGBLKTIDK1.DTL

Here is a link for all of the NIH clinical trials for melanoma. Look into the the trials run by Dr Rosenberg.

http://www.cancer.gov/search/ResultsClinicalTrials.aspx?protocolsearchid=3467801

good luck to your mom

hospice info
http://www.hospicenet.org/html/preparing_for.html

good luck to you both

dtwladyhawk

Did they do a biopsy? On the tumor? That is the only way to diagnose it specifically. Find a surgeon willing to put her on dialysis while removing the tumor.

Shari

I'm sorry to hear this. My Mother was just put on hospice also. It's a very hard thing to do. They are located all over. Call your local one. Just started hers last week. All I know is that they will work with your Mother as well as the family to get through this. I'll pray for your Mother and your family to get through this. God Bless.

barthebear

There are specialists in each type of cancer but I do not see you listed what kind she has so dont know where to refer you. You can get second opinion from MD Anderson, Mayo Clinic or NIH but usually they want to see the patient and Im not sure she can travel? Is there a University hospital nearby you? The fact that you used plural (" Doctors at current hospital refuse to treat her') tells me that you already have a second opinion since there is more than one Doctor on the case.
Yes hospice is helpful since they take care of pain medicine for you as well as any equipment she may need. They only take patients that are thought to have 6 months to live . That doesnt mean she will for sure only have 6 months but it is a round number of where they begin taking care. I think you will be glad if you call them. I am sorry

Panda

First, what does your mother want to do? Does she want to fight this disease? If she does than go ahead with a second opinon. Usually the oncologist will cooperate.

You need to ask for copies of all her medical records, including recent CT/PET scan from both the hospital and her oncologist. Explain that you want a second opinion. Usually this information can be placed on a CD and sent to another doctor for a review (so your Mom won't need to even go .

The National Cancer Institute has about 60 or more designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. You can contact them seeking a second opinion:

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html

Seond Opinon Institutions
http://www.blochcancer.org/articles/xtrnew.asp

You do not say what type of cancer that your mother has or if the tumor has metastasized. Age and overall health may factor into why the doctors recommend hospice for her. Keep in mind that your mother can still receive palliative care when in hospice and if her overall health improves than the doctors might reconsider treatment.

Stay strong and best wishes during this difficult period.

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