Video Second Opinion with MD Anderson Professor for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Patient Prior to American Medical Travel
- Medebound HEALTH
- Sep 22
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 4
Author: Medical Editor Iris
Type: Real Case
Content:
Introduction
This case describes the journey of Ms. Zhang (pseudonym), a 55-year-old female patient diagnosed with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with lung metastasis. Facing limited options in Asia, she urgently sought access to U.S. clinical trials and became a leading expert at the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston, Texas.
Through the support of Medebound HEALTH, Ms. Zhang received a high-level remote consultation with the Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at MDACC. This consultation provided not only cutting-edge medical advice but also secured her enrollment pathway into potential clinical trials and confirmed the professor’s commitment to serve as her primary attending physician upon arrival in the United States.
Patient Profile
Patient: Ms. Zhang (pseudonym)
Age: 55 years
Diagnosis: Advanced pancreatic cancer with lung metastasis
Initial Detection: April 2021
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Important Medical History:
April 2021: Elevated CA19-9, PET/CT revealed a mass in the pancreatic body, highly suspicious for malignancy.
April 2021: Underwent robotic minimally invasive pancreatic body resection.
Pathology: Ductal adenocarcinoma; no vascular invasion.
Genetic Findings: KRAS G12V mutation, PD-L1 expression (80% of tumor cells), and other pathogenic alterations.
Postoperative Treatments:
Chemotherapy cycles: Gemcitabine + paclitaxel + tislelizumab initially.
Later switched to regimens involving capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) due to disease progression.
Key Clinical Question
Although Ms. Zhang and her family had already confirmed treatment appointments at MDACC, they wanted to ensure:
Access to pancreatic cancer clinical trials in the U.S.
A chance to engage directly with a leading pancreatic cancer expert at MDACC.
Clarification of the latest global treatment options beyond conventional chemotherapy.
This led them to seek remote tele-consultation services with Medeboud HEALTH
Remote Consultation Process
Mode: Video consultation
Expert: Director of the Digestive System Oncology Department, MDACC (pancreatic cancer specialist)
Language: English (no translator required; patient’s family communicated fluently)
Unexpected Scheduling Issue
Originally, the professor’s schedule had to be adjusted due to an emergency, risking cancellation. However, thanks to contingency planning by Medeboud HEALTH the consultation was successfully maintained, demonstrating strong physician commitment.
Consultation Content
1. Clinical Assessment
Comprehensive review of medical history and treatment journey.
Reassurance provided: patients with lung metastases often have relatively better prognosis than those with liver or peritoneal spread.
Current regimen of gemcitabine, albumin-bound paclitaxel, and fluorouracil noted to be stabilizing disease.
However, no superior second-line regimens were identified, strengthening the case for trial participation.
2. Clinical Trial Opportunities
The professor introduced several ongoing and upcoming U.S. and international clinical trials:
KRAS-targeted therapies:
Revolution Medicine’s RMC-6236.
Mirati’s KRAS-directed trials.
Noted long wait times (several months).
MEK inhibitors and Immunotherapy combinations:
CTLA-4 inhibitors combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.
While pancreatic cancer generally shows weak immunotherapy responses, select patients may benefit.
Personalized cancer vaccines:
Particularly mRNA-based vaccines.
More effective in post-surgical maintenance rather than in active metastatic disease.
Future applicability uncertain for KRAS G12D subtype.
International clinical trials:
Suggested exploring programs in Asia for faster accessibility.
3. Specialist Commitments
Professor agreed to serve as primary attending physician for Ms. Zhang upon arrival at MDACC.
Offered to assist in clinical trial enrollment at MDACC.
Promised to deliver a follow-up written report within 24 hours after the consultation.
Comparison Before and After Consultation
Before:
The patient had confirmed an outpatient appointment at MDACC, but was assigned only an associate professor as attending physician.
Unclear which trials were suitable or accessible.
After:
The chief professor agreed to personally serve as attending physician.
Received detailed review of current and upcoming clinical trials.
Clarified options for KRAS-targeted drugs, immunotherapy, and vaccines.
