Video Second Opinion with MSKCC’s Chair of Breast Cancer
- Medebound HEALTH
- Sep 19
- 9 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
How a Remote Video Second Opinion Adjusted Treatment Plans and Renewed Hope for an Advanced Cancer Patient
Author: Medical Editor Iris
Introduction
When Ms. Wang (pseudonym), a breast cancer patient from Asia faced worsening results from her ongoing treatment, and her family began searching for new options. They hoped advanced therapies abroad, particularly proton therapy in the United States could offer a breakthrough.
Instead of immediately sending her overseas, her family connected with Medebound HEALTH, a professional medical consultation service specializing in cross-border care. Medebound HEALTH recommended a remote video consultation with a top American expert: Dr. Larry Norton, Chair of Breast Cancer at the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC).
What followed was a carefully guided process that not only adjusted Ms. Wang’s treatment plan but also gave her and her family a renewed sense of direction and hope.
Patient Background
Patient: Ms. Wang (pseudonym)
Initial Diagnosis: Breast cancer with distant metastasis
Domestic Hospital: Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (Zhongshan Hospital), China
Surgical History: Breast-conserving surgery on left breast with axillary lymph node dissection
Adjuvant Therapy: Radiotherapy completed on May 5, 2022
Subsequent Treatment: Endocrine therapy, but with poor outcomes and disease progression
At the time her family reached Medebound HEALTH Medical, Ms. Wang’s condition was worsening despite treatment. Her relatives were actively researching advanced therapies abroad, including proton beam therapy, which is often publicized as a cutting-edge option for difficult cancers.
Why Not Travel Abroad Immediately?
Medebound HEALTH assigned a dedicated medical manager to Ms. Wang’s case. Instead of rushing into international travel, they recommended a structured approach beginning with a Remote Video second opinion.
The reasons included:
Access to authority: Leading U.S. oncologists could review her case before committing to travel.
Latest treatment insight: Understand whether American therapies (new drugs, clinical trials, targeted therapies) were more suitable.
Cost-benefit clarity: Avoid unnecessary expenses if travel is unlikely to improve treatment options.
Continuity of care: Ensure U.S. treatment plans could be implemented locally in China when possible.
Flexibility: If U.S. treatment became necessary later, prior communication with American specialists would accelerate arrangements.
This pathway ensured Ms. Wang’s family could make informed, step-by-step decisions, balancing access to global expertise with practical needs.
Preparing for the Video Second Opinion
Medebound HEALTH Medical’s team worked closely with Ms. Wang’s family to prepare:
Medical Record Collection: Hundreds of pages of clinical notes, imaging, and pathology reports were gathered.
Translation & Case Summarization: A professional bilingual medical team translated and summarized the records into a structured international referral report.
Clarifying Questions: Together with the family, three core topics were prioritized for Dr. Norton:
Diagnosis – including pathology, genetics, and disease progression assessment
Treatment Pathways – drugs, clinical trials, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, proton therapy
Lifestyle Support – nutrition and daily health management
Expert Selection: Based on Ms. Wang’s profile, Dr. Norton(alias) at MSKCC was recommended for his unmatched expertise in breast cancer treatment.
Within just five days, all preparations were completed, and a secure video consultation was scheduled.
The Consultation with Dr. Norton(alias)
During the video meeting, Dr. Norton(alias) was both professional and empathetic. He carefully guided the conversation, covering Ms. Wang’s family history, reproductive background, prior therapies, and clinical trajectory.
Dr. Norton’s Medical Insights:
Endocrine Therapy Adjustment
He noted Ms. Wang may be experiencing pseudomenopause (temporary menopause due to chemotherapy).
For a young, premenopausal woman, fulvestrant was not the best option.
He recommended switching to tamoxifen, combined with a CDK4/6 inhibitor, which is clinically proven to be more effective.
Future Options if Endocrine Therapy Fails
Consider elacestrant as a backup.
If progression continues, perform MSKCC’s IMPACT genetic panel testing for advanced molecular profiling.
