How to Get a Second Opinion for Glioblastoma
Health ConditionsCancerBrain Cancer

How to Get a Second Opinion and Access Specialized Care for Glioblastoma Multiforme

How to Get a Second Opinion and Access Specialized Care for Glioblastoma Multiforme
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Published on August 26, 2026
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A glioblastoma diagnosis may make you feel eager to start treatment for this aggressive brain tumor as soon as possible.

 But a second opinion on your diagnosis and treatment recommendations can give you peace of mind and confidence in your plan of care.

The provider who gives you a second opinion may agree with your first provider. If they don’t, they can discuss your care with each other to ensure you get the best treatment possible.

A good oncologist won’t be upset or offended when you ask for a second opinion — they should welcome it, says Ryan Cleary, MD, a neurosurgeon at VCU Health and VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center in Richmond, Virginia.

“You're in this together to try and get people the best care that they can get,” says Laura Donovan, MD, a neuro-oncologist and the medical director of the Brain Tumor Center at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta. “So I really don't take it personally. I think if it's something that would be helpful for you, then definitely do it.”

Why a Second Opinion Is Important for Glioblastoma

Experts recommend specialized care for glioblastoma because it’s so complex and rare.

 A neurological oncologist, or neuro-oncologist, is a cancer doctor who specializes in brain tumors.

Access to Glioblastoma Specialists

It may not be easy to find a neuro-oncologist near you — they practice in fewer than 1 percent of U.S. zip codes.

To locate and choose a neuro-oncologist for your second opinion, try to choose a National Cancer Institute (NCI)–designated cancer center. These facilities have met strict guidelines in cancer care and research, and their providers have the most up-to-date information on your glioblastoma type and treatment options.

 You can find an NCI-designated cancer center on the National Cancer Institute website.
Getting a second opinion for glioblastoma at a large brain tumor center means you can see a neuro-oncologist who has treated a lot of brain tumors, says Dr. Donovan. “The way we classify glioblastoma and other brain tumors is changing,” she says, and getting a second opinion can ensure you get the latest testing.

Clinical Trials

“When it comes to recurrent glioblastoma, second opinions can be helpful to find out about other treatment options and available clinical trial options,” says Dr. Cleary.

Clinical trials test new treatments, and joining a trial means you can have treatment that wouldn't be available otherwise.

 Brain tumor centers run various research trials based at their facilities, and your second-opinion oncologist may know of other trial options for you, says Donovan.

Reassurance

“When you're dealing with a very serious cancer diagnosis, sometimes it can just be helpful to hear from two different people, even if you hear the same information,” says Donovan. Overall, a second opinion can make sure no stone is left unturned, she says.

How to Get a Remote Second Opinion From a Top Cancer Center

Traveling with a brain tumor can feel overwhelming, and symptoms like headaches and nausea can make getting to medical appointments difficult, especially if they are far away or out-of-state.

 Many top cancer centers offer remote second opinions so you don’t have to leave home to benefit from their providers’ expertise.

Cancer centers that offer virtual second opinion programs include:

  • Cedars-Sinai

  • Cleveland Clinic

  • Emory Healthcare

  • Stanford Medicine

A virtual second opinion through a large brain tumor center typically involves these steps.

  1. Call the center or fill out an online form.
  2. Upload important medical records. (A coordinator may help you with this step.)
  3. Pay a fee or arrange insurance payment.
  4. A neuro-oncologist reviews your records and may schedule a video call to discuss them.
  5. You receive a written report with recommendations.
Before you get started, check with your health insurance company to find out how much they will cover.

 Out-of-state remote opinions sometimes require out-of-pocket fees.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

You can prepare for a second opinion by discussing the plan with your original doctor, arranging transportation if needed, collecting your medical records, and asking someone to come with you.

Talk to Your Provider About Treatment Delays

Because this cancer grows fast, glioblastoma requires fast treatment, says Donovan. Experts recommend surgery to remove the tumor no later than a month after diagnosis.

After surgery, you may need to start other treatments like radiation and chemotherapy within a few weeks — six at the latest, says Donovan. “If you are going to do second opinions, you want to do them sooner rather than later,” she says.

Arrange Transportation to Your Appointment

If you decide to visit your second opinion provider in person, some organizations can help with transportation. These include:

Gather Your Medical Records

Gather your medical records through your online patient portal or by requesting them from your oncologist and primary care provider.

 You can keep your records in a digital folder or store paper copies in a medical binder.
These records may include:

  • Blood test results
  • Scans (like X-ray, CT scan, or MRI)
  • Pathology reports (which explain details about your tumor)
  • Past medical history and treatments
  • Operation reports
  • Hospitalization reports
  • Summary of your current treatment plan

Bring a Support Person

Plan on bringing a loved one or friend with you to your appointment, even if it’s a video call. Glioblastoma diagnosis and treatment planning involves a lot of detail, and the information can feel overwhelming. Your support person can take notes, ask questions, and provide emotional backup during the visit.

Draft a List of Questions

Before your appointment, write all the questions you’d like to ask. It’s easy to forget them once a visit has started.

Consider asking the following questions:

  • Do you agree with the treatment plan developed by my first team?
  • Do I qualify for any clinical trials through your health center?
  • What additional information did you see in my pathology report, if any?
  • Would you recommend any additional molecular testing? (Molecular tests identify DNA that can help direct treatment.)

  • Is there anything I’m not asking that I should?

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Glioblastoma. American Cancer Society. January 5, 2026.
  2. Second Opinion. Brain Tumor Foundation.
  3. Oncologist. Cleveland Clinic. November 25, 2024.
  4. Kim Y et al. Disparities in the Availability of and Access to Neuro-Oncology Trial-Supporting Infrastructure in the United States. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. September 26, 2024.
  5. NCI-Designated Cancer Centers. National Cancer Institute. May 20, 2026.
  6. Glioblastoma. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. June 2026.
  7. Transportation & Care Coordination. National Brain Tumor Society. August 13, 2024.
  8. Feldheim J et al. Telemedicine in Neuro-Oncology—An Evaluation of Remote Consultations during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cancers. August 11, 2023.
  9. I am seeking a Virtual Second Opinion. Cedars-Sinai.
  10. Virtual Second Opinions. Cleveland Clinic.
  11. Neurosurgery Second Opinion Program. Emory Healthcare.
  12. Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion Program. Stanford Medicine.
  13. Virtual Second Opinion for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Cedars-Sinai.
  14. Ohio State Online Second Opinion FAQ. The Ohio State University.
  15. How to Get a Second Opinion Following a Brain Tumour Diagnosis. Brain Tumour Charity.
  16. Müller DMJ et al. Timing of Glioblastoma Surgery and Patient Outcomes: A Multicenter Cohort Study. Neuro-Oncology Advances. April 8, 2021.
  17. Seeking a Second Opinion. American Cancer Society. July 31, 2025.
  18. Biomarker Testing. National Brain Tumor Society.
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