Only about 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed per year, so few doctors have experience with this cancer. Misdiagnosis is common. During a mesothelioma second opinion with a specialist, a biopsy is scheduled and once your diagnosis is confirmed, optimal treatments for you are discussed.
Why Is a Second Opinion for a Mesothelioma Diagnosis Important?
A second opinion with a mesothelioma specialist is essential because malignant mesothelioma is so rare that most doctors and oncologists haven’t seen a case and may fail to recognize it. Mesothelioma can be challenging to diagnose and stage accurately.
Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to many other diseases affecting the lungs, heart and abdominal organs, making misdiagnosis common. A tissue biopsy is the only way to get an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis. If you were given a diagnosis of mesothelioma without a biopsy or were diagnosed with another disease but suspect mesothelioma, consider seeking a second opinion from a specialist.
Learn about your diagnosis, top doctors and how to pay for treatment in our free mesothelioma guide.
Asbestos is the primary cause of malignant mesothelioma. This rare cancer primarily affects the pleura and peritoneum, the thin layers of tissue that cover the lungs and line the abdomen. Anyone with a history of asbestos exposure who experiences signs or symptoms of mesothelioma should seek a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist.
Tamron Little
Verified Asbestos.com Survivor
Mesothelioma Survivor Stresses the Importance of a Second Opinion
It’s important for us all to be our own patient advocates. If that means taking steps to get a second opinion, by all means, get your second opinion. The initial doctor who told me I had peritoneal mesothelioma was the OB-GYN who delivered my son Caleb. Cancer wasn’t his specialty, therefore he referred me to an oncologist.
How Do I Get a Mesothelioma Second Opinion?
Request a referral from your doctor to see a mesothelioma specialist for a second opinion. You can also ask people you know for recommendations of specialists they trust. Contacting your health insurance provider can also help you find in-network mesothelioma doctors.
Our team of Patient Advocates can also help you. They have experience connecting mesothelioma patients with specialists across the country. Our Patient Advocates can also help people with mesothelioma and their families with resources to help them cope with mesothelioma.
Getting an accurate diagnosis can be very challenging when it comes to mesothelioma. Since it’s so rare it’s hard to find doctors with experience diagnosing it. When patients with a history of asbestos exposure contact us with a pleural effusion or a lung cancer diagnosis, we encourage them to get a second opinion.
Working With a Patient Advocate to Get a Second Opinion
The Medical Outreach Team at The Mesothelioma Center has streamlined the process of obtaining a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist. Our relationships and partnerships with Centers of Excellence and doctors who have extensive knowledge of mesothelioma mean we can help you with registration, record transfers and scheduling the initial consultation appointment.
After gathering information about your interests, our team can suggest experts based on the type of diagnosis, your insurance and your preferred location. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all suggestions, Patient Advocates can offer high-level suggestions based on each patient’s unique needs.
People We Help Get Second Opinions
People who disagree with their initial diagnosis
Patients whose first opinion wasn’t with a mesothelioma specialist who want an expert’s opinion
People who disagree with the advice they were given
Those looking to confirm treatment offered is what a mesothelioma specialist would recommend for them
Patients seeking a clinical trial
“Patients often ask us what they can expect when getting a second opinion,” Medical Outreach Director Missy Miller adds. “If your pathology report, for example, doesn’t indicate mesothelioma, but you suspect that’s your correct diagnosis, a mesothelioma specialist can have the tissue from your biopsy sent to another pathology lab for further evaluation. Experts have labs they work with that understand the markers to look for to identify mesothelioma and your cell type.”
We can also arrange second opinions about treatment options to improve your prognosis. The specialists we recommend are heavily vetted and will confer with experts in various mesothelioma treatment approaches to develop a multidisciplinary treatment plan.
Your First Step After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
“After reading the guide, I felt more confident about what was ahead.” – Carla F., mesothelioma survivor
Getting a second opinion before surgery or starting other treatments is essential to help you weigh the best options for your needs and preferences. Discuss your options with your mesothelioma specialist to decide what suits you and your family.
You can discuss recommendations for the latest, most effective treatments during a second opinion with a mesothelioma specialist. You may be able to enroll in a clinical trial testing new treatments. Seeking an expert second opinion can help give you peace of mind that you’ve explored all your best options.
When patients reach out to us for help with getting a second opinion, it’s often to find a mesothelioma specialist to discuss treatment. Sometimes patients’ medical teams inform them that they’re not familiar with mesothelioma. Patients want to learn about all of the options open to them.
Cost of a Mesothelioma Second Opinion
The cost of getting a second opinion can be significant. However, mesothelioma statistics clearly show the value. A 2021 study revealed that a pathology second opinion changed the diagnosis in 14% of cases. Another small study found that a second opinion resulted in a new diagnosis for 43% of patients.
Second Opinion Costs
Expenses may include an in-person or remote consultation with a mesothelioma specialist.
Having biopsy samples reviewed for a pathology report can also increase total costs.
Second opinion costs typically range from $200 to $1,500 or more.
The cost of cancer treatment can be extremely high. Research shows that up to 62% of cancer survivors go into debt as a result of treatment expenses. Annual out-of-pocket costs may reach $15,000 for a single cancer drug. This is why getting the most accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment plan for your circumstances is essential.
Who Pays for a Mesothelioma Second Opinion?
Insurance coverage for second opinions varies, but many plans do pay a portion of the cost. For example, Medicare Part B generally covers 80% of the Medicare‑approved amount for second opinions related to non‑emergency, medically necessary surgery, after you meet the deductible.
In other situations, what’s covered can depend on your plan, so it’s important to check with your insurance provider before scheduling. Our Patient Advocates can help you navigate the insurance process and explore your options for getting a second opinion.
Our Patient Advocates also assist people with mesothelioma and their families in finding financial assistance. They can help individuals find health insurance coverage, provide guidance on financial planning and offer other valuable family resources.
Recommended Reading
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If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at (855) 404-4592
Who Am I Calling?
Calling this number connects you with a Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center, the nation's most trusted mesothelioma resource.
Our Patient Advocates can help guide you or your loved one through the steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Our team has a combined experience of more than 30 years in assisting cancer patients, and includes a medical doctor, an oncology registered nurse and a U.S. Navy veteran.
Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
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Asbestos.com is the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
About The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
Assisting mesothelioma patients and their loved ones since 2006.
Helps more than 50% of mesothelioma patients diagnosed annually in the U.S.
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
5-star reviewed mesothelioma and support organization.
My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.
Asbestos.com. (2025, September 4). Mesothelioma Second Opinion. Retrieved September 16, 2025, from https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/second-opinion/
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"Mesothelioma Second Opinion." Asbestos.com, 4 Sep 2025, https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/second-opinion/.
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Asbestos.com. "Mesothelioma Second Opinion." Last modified September 4, 2025. https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/second-opinion/.
Dr. Jeffrey Velotta is an experienced thoracic surgeon and pleural mesothelioma specialist at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center in California. Velotta also serves as an assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco.
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Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
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