Hi Gracie,

Second opinions are a really good idea.

My husband has had myriad problems with doctors' missteps during the DX process of a lymph node BX. This included poorly planned testing, inappropriate TX planning, basing DX and TX on a scan, basing DX on HPV status. The absense of an identifiable tumor further complicated the process. We sought a 2nd opinion from a Comprehensive Cancer Center. They diagnosed him with a Branchial Cleft Cyst which is congenital and benign but often mimics SCC HN.

Surgeons often have a feeling about the absence or presence of cancer. But, only a pathologist can tell for sure...and sometimes they are wrong if they aren't cancer specialists (as might be the case with my husband.) CCC pathologists are more experienced with DX'ing cancer than perhaps those at a regional hospital. Also, in my husband's case, if the path had received an SCC tumor to look at, the DX would have been much easier and probably definitive.

Good luck!

Sandy