Questions you may want answered during your MD visit before agreeing to any surgery or treatments are the following:
Do you (or your group) operate or manage a large number of melanoma patients?
Will you personally be managing my care or will I be followed by residents / fellows ? (Post-graduate MD’s in training)
If you do not have a large experience in melanoma patients, whom do you recommend (or what center) will you send me to?
Are there any alternative surgeries / medical treatments that could be considered besides the one you are offering or suggesting ? (i.e. – what is YOUR rationale for what you are doing)
Should I consider getting a 2nd opinion if the surgery / treatment is complex or controversial?
Possible Outcomes from 3rd Doctor Visit
Agreement on treatment and plan for YOUR therapy Go and have a really nice dinner – then “just do it!” Disagree on treatment and plan Ask about 2nd opinions Ask first from YOUR physician Other resources Other major melanoma centers www.mpip.org (post your concerns)
Finally
This is not an all inclusive method for determining YOUR stage of melanoma or the ‘right’ treatment. However, this information is can be helpful for the newly diagnosed (“now what”) patient. The hope is that by giving the overwhelmed and frightened melanoma patient an approach to finding information about their disease and treatment options, they will become an empowered and active participant in their diagnosis and treatment.
Special thanks to Gertude Stein for this Summary.
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