Should I seek a Second Opinion?

Ditto to everyone's advice - get a second opinion about your concerns from pathology and cystos, as well as the treatment protocol.

Ross

I was treated at the Univ of Penn in Phila and Dr.Schoenberg did his resdency under my surgeon Dr. Malkowicz and my surgeon Bruce said what a great guy Mark is, all these bigger urologists know eachother and get along but this is no coinadence of how many good Dr's come out of the Univ of Penn. I liked my surgeon right off the get go not does he make you feel at ease and answer all your questions he is just so down to earth. Besides being born there my ties go way back my Dad was a Vetenarian at the Univ of Penn Vet School. But these are the types of hospitals you want to be treated at these guys are tops in their fields. I just find it interesting where these Dr's did their resdencies and how they got started. Best of Luck and seek that second opinion, Joe

Hi young mom...absolutely seek another opinion..since there seem to be so many recurs and no treatment recommeded I would definately seek another opinion. I see you are in Maryland....how far are you from Johns Hopkins. Here is a link to Dr. Mark Schoenberg who also has an email link and i know from experience he will answer you. He provided me with invaluable information and was very generous in giving me names of other specialists other than himself. He's absoluely tops in the field.
urology.jhu.edu/markschoenberg/index.php
Pat

I think that as soon as you read this post, you should stop whatever else you are doing, and look for a Top Cancer Hospital in your area for a second opinion. Preferably with a Top Uro-oncologist. This is not just an annoying bladder infection that won't go away...this is cancer...I am sure that your Uro is a nice guy who makes you feel comfortable, but even he, if faced with this disease would ask colleagues for their second opinions...Don't just accept the status ...find out what the Top Cancer Specialists are doing to treat your cancer, whether it is superficial or more life threatening...Put a value on yourself...I know that your family considers you irreplaceable...you should treat yourself that way, and get the best medical advice you have access to.

Just My Opinion,
Karen

I just found this forum and have been reading the posts. I was diagnosed in August at the age of 37 and had surgery to remove the tumors. Pathology came back that it was superficial, non-invasive and low-grade, but have never heard any official "staging." I have had two recurrences and three surgeries (including the first) in seven months. On the last cystoscopy my urologist found another tumor and a "bumpy area." To my knowledge, there was nothing done about the bumpy area. I have been wondering if I should seek a second opinion at a large teaching hospital. My urologist and diagnosing hospital are not in a large metropolitan area. There has been no discussion of chemotherapy or anything else. I am disheartened that it keeps coming back!!!