Dr. Deepak Vadehra interacts with a patient in clinic

Why You Need a Second Opinion

If you have a diagnosis or a suspicion of anal cancer, you need a second opinion. We will ensure you get it without delay.

We’ll obtain your scans and other medical reports, have Roswell Park’s anal cancer experts review them promptly, and set up a consultation with our team.

Many of our patients travel to receive cancer care at Roswell Park. If you live far from Roswell Park, we can help arrange what works best for you, including virtual consultations or receiving some of your care closer to home. Call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or click the button below to submit a request online.

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A second opinion can be both helpful and reassuring — it’s the best way to ensure that your initial diagnosis is accurate, that the recommended treatment strategy is right for you, and that the surgical team and other specialists have the training and experience to provide you the best possible outcome.

Why it matters for anal cancer

A game changer

At Roswell Park, our pathologists review the pathology slides and testing of every new patient. In about 11 to 18% of these secondary reviews, the diagnosis is changed, impacting your treatment options and your way forward.

An accurate diagnosis and evaluation by a multispecialty team that focuses on this complex cancer every day is important because:

  • You want to avoid surgery. Our team works diligently to provide appropriate anal cancer care that aims to avoid surgery whenever possible in order to preserve sphincter function and avoid a colostomy, which impacts quality of life.
  • Chemoradiation, the primary treatment for anal cancer, requires expert care from both medical and radiation oncologists working together to deliver this treatment simultaneously.
  • You may need treatments unavailable from other providers. Clinical trials offer access to the very latest therapeutic options, sometimes years before they become widely available.

Yes, you have time for a second opinion

We understand the urgency of a cancer diagnosis and your desire to move quickly. However, very few diagnoses require that treatment occur immediately. The fastest treatment is not always the best treatment, and you owe it to yourself to take time now to ensure your treatment plan is the right one for you. We can help.

To arrange for a second opinion, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or fill out the online form below. We’ll take care of the rest.

Make an appointment