Patients gained structured support and reassurance ahead of U.S. treatment.
Patient and Family Feedback
Expressed high satisfaction with the consultation quality.
Appreciated direct communication in English with the professor.
Valued timely follow-up report delivered by Medeboud HEALTH staff.
Confirmed the consultation provided new hope and concrete treatment direction.
Broader Context: Why Remote Consultation Matters
Why Remote Consultation Matters
Cost Savings: Avoids unnecessary travel (savings up to 1M RMB across treatment journey).
Convenience: Access to global experts while staying at home.
Faster Access: Shortened waiting time (from 6 weeks to ~7 days).
Continuity of Care: Smooth transition from teleconsultation to in-person treatment.
Institutional Background
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Established in 1941, based in Houston, Texas.
Leading U.S. cancer hospital, consistently ranked #1 nationwide.
Accredited by 39 medical oncology societies.
Major global hub for cancer research, clinical trials, and treatment innovation.
Medebound HEALTH
About Medebound HEALTH: Since 2016, we've helped thousands of affluent families mostly from Asia get personalized cancer remote second opinions from the top 1% of US hospitals through simple written opinion or video calls. These are the same top doctors trained or active at top hospitals such as MD Anderson, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering and Johns Hopkins, etc, you will get their expertise, their treatment suggestion, and their guidance - all from your home. No matter where you live, world-class cancer care is just a few steps away.
How Medebound HEALTH Helps
Efficiency Advantage: Compared with contacting hospital international departments directly, Medebound HEALTH ensures a much smoother and faster process:
Written or video second opinions: arranged within 1–2 weeks
On-site appointments: arranged within 3–4 weeks
Comprehensive support services: While hospital international departments typically provide only medical translation, Medebound HEALTH goes further by offering daily life translation, logistical assistance, and personalized care support ensuring patients and families feel fully supported throughout their treatment journey.
Important Considerations:
Insurance Coverage: Check with your insurance provider regarding coverage for second opinion consultations, as many may not cover the cost.
Second Opinion Limitation: U.S. second opinion consultations are for reference purposes only. The physician-patient relationship is not formed with your remote physician. Remote consultations differ from in-person visits and are subject to limitations due to lack of direct in-person examination. As such you will need to understand Medebound HEALTH and the U.S. doctor are not liable for any treatment decisions made based on the second opinion, and accept the risks of relying on any information provided under this agreement. You will need to sign an agreement to confirm that you voluntarily request this service and understand its limitations.
Timeliness: Getting a second opinion early in your treatment journey, ideally before starting treatment, can be beneficial
Conclusion
This case illustrates how remote consultation, facilitated by Medeboud HEALTH, can transform the treatment journey for international patients with advanced cancer.
For Ms. Zhang, the video consultation with the MDACC professor:
Clarified global treatment options.
Secured direct access to a leading pancreatic cancer expert.
Opened doors to clinical trial enrollment.
Provided emotional reassurance and strategic guidance ahead of her U.S. trip.
Ultimately, the case demonstrates that timely tele-consultation can bridge the gap between local treatment limitations and global medical advances, offering patients new opportunities at a critical stage of illness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): All Answers You Need
Why do patients seek a remote second opinion before traveling to the U.S.?
Patients often want reassurance and direction before committing to an expensive and time-sensitive international medical trip.
Even when hospital appointments are already booked, families use Medebound HEALTH to verify their diagnosis, confirm clinical trial eligibility, and ensure they are matched with the most suitable specialist.
This process prevents wasted travel time, unnecessary costs, or mismatched hospital programs. It also helps patients plan the most effective treatment timeline and travel strategy.
Example: Ms. Zhang consulted a chief professor through Medebound HEALTH before her visit to MD Anderson. The remote review confirmed her eligibility for a targeted trial and helped her refine her treatment plan in advance.
Takeaway: Early remote consultations make international travel and treatment more purposeful, efficient, and aligned with each patient’s true medical needs.
How does Medebound HEALTH coordinate consultations with top doctors?
