Second Opinion

How do we find best pathology specialist to get second opinion on biopsy? Are these usually covered by HMOs?

With slides I assume location does not matter.

thanks,
Ninel

There are a number of expert pathologists: for example the slides could be sent to Johns Hopkins.

I do not know about cost details.

Best wishes...anyway, 2nd opinion...this is not rocket science....the cell shape, similarity to healthy cells and its ability to "look like" others was likely known by the person whom took the biopsy...when they make up the slides..they usually know what they are looking at...just like comparing an apple to a banana...so likely no mistake at this stage is/was likely....my situation, Jan 07, had rp/nns, slight intrusion of 1 vesicle, all 29 lymphs clean, 7 of 12 gleasons of 5-7....psa stays at "undetectable", age 62 at rp,...never be cocky with ca...hopefully, all your situation will work out well and you'll have a great life....

Hi Ninel - we are new to this.  My husband was diagnosed about 1 month ago.  We got on here and found several posts about the importance of a second opinion on biopsies since there can be some subjectivity when reading them.  Anyway, several times the name Jonathon Epstein came up as the top urological pathologist.  He is at Hopkins.  We are in Maryland, so, of course, Hopkins is in our backyard so to speak.  Our doctor sent the slides over and Dr. Epstein called us in a couple of days with his interpretation.  It did vary slightly from the first report we got and Dr. Epstein gave us a bit more information too.  If you google him, you'll see he is quite accomplished in this field.  We have also switched over to the top urologist there to do the surgery.  Here is the contact info for you.  His assistant is Roger - He is fabulous!!  He tracked down the slides for us when they were enroute, etc.   He is really nice and attentive.   If your insurance does not cover it by some chance, I think the cost is about $150.00 - $200.00.  I would think that is well worth it!  My father whom I lost last year to esophageal cancer was first misdiagnosed by the pathologist who deemed his biopsies as curable thyroid cancer - we then had Hopkins pathologists read them and it was deemed esophageal which is of course an aggressive, killer cancer.  good luck - I pray your all goes well. 

Pathology Contact – Dr. Epstein’s assistant

Roger – 410-614-6330

 

Pathologist:

Dr. Jonathan Epstein

The Johns Hopkins Hospital

401 N. Broadway

The Weinberg building

Baltimore, MD  21231

410-955-0115

Fax 410-9550115

jepstein@jhmi.edu