For HER2-positive cases, use a combination of fulvestrant, neratinib, and trastuzumab.
Chemotherapy could remain a last-line option.
On Radiation and Proton Therapy
At this stage, radiation—including proton therapy—would be ineffective.
Resources should focus instead on systemic therapies rather than pursuing costly overseas proton therapy.
Unique Case Factor
Dr. Norton(alias) suggested that Ms. Wang’s cancer progression may have been accelerated by the high hormonal stimulation of IVF treatment.
Paradoxically, this might make her tumor more sensitive to endocrine therapy, offering a longer potential window of disease control than initially expected.
After the Consultation
Following Dr. Norton’s guidance, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center adjusted Ms. Wang’s treatment regimen in line with his recommendations.
The patient and her family were greatly reassured:
They realized she could continue effective treatment without immediate travel to the U.S.
They gained access to multiple treatment pathways for the future.
They received clear, authoritative guidance from one of the world’s top oncologists.
Extra Value from Medbound HEALTH’s Review
During medical data preparation, Medebound HEALTH’s medical team discovered an error: a radiotherapy report mentioned metastasis in the right breast, which was not supported by pathology. After clarification with the family, it became clear this was a domestic reporting mistake. Catching this discrepancy reinforced the family’s confidence in Medebound HEALTH attention to detail and patient-first approach.
Patient & Family’s Perspective
For Ms. Wang’s family, the consultation was transformative:
They described Dr. Norton(alias) as approachable yet authoritative.
They valued the hopeful outlook—her condition was likely better than it first appeared.
They were relieved that treatment could continue effectively in Asia saving both time and cost.
They expressed gratitude to Medebound HEALTH Medical and pledged to recommend the service to other families in need.
Broader Context: Breast Cancer Survival Rates
United States:
Overall 5-year survival rate: 89%
Early-stage breast cancer cure rate: 98%
Over 80% of cases detected at Stage I
Asia:
Overall 5-year survival rate: often below 60% in many countries
Fewer than 20% of cases detected at Stage I
A significant proportion of patients are diagnosed only after regional spread or metastasis
Contributing factors include limited access to screening, lower public awareness, and delayed treatment availability
This gap underscores the critical importance of early detection and access to global expertise for Chinese patients.
About Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)
Founded 130+ years ago
One of the world’s largest private cancer centers
Among 45 NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers
Ranked among the top two cancer hospitals in the U.S. for 25+ years (U.S. News & World Report)
A leader in research, clinical trials, and pediatric oncology
How Medebound HEALTH Helps
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.
Medebound HEALTH provides a full spectrum of cross-border medical services:
Collection, translation, and preparation of international medical records
Rapid expert selection and appointment scheduling with leading U.S. specialists
Video consultation setup and professional bilingual support
Guidance on whether travel to the U.S. is necessary or not
Access to new drugs in the U.S. with application and usage support in China
Coordination with domestic doctors to implement U.S. expert recommendations
Visa support, hospital connections, and professional accompaniment if treatment abroad is required
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): All Answers You Need to Know
Which doctors can I connect with through Medebound HEALTH?
Medebound HEALTH connects patients with specialists at leading U.S. cancer centers and clinical trial investigators relevant to their specific condition.
Our network includes medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, tumor board members, and research leads from institutions such as MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Mayo Clinic, and Johns Hopkins. Each patient is carefully matched based on tumor type, molecular profile, and treatment goals ensuring the consultation is highly relevant, not generic.
Patients have been introduced directly to chief investigators and program directors who later recommended specific trials or optimized treatment strategies.
Takeaway: You’re connected with the expert most suited to your disease and goals, not just any available doctor.
How quickly can a video second opinion be arranged?
A video consultation can typically be scheduled within 5–7 business days, depending on how quickly complete medical records are received.
Once records arrive, our team handles triage, translation, and expert matching immediately. Urgent cancer cases are fast-tracked for earlier scheduling. Families receive regular updates so they know exactly when to expect the session.
Many patients are booked within the standard timeframe, while urgent cases are often moved up to the earliest available slot.
