Why You May Want a Second Opinion for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer — and How to Get One
Published on September 2, 2026
ON THIS PAGE
ON THIS PAGE
The term “ovarian cancer recurrence,” meaning the cancer has returned after treatment, can make every decision feel urgent. Even so, in most cases, it’s okay to pause, ask questions, and make sure you understand all your options. Sometimes, that includes getting another doctor’s advice on your treatment choices, commonly known as a second opinion.
Whether to get a second opinion for recurrent ovarian cancer is your choice to make, and it doesn’t mean you distrust your oncologist or have run out of options. It’s a common and reasonable part of medical care that many people use to feel more confident that they’re making the right decisions, says Ira Winer, MD, a board-certified gynecologic oncologist at Corewell Health East in Royal Oak, Michigan. Another oncologist can confirm that you’re already on the right track, offer a different angle on ovarian cancer treatment, or discuss therapies and clinical trials that may not be available everywhere.
Why Getting a Second Opinion Is a Smart Move
“One of the biggest benefits of getting a second opinion is making sure you’ve heard all of the available options,” says Dr. Winer.
Treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer is individualized. Oncologists usually consider your biomarker testing results, past treatments, overall health, and treatment goals. Depending on those details, more than one treatment approach may be appropriate.
Another opinion may be helpful if you want to:
- Confirm that your current treatment plan is the right one.
- Learn about any new emerging treatments or clinical trials that weren’t part of your original conversation.
- Get a clearer explanation of why a specific treatment is being recommended.
- Get input from someone who regularly treats your type of ovarian cancer, especially if it’s uncommon.
A second opinion doesn’t have to change your treatment plan to be useful. It can help you understand why a treatment is being recommended and feel more certain about your decision.
Should You Get a Second Opinion at an NCI-Designated Cancer Center?
While any gynecologic oncologist can give you a second opinion, if it’s an option, you may also want to consult an academic center or a National Cancer Institute (NCI)–designated cancer center.
Academic centers are tied to universities or medical schools, so their teams often combine hands-on cancer care with ongoing research. NCI‑designated cancer centers are institutions — often academic centers — that the National Cancer Institute has formally recognized for having exceptional cancer research programs.
“NCI-designated cancer centers often have a large faculty and treat a higher number of patients,” says Shana Wingo, MD, a board-certified gynecologic oncologist and an assistant clinical professor in the department of surgery at City of Hope Cancer Center in Phoenix. These centers may have more specialists closely connected to current research and data, and greater access to clinical trials studying new treatment options.
That doesn’t mean you can only receive excellent care at a large or well-known center. The gynecologic oncologist's experience is also important, says Winer, who recommends considering both the cancer center and the individual physician’s experience when deciding where to go.
How Doctors Feel About Second Opinions
When you’ve built a relationship with your oncologist, the idea of discussing a second opinion can feel uncomfortable. It’s natural to worry that the request will come across as a lack of trust or that your oncologist will no longer want to treat you. But most oncologists understand that you’re simply trying to be as informed and confident as possible before making another treatment decision, says Winer.
“If a patient asks me whether they should seek a second opinion, my answer is, ‘Please do,’” Winer says. He’s often happy to recommend a colleague and says most oncologists will not be upset by the request.
In fact, a second opinion can be helpful for everyone involved. “Second opinions not only provide comfort to the patient but also give treating physicians the perspective of another equally qualified provider,” Dr. Wingo says.
Seeking another opinion also does not mean you must leave your current oncologist or start over with someone new. Your oncologist’s knowledge of your medical history, treatment goals, and your response to previous therapies remains valuable, says Winer. The second opinion simply adds another specialist’s perspective to the discussion.
If you’re unsure how to start the conversation, Winer suggests saying, “I’d like to get a second opinion to make sure I understand all of my options. Is there someone you would recommend?”
Other ways to ask include:
- “I’m concerned about this recurrence and want to be sure I understand my choices. Could a second opinion help me explore other options?”
- “If someone you cared about had this type of cancer, whom would you recommend they see for a second opinion?”
- “I’d feel more comfortable hearing another specialist’s perspective before starting treatment. Can you help me arrange that?”
In some cases, your oncologist may say they don’t think another opinion is necessary, particularly if their recommendation is a well-established treatment that specialists generally agree is appropriate, Winer says. But you can still request one if it would help you feel more comfortable with the plan.
If your oncologist becomes upset or refuses to support your request, both Winer and Wingo say that response may be a reason to reconsider whether the relationship still meets your needs.
How to Get a Second Opinion for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
Once you’ve decided to get a second opinion, the next step is finding the right specialist and making sure they have the information needed to review your case. “Fortunately, much of the logistics are handled by the institution where you’re seeking the second opinion,” Winer says.
1. Ask How Soon Treatment Needs to Begin
Second‑opinion appointments aren’t always available right away, and it may take some time to coordinate the transfer of your medical records. Ask your oncologist how long it’s medically safe to wait so you can plan the consultation without delaying necessary care.
2. Search for a Gynecologic Oncologist
Your oncologist may know another specialist or have a colleague they can recommend. A nurse navigator or oncology social worker may also help you find oncologists, make calls, and work through insurance questions.
Look for a gynecologic oncologist rather than a general oncologist. These physicians have additional training in diagnosing and treating cancers of the female reproductive system, including ovarian cancer.
“The best choice may depend on the specific type of ovarian cancer you have,” Winer says. “For example, patients with rarer tumor types may benefit from seeing someone who has particular expertise in that disease.”
