In another thread this post was made by Brian and rather going off topic this new one addresses the specific issue.

[quote=Brian Hill]
........
Getting to the physicist will be tough, and they routinely do not interact with patients. Not their job, and also they likely do not have any kind of tracking or reporting system to gather data.

So when a a doctor tells you that 80 percent of their patients have no dry mouth issues or whatever, I think they are pulling that number out of their rear ends� at best it is a gut idea, and anecdotal information. [/quote]

Well, this is a bit disconcerting to say the least as one wonders how these professionals gauge their own effectiveness over time and make adjustments to their understanding and techniques to achieve improved QOL and survivability.

Increasing my awareness of the critical nature of the radiation plan and work done by the "Wizard" behind the scene has initiated a new mission to obtain/extract a "second opinion" on the physicist's calcs and mapping plan.

Given others have far more experience with requesting and getting second opinions, how unusual a request is it to ask for a second this deep into an existing treatment plan?

My impression the great majority of second opinions are performed in the window when the primary team develops the diagnosis and treatment plan and it would be somewhat unusual to ask for a second opinion on a specific aspect of the plan once started.

Of all things one can get spooked about the entire cancer experience, CRT for me is the "gauntlet" and nearly universal anecdotes support the impression it is inescapable and just plan nasty or nastier and rather prolonged, even post CRT.

Anything I can do the ensure optimal IMRT delivery is what I am working on and getting peer RO/physicist review of the plan would offer great comfort that my custom CRT plan is going to leave me with the least amount of suffering and collateral damage while not compromising the efficacy of the CRT. May need to add the MO back in as the chemo and radiation are partners in the overall plan.

Thanks
Don