How to Get a Second Opinion for GBM

EducationPosted: April 8, 2026 • By: PACT

You just got a glioblastoma diagnosis. Your head is spinning. Your family is in shock. And someone — maybe your oncologist, maybe a friend who Googled everything overnight mentions getting a second opinion.

Your first instinct might be: Is there even time for that? Will my doctor be offended? What does it actually involve?

This guide walks you through how to get a second opinion for GBM, what to bring, how fast it can happen, and why it matters even when you trust your current team completely.

Why a Second Opinion for Glioblastoma Is Worth the Effort

A second opinion isn't a vote of no-confidence in your doctor. It's standard practice in complex cancer care and most neuro-oncologists expect it.

Here's the practical reason it matters: GBM treatment decisions can hinge on the specific molecular profile of your tumor. A second opinion can confirm, or occasionally refine, that profile. A second opinion may also be aware of clinical trials, treatment sequencing options, or other nuances that your first team hasn't flagged.

When to Seek a Second Opinion for Brain Cancer

Go sooner rather than later. The best window for a second opinion is before treatment begins — ideally before surgery, if timing allows, and certainly before you commit to a specific treatment plan.

The National Brain Tumor Society recommends seeking a second opinion before brain surgery when possible, noting that a neuro-oncologist can help identify the right neurosurgeon based on your tumor type.

That said, a second opinion is useful at multiple points in the GBM journey:

At initial diagnosis, to confirm pathology and molecular markers
Before starting a new treatment line, to check whether a clinical trial might be a better fit
At recurrence, when options may be less clear-cut and trial eligibility changes

There is no "too late" for a second opinion. Even mid-treatment, a fresh set of expert eyes can be valuable.

How to Get a Second Opinion for Glioblastoma: Step by Step

Step 1: Identify where you'd like to get a second opinion

The most important factor is finding a center with genuine subspecialty expertise in brain tumors, and specifically in GBM. A general cancer center, even a good one, is not the same as a program where neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, and neuropathologists work together on brain tumors every day. Volume matters: physicians who see a high number of GBM cases are more likely to be familiar with nuanced treatment decisions, newer trial options, and edge cases in molecular classification.

A few things worth considering as you choose: Do you want to travel? An in-person consult at a major brain tumor center gives you the opportunity to meet the team, get imaging reviewed on-site, and potentially enroll in a clinical trial on the spot. If you're well enough to travel and want to explore treatment at a different institution, in-person makes sense. If your priority is a fast, low-effort second opinion on your diagnosis and treatment plan before moving forward, a virtual program can deliver that in days without requiring a trip. Examples of virtual programs:

Cedars-Sinai (virtual second opinion program, GBM-specific; written report delivered within seven business days after records are received): https://secondopinion.cedars-sinai.org/condition/glioblastoma-multiforme-gbm/
Barrow Neurological Institute (online second opinion program; patients can see the named physician reviewing their records, with a commitment to respond within 7 to 10 business days): https://www.barrowneuro.org/patient-care/your-journey/im-looking-for-a-second-opinion/
Cleveland Clinic (virtual second opinions through The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic; reachable at 866.887.0507): https://www.clinicbyclevelandclinic.com/second-opinions/all-other-second-opinions/brain-tumor-second-opinion/
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (in-person and virtual consultation options; call 1-800-ROSWELL): https://www.roswellpark.org/cancer/brain/diagnosis/second-opinion

Is your question about diagnosis or treatment? If there's any uncertainty about your pathology, whether the molecular classification is complete, or whether the tumor was graded correctly, you may want a center with particular neuropathology strength. If your diagnosis is clear and your question is really about treatment approach or trial eligibility, a clinical second opinion from a high-volume neuro-oncology team is what you're after.

Is trial access important to you? Some centers run significantly more GBM trials than others. If accessing a clinical trial is a priority, it's worth checking what each center currently has open before committing to a consultation. Barrow's Ivy Brain Tumor Center, for example, runs one of the largest Phase 0 trial programs in the world. MD Anderson, UCSF, and Memorial Sloan Kettering are also known for high trial volume in neuro-oncology.

Step 2: Keep your oncologist in the loop

You might be nervous about this conversation. Most patients are. Here's language the National Brain Tumor Society suggests using directly:

"Before having surgery and starting treatment, I'd like to get another opinion. Who would you recommend for a second opinion, and will you help me?"

Most neuro-oncologists are not only unbothered by this. They'll often facilitate the records transfer themselves or recommend a specific colleague. If a doctor is resistant to a second opinion, that itself is useful information.

Step 3: Understand What Records Are Needed and Who Collects Them

For a clinical second opinion on diagnosis and treatment, centers typically need your written pathology report, your MRI scans, your operative report if you've had surgery, and a current treatment summary or oncologist notes. You do not need to send physical tumor tissue or slides for this type of review. Those are only relevant if you're specifically requesting a pathology re-review, a separate service where a neuropathologist re-examines the tumor tissue itself to verify or clarify the diagnosis.

How records get collected depends on where you go. Some programs, particularly structured virtual second opinion services, assign a coordinator who handles the collection on your behalf after you enroll. For an in-person consult at a different institution, you or your current care team will typically need to arrange the transfer yourselves. In that case, your current hospital's medical records department is the right place to start. Hospitals are legally required to release your records to you, and most can also send them directly to another institution if you authorize it. Turnaround on records requests is usually a few business days, so it's worth initiating this early rather than waiting until everything else is in place. If your current oncologist is helping facilitate the second opinion, which many will, they can often handle the records transfer directly and may already have a relationship with the receiving institution.

Step 4: Know What to Ask at the Second Opinion

Come prepared with specific questions. Some useful ones:

Do you confirm the diagnosis and molecular classification?
Would you recommend the same treatment approach?
Are there clinical trials I may be eligible for that I haven't been told about?
Is there anything in my pathology or history that would make me a stronger or weaker candidate for specific trial types?

Write them down. Bring someone with you, or record the discussion. Many providers will allow this.

What This Means for Patients

Getting a second opinion for GBM is one of the most concrete actions you can take in the early days after diagnosis and it's more accessible than most people realize.

It can confirm that you're on the right path. It can surface clinical trial options your current team wasn't aware of. And it can give you the confidence to move forward with your treatment plan, knowing you've done your due diligence.

You don't need to wait until something feels "wrong." You don't need to feel disloyal to your current doctor. You just need your records and a phone call.

If part of what you're looking for is trial eligibility — whether a second opinion has opened up new options or you're starting from scratch — PACT AI can help you search trials matched to your specific situation. Visit pact-ai.com to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will getting a second opinion delay my treatment?

It depends on timing. Virtual second opinion programs at major centers like Cedars-Sinai aim to return written reports within four to six business days of receiving complete records. A second opinion often doesn't require delaying treatment — it can happen in parallel with planning.

Does insurance cover a second opinion for brain cancer?

Many insurance plans do cover second opinion consultations, but coverage varies. Call your insurer before scheduling and ask specifically whether the consultation and any associated pathology review are covered. Some hospital second opinion programs also have patient navigators who can help with this.

What if the second opinion is different from the first?

It happens, though it's not the most common outcome. If you receive conflicting opinions — on diagnosis, molecular classification, or treatment approach — you can request a third opinion or ask both teams to communicate directly. A discrepancy is not a crisis; it's information that helps you make a better decision.

Do I need a referral to get a second opinion?

At most major cancer centers, no. You can contact their second opinion programs directly. However, having your primary oncologist involved often speeds up the records transfer process, so it's worth asking them to participate even if it isn't required.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your medical team before making any treatment decisions.