Radiation is a highly effective therapy used to treat many types of cancer, including tumors in the brain, spine, liver, lung, pancreas, kidney, and prostate. It can also treat metastatic cancers that have spread to other parts of the body.
Radiation therapy is also used to treat benign tumors such as meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, pituitary adenomas, and cavernous angiomas.
But you must be aware that radiation is a very complex treatment. That’s why if you are diagnosed with cancer and radiation therapy is recommended, you should consider getting a second opinion before starting treatment.
“I’m a huge proponent of second opinions,” says Dr. Mark Pomper, board certified radiation oncologist and medical director at the CyberKnife Center of Miami. “When you’re newly diagnosed, do your due diligence and seek out all treatment options, getting more than one opinion is recommended to make sure you’re going with the best treatment option for your particular needs.”
Even if your initial cancer treatment plan doesn’t call for radiation therapy, Dr. Pomper says it’s still wise to get a second opinion before starting treatment. Your second opinion may reveal that radiation therapy is a good option for you.
You should know, there are many different types of radiation and different ways of delivering it—both internally and externally. It’s important for patients to make sure they’re aware of all the radiation options they are a candidate for, what the potential side effects are, and that their treatment plan is tailored to their particular cancer.
For instance, some brain tumors may be treated with stereotactic radiosurgery, a precise form of high-dose radiation delivered with pinpoint accuracy.
There are many ways to deliver this type of radiation. Gamma Knife is one option; however, it entails pinning a metal headframe onto a patient’s skull to immobilize it during treatment.
An alternative, less invasive option is CyberKnife, which uses a soft mesh mask to immobilize the patient. This results in a much gentler treatment experience.
But not all cancer centers have this option available, and even if they do, they may not offer this option, and cancer patients may not learn about it unless they seek a second opinion.
Radiation may be recommended as an alternative to other treatments too. Highly targeted stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) can offer similar cure rates as surgery for some cancers, with few if any side effects.
It can also spare some prostate cancer patients from having to undergo a prostatectomy.
Bottomline, seeking a second opinion for a cancer diagnosis gives you the chance to explore all possible treatment options, whether you’re dealing with a straightforward diagnosis or something more complex.
And, even if the second oncologist’s recommendations are exactly the same, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re making the best choice.
“Where you start matters,” Dr. Pomper says. “Some cancer patients are treated incorrectly the first time, and then if their cancer recurs, their treatment options can be limited and the chance for cure is less than when they were first diagnosed.”
Approaching Your Current Physician:
Starting the conversation about a second opinion with your doctor can be awkward. But, most physicians are used to these requests, and they should welcome them, if they are offended by your request, that is a red flag.
Start by saying, “I’d like to get a second opinion to be sure I have all my bases covered.” Ask, “Where would you send a loved one for a second opinion?” That said, while you can ask your doctor for a referral, it’s better to get a second opinion from a doctor not connected to your physician.
Why Choose CyberKnife Miami for a Second Opinion?
We are among the most experienced CyberKnife teams worldwide. That’s because we were among the first in the country and the world to provide CyberKnife technology to patients.
And, because of our vast experience, our team is asked to teach other cancer centers how to use CyberKnife technology most effectively.
“At CyberKnife Miami, our goal is to get you treated most effectively, safely, and quickly, while maintaining your quality of life. We hold your hand every step of the way, making the process as easy as possible, and compassionately. We put patients first, giving them all the time they need to make the best treatment choice for their particular type of cancer,” says Dr. Pomper. “That is one of the many reasons patients come to us for a second opinion.”
If you’d like to do so, call us today at 305-279-2900 to request an appointment.