Takeaway: Fast, prioritized coordination ensures no time is lost when decisions are critical.
Will U.S. doctors’ treatment suggestions be possible to follow in my home country?
In many cases, yes. Medebound HEALTH collaborates closely with your local physicians to adapt U.S. recommendations into practical treatment plans that can be implemented at home.
We share detailed guidance and rationale with your oncology team, helping identify suitable local alternatives when certain drugs or devices aren’t yet available. Where feasible and legally permitted, we assist in exploring compassionate-use programs, importation channels, or trial options.
Numerous patients have successfully implemented U.S.-based treatment plans locally through Medebound HEALTH’s coordination and communication support.
Takeaway: With Medebound’s help, most expert recommendations can be adapted and delivered close to home.
Is proton therapy always the best option for advanced cancer?
Not always. While proton therapy offers benefits for specific localized tumors, it is not automatically the best choice for advanced or metastatic disease.
A remote second opinion evaluates each patient’s full clinical picture—including prior treatments, tumor spread, and overall goals—to determine whether proton therapy or another approach (such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy) would be more effective.
For example, some patients initially pursuing proton therapy were redirected toward systemic targeted options that better matched their disease biology and treatment goals.
Takeaway: The most effective therapy depends on the individual case; a second opinion clarifies whether proton therapy is truly the right path.
How much does a video second opinion cost compared to traveling abroad?
A remote second opinion is significantly more affordable than travelling internationally for an initial consultation.
The service includes expert evaluation, record translation, and a written or live report—without the expenses of airfare, visas, accommodation, or large hospital deposits. By clarifying your best care pathway early, you avoid unnecessary travel and use funds more effectively for treatment or targeted therapies.
Many families have avoided large upfront expenses and redirected those savings toward therapies or trials that directly benefit the patient.
Takeaway: A video second opinion saves substantial costs and ensures travel, if needed, is purposeful and informed.
What if I decide to travel abroad after the video second opinion?
If in-person treatment is recommended, Medebound HEALTH assists with the full transition process—including hospital booking, visa documentation, record transfer, and on-site logistics.
We coordinate with the specialist’s office to confirm appointments, send all required documentation ahead of time, and arrange interpretation and local assistance. Patients receive comprehensive support from pre-departure planning to hospital admission.
Those who traveled after a Medebound consultation often experienced faster admissions and immediate alignment with their recommended care teams.
Takeaway: A remote consultation lays the groundwork for smooth, efficient treatment abroad when travel becomes necessary.
Is my information kept confidential?
Absolutely. Medebound HEALTH upholds strict confidentiality and security standards for all medical data.
All patient records are transmitted and stored using encrypted systems, with access limited to authorized clinicians and case managers only. We comply with international privacy standards, conduct regular security audits, and require explicit patient consent for any record sharing.
Patients consistently express confidence in the safety and integrity of their data throughout the consultation process.
Takeaway: Your medical information is handled with the highest level of privacy and security at every stage.
How do I get Second Opinion?
Getting started is simple. Contact Medebound HEALTH via email, WhatsApp, or our online inquiry form.
Once you reach out, a dedicated case manager will discuss your medical situation, provide a checklist of required documents, and guide you through record collection and translation. You’ll receive a clear cost estimate, timeline, and next steps before the process begins.
Many patients progress from initial inquiry to a scheduled consultation within just a few business days.
Takeaway: Starting your expert second opinion is fast, guided, and stress-free Medebound HEALTH handles every step.
Contact Us to Get Started
Email: support@medeboundhealth.com
Website: www.medeboundhealth.com
WhatsApp: +1 718 213 8508
Submit the form: Click HERE we will get back within 4 hours
Instant Chat: Click the chat button at the lower right corner of this page👇
Submit your case today and connect with MSKCC experts through Medebound HEALTH.
Healthcare transcends borders. With professional guidance and global connections, patients gain access to the world’s best medical expertise without unnecessary travel. For Ms. Wang, one video consultation not only changed her treatment plan but also brought renewed confidence and hope.
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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