Second opinion

[alb572]

This is not a question; just wanted to share my experience, so maybe it will help someone later.
I was diagnosed with HCV in June, 2010. In Aug I had my biopsy done. The biopsy pathology report made in local hospital (pretty rural area with only GI doctor available) came back: stage 2, grade 2.

I decided to get a second opinion and went to see a specialist in the field of Hepatology at big school medical center.  Judging by the thoroughness and professionalism with which the abdominal ultrasound was done at the university medical center, I thought it would be a good idea to get their opinion on the biopsy slides. I requested my local hospital to send biopsy sample slides to the univ. medical center. The report came back stating: stage 1, grade 1. The same hepa doc who advised me to start the treatment based on the local hospital biopsy report (S2, G2) after getting a new report said that there is no rush to get treated and I should wait. He told me I should come see him in 5 years. I'm not going to wait that long, but that is not the point.

The moral of the story is, if you just been diagnosed and have to make a major decision based on your blood work/ biopsy report and what your family doc/GI doctor is recommending please don't rush. Get a second opinion from other qualified doctor. Some of the docs at the local hospitals and GI docs know much less about HCV than hepatologists and people on this forum. It is based on reading posts from this forum I have learned the most about HCV and that it is a good idea to see a specialist at the major univ. medical center especially if you live in a rural area with no liver specialists available.

Anyways, hope it will help someone.

[Kristina538]

I agree with copyman;  my bopsy was interpreted slightly differently by 3 hepatologists, and it is a matter to some degree of interpretation.   Stage 1 and 2 by anyone's interpretation is better than 3 or 4.

[copyman]

pathologists are human. every one will interpret slides differently. if you had them read by a third person they may be stage 3/3. At this point about all you can be sure of is you dont have cirrhosis.

[pcds]

Your experience is an excellent example for all.  It happened to me. I rushed into tx, I should have waited.  I knew nothing about HCV and learned everything from this site while I was in unsuccessful tx for 3 months.  Now I'm told I have stage 1 grade 1 from another opinion.  I should have been advised to wait for the new tx initially.  Those 3 months took a huge toll and no success, so it was for nothing.  If there were no options on the horizon then treat with what there is now, or if your liver is so bad you must start immediately.  Otherwise it is best to wait.  These drugs are bad to you body.  48 weeks is a tough road with poor success rate.  I can do 24 weeks.  I could do 12 weeks even better.  Wouldn't that be nice?    I won't wait that long.

[EyesofBlue55]

This is basically what happened to me recently.Except for the different stage and grade thing.My gastro Dr was trying to rush me into tx-saying that it was a piece of cake.Thank God for this forum-went to a hepatologist and he did more extensive testing and told me that I was in pretty good shape and I could wait for the new txs.My hep dr is a teaching dr and director for the liver center here in Atlanta.He should know!!!!!I feel better knowing when I do treat Ive got one of the best !!!

[missy_jasons_girl]

I have to agree, this place and these people are full of knowledge.. I don't know what I would've done without this forum!!