Like most people in Oklahoma, you likely have no reason not to completely trust in any diagnosis delivered to you by a doctor. Their assumed expertise in their particular field leads you to feel confident in whatever they have to stay. It is for this very reason why a cancer diagnosis can be so crushing.
How could a doctor get such a serious diagnosis wrong? While there are many signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of cancer, there are also conditions that may mimic it. Thus, a more appropriate question would be why would your doctor try to deter you from seeking a second opinion following a cancer diagnosis.
Benign causes of growths and tumors
Unexplained growths and tumors are among the most common signs of cancer. Indeed, cancer itself is uncontrollable cell growth, which often results in a noticeable mass. Yet there are other conditions that cause such growths. According to the Cleveland Clinic, simple infections or abscesses might result in masses that resemble tumors. Joint inflammation and high blood fat levels (hyperlipidemia) can cause cysts that one can mistake for cancerous growth.
A clinician may tell you that yes, one such make sure not to rush classifying an unexplained tissue growth as cancerous. bone masses are much stronger indicators of cancer. That may be true (to a certain extent), yet the following benign conditions can also cause bone tumors:
- Osteomyelitis and osteoporosis
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Paget’s disease (bone deformations due to the growth of new bone tissue)
- Idiopathic myositis ossifications
The benefit of a second opinion
While your doctor may question your desire to seek a second opinion (perhaps seeing it as your questioning their judgment and/or skill), your own peace of mind as to the validity of the diagnosis should be paramount (and secure prior to committing to cancer treatment).