Medebound HEALTH manages all communication, scheduling, and documentation directly with global experts and hospital offices.
The coordination team handles time zone alignment, medical record organization, and any last-minute changes to ensure that your consultation proceeds smoothly.
This proactive system eliminates the stress of dealing with hospital bureaucracy or professor scheduling conflicts—allowing families to focus entirely on understanding their care options.
Example: When Ms. Zhang’s doctor’s schedule shifted unexpectedly, Medebound HEALTH swiftly secured a new session with the same specialist, ensuring no delay in her consultation.
Takeaway: Reliable coordination ensures timely access to high-demand specialists and uninterrupted care planning.
Can international patients access MD Anderson clinical trials through Medebound HEALTH?
Yes. Medebound HEALTH helps eligible patients prepare and apply for clinical trials at MD Anderson and other top-tier institutions.
Since each trial has strict inclusion criteria, Medebound HEALTH assists with identifying suitable studies, gathering required medical records, and guiding patients through the eligibility process.
This structured preparation increases the chances of successful enrollment while reducing administrative delays.
Example: Multiple patients have joined KRAS-targeted and immunotherapy trials through Medebound HEALTH’s pre-screening support, improving access to potentially life-extending treatments.
Takeaway: Early coordination through Medebound HEALTH opens doors to global research opportunities that may enhance survival and quality of life.
How quickly can a remote second opinion be arranged?
In most cases, a remote second opinion can be organized within 1–2 weeks.Medebound HEALTH streamlines the entire process from collecting and translating medical documents to matching each patient with the most suitable expert.
Traditional hospital channels can take months, but Medebound HEALTH’s network and system eliminate long waiting periods, allowing urgent cases to receive expert review faster. This speed is crucial for aggressive cancers, where treatment decisions cannot be delayed.
Example: Several patients received full evaluations within ten days and were able to promptly adjust their treatment strategies for better outcomes.
Takeaway: Rapid expert access through Medebound HEALTH can make a critical difference in treatment success.
How much cost can be saved by starting with a remote consultation?
Families can save up to 1 million RMB by confirming the right diagnosis and care plan before traveling abroad.A remote second opinion helps determine the most suitable doctor, treatment strategy, and hospital so families avoid premature or unnecessary trips, repeated tests, or consultations with the wrong specialists.
By traveling only when there’s a clear, evidence-based reason, families optimize both their financial and medical plans.
Example: Several families using Medebound HEALTH reduced overseas expenses by more than half after refining their strategies through remote expert reviews.
Takeaway: Remote consultations ensure every medical and financial decision is informed, intentional, and cost-effective.
What language support does Medebound HEALTH provide?
Medebound HEALTH offers full professional translation and interpretation services for every consultation.Patients can choose their preferred language for both written reports and live video sessions. The interpreters are medically trained, ensuring that all complex terms and treatment recommendations are accurately conveyed.
This allows families to fully understand the expert’s explanations, ask questions confidently, and build trust regardless of language barriers or communication style.
Example: Families who used Medebound HEALTH’s interpretation services reported stronger understanding, confidence, and satisfaction with their treatment decisions.
Takeaway: Language should never stand between you and the best global medical advice—Medebound HEALTH ensures complete clarity at every step.
How does Medebound HEALTH support families beyond medical consultations?
The Medebound HEALTH team stays with patients and families beyond the initial expert consultation.
They provide emotional guidance, logistical support, and follow-up coordination to help patients implement treatment recommendations in their home country or continue their care abroad if needed.
Families often describe Medebound HEALTH coordinators as “trusted partners” who bridge cultural, emotional, and medical gaps throughout the healing journey.
Takeaway: Medebound HEALTH combines world-class coordination with compassionate human support, ensuring that families never feel alone during complex medical decisions.
Contact Us to Get Started
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Disclaimer
We strive to maintain the accuracy and provide regular updates for the treatment information described in this article. However, treatment outcomes may vary between individuals. The information provided here is not intended as a diagnostic or treatment recommendation and should not replace the careful evaluation and advice of your attending physician.
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