Receiving a cancer diagnosis for your child can be devastating, but armed with information, you can take the first important steps toward finding the right care for your child.

The Cancer Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is available to consult with you or your physician on pediatric cancer second opinion requests. We work with families and pediatric specialists from all over the country and around the world to confirm diagnoses or to provide second opinions.

How to get a second opinion

Here are your options for requesting a second opinion:

1. Call 267-426-0762 to speak to a Cancer Center Intake Coordinator about your child’s case.
2. U.S. residents: See if your child is a candidate for our Online Remote Consultation Program (currently only available for select states).
3. Non-U.S. residents: Contact our Global Patient Services team to learn more.

Why get a second opinion

When your child has been diagnosed with cancer or if their cancer has relapsed (come back) or not responded to treatment, a second opinion will give you the information you need to make an informed and educated decision about your child’s treatment. A second opinion can also provide reassurance as you make decisions about your child's care. Families seek second opinions for a variety of reasons, including:

Feeling uncomfortable with or needing confirmation of a diagnosis

When your child is diagnosed with cancer, you experience many feelings, including the desire to begin treatment as soon as possible. After allowing yourself a few days to come to terms with your child's diagnosis, you may find that getting a second opinion can clear up any doubts you may have or provide you with the confirmation you need to proceed with treatment.

Seeking the opinion of a specialist with experience treating your child's type of cancer

While your child’s pediatric oncologist may have treated the type of cancer your child has, he or she may wish to obtain a second opinion from a pediatric oncologist who is highly experienced in working directly with a particular type of cancer. CHOP specialists may be aware of new treatment methods or clinical trials and can share that information during a second opinion.

When to get a second opinion

The best times to get a second opinion are before your child starts cancer treatment or during the first few weeks of therapy, or if your child’s tumor has relapsed or not responded to treatment. Another common time to get a second opinion is when a change in therapy, such as adding radiation therapy, surgery or new chemotherapy has been recommended.