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The Power of A Second Opinion

The Power of A Second Opinion by Dr. Nancy Palermo Lietz, MD Caroline was a healthy 46 year old diagnosed with breast carcinoma in situ following a radiology biopsy done after an abnormal mammogram. As with many women, she was eager to proceed with treatment and was quickly referred to a surgeon through her primary care with no forethought or research on treatment options.  She was quickly scheduled for a lumpectomy and node biopsy only to find out a month later that the cancer was more advanced and she would require further surgery and treatment. A review of the pathology from the first surgery confirmed an invasive high-grade cancer that would have been better treated with mastectomy, chemotherapy and postoperative radiation. Performing the incorrect surgery only...