Looking for a second opinion.

[no_hypocrisy]

My friend's mother has been diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma in her lungs, brain, and liver. She is 70 and mostly asymptomatic.

My friend is concerned. When the films were first read, the diagnosis was "stroke" until the physician heard that her mother was treated in the past for melanoma and then changed the diagnosis.

Her mother was deemed free of cancer three years after the melanoma forced her to undergo a partial amputation of her toe.

There are also issues of reaction to blood pressure medication and candida.

Where in the world can my friend go with her mother to get a second opinion. She went the Cancer Care Treatment Center in Philly and they wouldn't even look at her present and past films (CAT, MRI, PET). They just looked at the reports and confirmed the reports. We are looking for an independent analysis of the films and a look to see if it's actually cancer.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you as always.

[elleng]

1. Don't know, really.

Who 'diagnosed' her? Stage IV? Asymptomatic? Too many questions.
Any 'teaching hospitals' around, where she might find a 'g.p.,' 'family medicine' doc, head of department? Or head of an oncology department, ANY hospital?

Best of luck to her.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. First physician who diagnosed the stroke was a neurologist.

When her past medical history of melanoma was raised, an oncologist was called and without more tests, he diagnosed Stage IV. Same films that showed a "stroke" was now cancer.

Which diagnosis can be conclusive?

[elleng]

3. Neither, imo, but I'm a lawyer!

So I suggest a completely new diagnosis, from 'honored' specialist, like head of a department.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Me too. I see potential for med mal here but I'm concentrating on getting

my friend's mother help, not litigation.

[elleng]

5. I agree; most important to get her on road to treatment and recovery,

in spite of what appear to be inconsistent diagnoses.