re: second opinion on radiologist CT interpretation

Hi, I would really like to have another radiologist go over my recent abdominal CT scan. I am also thinking it may be nice if another doctor with an independent opinion'  had some more background information on me.

My question to you is if this would be a reasonable request to ask for, but also, would an expert need to be local, and would he usually be wiling, or could the test itself be sent to another larger clinic in perhaps a larger and different city, like you guys?

Briefly... I have known for several months that my IBC which was originally diagnosed as stage 3C  in June 2007 had come back. I could feel it; i could see it; i could follow it, and also I have by now some experience with how my cancer behaves.

But every one of my doctors would just tell me that they did not see anything and did not feel anything, and for a couple of months I felt totally lost and alone. Finally, after an evening when I felt the cancer pushing up my spine into my brain, i insisted on tests, and it showed that i had brain mets .

But on CT scan it did not show anything clearly cancerous even if I know it is in my lymph nodes, lung, and skin.

And although everyone once again thinks I have some nerve to question the accuracy of the test and it's interpreter, if one looks back at all the major tests, on no CT scan, MRI, Ultrasound, even by palpitation have my cancerous lymph nodes  shown up as anything but normal and unremarkable. (I had an MRI three days before surgery that told my lymph nodes were fine and they were not only cancerous but matted and sticking to nerves and in the adjacent fat tissue)
On this last CT scan, it also says that in the opinion of the radiologist the only small abnormal finding in my lungs is new scar tissue that has not been there before. I on the other hand do not believe it is scar tissue and I read on the IBC Research  Foundation site that in patients with IBC, lung mets often look like scar tissue on imaging tests.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear katarina777, Having a second opinion regarding is always an option for you.  You would want to see a medical oncologist who has a special interest in breast cancer.  These types of specialists are usually associated with large acedemic centers.  The usual procedure is to bring your scans, medical reports as well as pathology slides for review to the second opnion appointment and the oncologist would review and/or send to their pathology and radiology collegues for review.

[katarina777]

Thank you very much for your clear answer. Katrin