Getting a Second Opinion

What is a second opinion?

A second opinion is when you ask another doctor to review your diagnosis or treatment plan. You can get a second opinion for any reason, such as:

• You want to know every possible choice for treatment, including clinical trials that might not be available at your treatment center
• Your doctor doesn’t know what’s wrong with you
• Your diagnosis is unusual
• Your doctor doesn’t specialize in your type of kidney cancer
• You find it hard to talk to your doctor
• Your treatment center doesn’t have a multidisciplinary care team review patient cases

How to ask for a second opinion

Most doctors welcome a second opinion. However, some people may feel uncomfortable telling their doctor they want to get a second opinion. Here are some ways to start the conversation:

• “I want to make sure we don’t miss anything important, so I’d like to speak to another doctor.”
• “I’ve heard that second opinions can be helpful. Do you know another doctor who could help me?
• “Would it be all right if we contacted another doctor for a second opinion?”
• “Who would you contact if you had my kind of cancer?”

If possible, get one

If you want a second opinion, take the time to get one. Even if your health problem is serious, there is usually time to get that second opinion:

• Find out if your health insurance plan will pay for a second opinion.
• Your doctor or your insurance company can give you recommendations for specialists or use KCA’s Treatment Center Finder to search for a kidney cancer doctor in your area.
• Make sure you get copies of your medical records to share with other doctors.

What to prepare

Be ready to give the new doctor:

• Imaging reports and a CD with the images, if available
• A copy of your pathology report from any biopsy or surgery
• If you had surgery, a copy of your operative report (summary of the surgery)
• If you were in the hospital, a copy of the discharge summary that every doctor prepares when patients are sent home
• A summary of your doctor’s recommended (if you have not started treatment) or current treatment plan
• A list of all your medicines, their doses, and when you take them

After the second opinion

If the second doctor agrees with the first, you can feel more confident that this is the best treatment plan for you. If the second opinion is different from the first, these are some things you can do:

• Make an appointment with your first doctor to talk about the second opinion.
• Ask both doctors to explain how they arrived at their treatment plan.
• Ask them how they interpreted your test results.
• Ask what research studies or professional guidelines they consulted. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and National Cancer Institute have the most current guidelines available for several cancer types.
• Ask what they have recommended to other patients in your same situation.
• Ask if it is possible for the 2 doctors to review your case together.