A helpful starting point is the OCRA Find a Doctor tool. You can also search the websites of major academic medical centers and NCI-designated cancer centers, or call the NCI Cancer Information Service at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237) for help finding a specialist.
You can also contact an ovarian cancer organization, such as the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) or the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), or support group leaders for names of specialists. Be sure to verify each physician’s training and experience before scheduling an appointment.
3. Call Your Insurance Provider
In most cases, the second-opinion center will verify your insurance coverage, but confirming your benefits yourself can help you avoid unexpected expenses.
Once you have a list of specialists or cancer centers, call your health insurance plan and consider asking any of the questions below that apply to you:
- Are second-opinion consultations covered?
- Do I need a referral or prior authorization?
- Are the cancer center and the physician in my provider network?
- Do I have coverage for an out-of-network specialist?
- What would I be expected to pay?
Write down the representative’s name and any confirmation or reference number you receive. If the specialist is out-of-network, contact the cancer center to ask about estimated costs, payment options, and financial assistance.
4. Contact the Second-Opinion Center
Tell the scheduling team that you have recurrent ovarian cancer and want another opinion about your treatment options.
Some questions to ask include:
- How soon can I be seen?
- Does the physician treat my specific type of ovarian cancer?
- Is an in-person visit required, or can I have a virtual consultation? (This is especially helpful if the center you prefer is far from you.)
- What medical records are required?
- Will the center request my records?
If the first available appointment is too far away, find out whether the center keeps a cancellation list or has another qualified gynecologic oncologist who can see you sooner.
5. Gather Your Medical Records
The second-opinion center can often request your records after you sign a release form. Ask which documents you should collect or send yourself. Wingo recommends providing as much relevant information as possible so the specialist can fully review your case.
This may include:
- Pathology reports and, if requested, the original glass or digital slides or tissue blocks
- Imaging reports and the actual images from computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), or ultrasound scans
- Operative reports from previous surgeries
- Laboratory results, including changes in your cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) level
- Results from genetic and tumor biomarker testing
- Hospital discharge summaries
- A list of your current medications, supplements, and allergies
- Consultation notes from your current oncologist and other specialists
- Your current oncologist’s treatment recommendation
6. Create a Short Treatment Timeline
If possible, jot down a treatment timeline to help the oncologist giving the second opinion understand what has happened so far. Include:
- When you were diagnosed
- When you had surgery or other procedures
- Which treatments you received and when
- When and how the recurrence was found
If you don’t remember every detail, that’s okay; your medical records can help fill in what’s missing. Bring a written list of questions (discussed below), and consider asking someone you trust to attend the appointment with you and help take notes.
What to Ask at Your Appointment
The second opinion appointment may cover a lot of information in a short amount of time. It helps to write down your questions and place the most important ones at the top. You can also ask permission to record what’s discussed during the appointment by saying, “Is it all right if I record our conversation so I can listen to it again later?”
Our experts recommend asking questions that help you understand the treatment recommendation and whether other options or clinical trials may be available. Here are some examples to consider. Choose the ones that best match what you want to understand before making a treatment decision.
- Do I need any additional tests, including genetic or tumor biomarkers, before deciding on treatment?
- How does the way my cancer responded to previous treatment affect my options now?
- What treatment do you recommend, and why?
- What are the potential benefits and risks?
- How likely is this treatment to control the cancer?
- How will we know whether the treatment is working?
- Are there any emerging treatments I should consider or clinical trials I may qualify for?
- Would I need to receive treatment through this facility, or could I receive it closer to home?
- How soon do I need to make a decision and begin treatment?
- What would the next step be if this treatment doesn’t work or stops working?
- Would it help to have my case presented and reviewed during the next tumor board (a meeting where a team of cancer experts reviews complex or unusual cases to help choose the best treatment)?
- Who should I contact if I have questions after this appointment?
After the appointment, request a written summary and have it sent to your current oncologist. If the two recommendations differ, ask both oncologists to explain their reasoning and whether they can discuss your case together. Unless treatment needs to begin urgently, give yourself time to compare the options and decide which approach feels right for you.
Resources We Trust
- Cleveland Clinic: When to Get a Second Opinion
- Mayo Clinic: Ovarian Cancer: Get the Facts
- American Cancer Society: Seeking a Second Opinion
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition: Facing an Ovarian Cancer Recurrence?
- Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance: Recurrence
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
- Recurrence. Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.
- When To Get a Second Opinion. Cleveland Clinic. May 27, 2026.
- Seeking a Second Opinion. American Cancer Society. July 31, 2025.
- Treating Ovarian Cancer. American Cancer Society. August 8, 2025.
- NCI-Designated Cancer Centers. National Cancer Institute. May 20, 2026.
- Choosing a Cancer Center or Hospital. American Cancer Society. August 26, 2025.
- Patient Navigation in Cancer Care. American Cancer Society. September 15, 2025.
- Gynecologic Oncologist. Cleveland Clinic. September 17, 2025.
- In-Network vs. Out-of-Network Treatment. American Cancer Society. June 23, 2026.
- Finding Cancer Care. National Cancer Institute. August 28, 2024.
Meet Our Experts
Emily Prendergast, MD
Medical Reviewer
Emily Prendergast, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist and associate professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where she also serves as associate ...
Maggie Aime, MSN, RN
Author
Maggie Aime is a registered nurse with over 25 years of healthcare experience, who brings medical topics to life through informative and inspiring content. Her extensive nursing ba...