Second Opinion
Lung cancer and other thoracic conditions can be very sensitive topics for patients to address. In many cases, when patients are given a diagnosis, they believe they need to start treatment as soon as possible. While for some patients this is true, doing research and learning more about your condition will empower you to be an active agent for your health and well-being. Depending on a doctor’s experience and area of expertise, different treatments are recommended, and learning about all of them will help you to make the most informed decision possible.
It is always advisable to speak with another doctor in addition to the one who provided your diagnosis, to both get a second opinion on your diagnosis, as well as to learn about the different treatment options available. Learning as much as possible about different options enables you to decide your path of treatment. If the second opinion is the same as the first, it will increase your comfort with and confidence in following the advised treatment plan.
Our Experience
At Thoracic Group, we have been performing minimally invasive video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), a surgical approach we pioneered, since the early 1990s. If you have been told that your surgery cannot be performed with a minimally invasive approach, you should schedule a consultation to discuss your options with us. Using our vast experience in treating thoracic conditions, with only a 1% rate of converting to an open thoracotomy during procedures, we can accurately identify if your condition can be treated with VATS. Minimally invasive procedures like VATS allow for:
- Faster recovery time
- Shorter time in the hospital
- Smaller incisions, meaning less injury to surrounding tissues
- Smaller scars
If you have been diagnosed with a thoracic condition and are interested in learning more about what options are available, fill out an appointment request or contact our office.
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