The Medical Directors of FindCancerExperts believe that the majority of cancer diagnoses should be reviewed and verified by a pathologist with expertise in the specific type of tumor. Even some unusual “benign” tumors deserve to be re-evaluated. Finally, there is a category of biopsies that, because of their infrequency, patient situations and difficulty in diagnosis, should always be sent for a second opinion consultation by an expert pathologist.

 

Here is a list of biopsies and clinical settings that are included in this HIGH RISK category:

 

§         Breast biopsies with diagnoses of atypical ductal hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ.

 

§         D&C’s (uterine scrapings) that are diagnosed as atypical hyperplasia, dysplasia, or borderline hyperplasia, especially on several occurrences.

 

§         Prostate biopsies that show high-grade atypia, particularly on multiple occasions.

 

§         Pigmented (dark-colored) mole or birthmark that was removed because of  suspicion of malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer). Also include skin lesions that are called borderline melanoma or atypical melanocytic hyperplasia.

 

§         Lymph node biopsies with any of the following diagnoses:

o       Atypical lymphoid hyperplasia

o       Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

o       Hodgkins Lymphoma (Hodgkins Disease)

 

§         Soft tissue or bone tumors (sarcomas).

 

§         Cancer that has spread (metastasized) but the primary site (organ in which the cancer began) cannot be determined.

 

§         Any unusual or rare kinds of cancer.

 

§         Colon biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis that show atypia or dysplasia.

§         Esophagus biopsies in patients with Barrett's esophagus that are diagnosed with high grade dysplasia.

 

§         Biopsies described in the pathology report as “worrisome”, “suspicious” or “borderline”.

 

An accurate diagnosis and classification of biopsy samples is the foundation for successful cancer treatment. This is of basis for our strong support for expert second opinions in cancer diagnosis. We also recommend that any questions or concerns you have about a pathology opinion be discussed with your personal treating doctors. This is often a good opportunity for you to request a copy of the actual pathology report.