Second Opinions

Since leptomeningeal cancer can progress quickly, it’s important to start treatment as soon as you can. Since there is no standard-of-care for treatment, some healthcare facilities will not be aware of or offer all possible treatments. Therefore, you may benefit by getting a second opinion from an expert who treats leptomeningeal cancer at a large cancer center. If you decide to seek a 2nd opinion, it’s important to start the process right away.

Be open with your doctor about wanting to get a 2nd opinion. Your doctor may be able to speed up the referral, direct you to the best place for your needs, and send any appropriate medical records to the receiving team.

Once you have chosen where to go for a 2nd opinion, call to set up a visit. Let them know you are looking to get in quickly. One or two second opinions are a good idea; more than this prevents you from getting started with therapy.

• Find out what records they need from you and where to send them.
• See if your current doctor can help you get your records over to the other facility.
• You may need to call your current facility’s medical records department to get your records and imaging. It is best to make sure that the images from your scans are pushed electronically or you bring a CD with you to your visit. Reports from your scans are not sufficient for the doctor to give you a proper second opinion.
• Also, before you go, confirm your insurance coverage with your new doctor.

If you can, bring someone with you to your doctors’ visits. They can be there for support as well as to listen, take notes and ask questions.

Several opinions can be overwhelming, but it is important to make a decision. With your doctor, set a “deadline” to make a decision on treatment strategy so that you can get started.