Second Opinion MD Anderson, MSK Comparison and Options for International Patients
- Medebound HEALTH
- Jun 2
- 11 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Author: Medical Editor Iris
Introduction:
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and seeking a second opinion is a critical step to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Two of the world’s leading cancer centers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), offer renowned second opinion services. Additionally, Medebound HEALTH provides a unique platform to facilitate second opinions, particularly for International patients (currently we are mostly serving Asian patients) . This blog post compares the second opinion services of these institutions, with a focus on their offerings, accessibility, and support for oversea patients.
Why Seek a Second Opinion?
A second opinion can confirm a diagnosis, refine treatment plans, or introduce alternative therapies, such as clinical trials. Studies, like one conducted at MSK, show that second opinions can lead to changes in treatment for approximately one in three patients, often resulting in less invasive options that improve quality of life. For Asian patients, cultural and linguistic considerations, as well as access to top-tier care, are vital when navigating this process. Below, we explore how MD Anderson, MSK, and Medebound HEALTH to these needs.
Comparison of Second Opinion Services
The following table compares the second opinion services offered by MD Anderson, MSK, and Medebound HEALTH, highlighting key aspects such as delivery mode, language support, and specific benefits for Asian patients.
Feature | MD Anderson | Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) | Medebound HEALTH |
Location | Houston, TX, with additional locations in Arizona, New Jersey, and international affiliates in Spain and Turkey. | New York, NY, with outpatient facilities in New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester. | Online platform, connecting patients globally with U.S.-based specialists, including those from MD Anderson and MSK. |
Second Opinion Delivery | In-person only, treated as standard new patient appointments. Includes blood tests, imaging, and tissue evaluations over several days. | In-person and remote (telemedicine) options available. Remote opinions are ideal for patients unable to travel to New York. | Fully remote, offering virtual consultations with top U.S. specialists. Provides a turnkey solution for second opinions and full coordination of onsite visits. |
Specialization | Specializes in over 200 cancer types, with 12 pathologists dedicated to breast cancer alone. Known for extensive clinical trial programs. | Treats over 400 cancer types, with expertise in rare cancers like sarcoma. Renowned for pathology and radiology reviews. | Access to Director-level and Chair-level specialists from multiple top-tier U.S. hospitals, offering diverse expertise tailored to specific cancer types. |
Language Support | Limited information on interpreter services, but patient access representatives assist with appointment coordination. | Free interpreters available in-person or by phone in any language, 24/7. Translation of medical records also offered. | Multilingual medical record integration, assembling non-English records into coherent summaries. Supports Mandarin and other languages with culturally sensitive care. |
Cost | On site second opinion only: Estimated $20,000–$42,000, with a cash discount for self-pay. Some insurance plans cover consultations. | Remote second opinion:Consultations around $3000-5000, with pathology reviews up to. Remote options may reduce travel expenses. Self-pay | Premium pricing for families seeking speed, clarity, and concierge-level service. Costs vary but are often lower than in-person visits. Self-pay. |
Support for Asian Patients | International affiliates in Asia (e.g., Turkey), but no specific programs for Asian patients mentioned. | International patient liaisons assist with logistics, including housing and cultural needs, but no Asia-specific programs. | Specializes in serving Asian patients with Mandarin-speaking coordinators, multilingual data infrastructure, and culturally sensitive care for seamless communication. |
Clinical Trials | Enrolled nearly 7,600 patients in therapeutic clinical trials in 2014, one of the largest programs globally. | Offers access to clinical trials, with specialists recommending trials for advanced or rare cancers. | Facilitates access to clinical trials through Director-level specialists, with end-to-end coordination for potential onsite visits. |
Processing Time | Total 4-6 weeks: 2-3 weeks appointment and another 2-3 weeks on-site due to comprehensive testing and multiple physician consultations. | Varies; remote opinions may be faster (2–4 weeks for some cases), while in-person visits involve coordination with specialists. | Significantly faster turnaround than most hospitals (including MSK) due to a 5:1 staff-to-patient ratio and instant messaging support. |
Patient Support | Standard patient access representatives for appointment coordination. | International liaisons provide logistical support; communication primarily via email or phone. | White-glove communication with instant messaging support, offering real-time updates and personalized care, 24/7. |
MD Anderson Second Opinion Services
MD Anderson, located in Houston, Texas, is a global leader in cancer care, consistently ranked among the top two cancer hospitals in the U.S. Their second opinion process is thorough, involving in-person appointments that include blood tests, imaging, and pathology reviews. Approximately 25% of patients receive a change in diagnosis, which can significantly impact treatment options. However, MD Anderson does not offer remote second opinions, requiring patients to travel to one of their locations. For Asian patients, there is limited information on language-specific support, but their international affiliates in regions like Turkey may provide some accessibility.
Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Second Opinion Services
MSK, based in New York City, is another top-tier cancer center, known for treating over 400 cancer types and offering both in-person and remote second opinions. Their telemedicine option is particularly valuable for patients who cannot travel. MSK provides free interpreter services in any language, making it accessible for Asian patients. A 2023 study at MSK found that one in three patients experienced a treatment change, often to less intense options, improving quality of life. International patient liaisons assist with logistics, such as housing and cultural considerations, but communication is primarily via email or phone, and turnaround times can range from 2–4 weeks for some cases.
Medebound HEALTH: How Our Second Opinion Service Stands Out
Medebound HEALTH offers a premium, virtual platform that connects patients, particularly from Asia, with Director-level and Chair-level specialists from top U.S. hospitals, including MD Anderson and MSK. Our service is designed to provide unparalleled convenience, speed, and cultural sensitivity, setting us apart from MSK and other major U.S. hospitals. Here’s how our second opinion service stands out:
Multilingual Medical Record Integration:
We specialize in assembling non-English medical records into a clear, clinically coherent summary. Our infrastructure supports seamless translation, clinical interpretation, and formatting to meet U.S. specialist standards.
White-Glove Communication and Support
Unlike most hospitals, including MSK, that rely on email for updates and inquiries, we provide instant, personalised messaging support throughout the second opinion process. Patients and families can reach our team and receive timely updates, 24/7.
Access to Director-Level Specialists Across Institutions
We offer a carefully curated network of Director-level and Chair-level physicians from multiple top-tier U.S. hospitals (not just one institution), giving patients access to diverse perspectives from leading experts.
Turnkey Second Opinion + Onsite Visit Integration
For families considering travel to the U.S. for treatment, we provide an end-to-end solution from digital second opinions to full coordination of medical appointments, logistics, and interpretation during onsite visits.
Faster Turnaround Times
Our team maintains a 5:1 staff-to-patient ratio, ensuring that each case is handled with urgency and precision. Most cases receive a completed second opinion significantly faster than the 2–4 week average turnaround time typical at major hospitals like MSK.
Premium Service for Time-Sensitive Families
We are designed for families who prioritize speed, clarity, professionalism, and convenience. Our premium pricing reflects our concierge-level support, efficiency, and peace of mind for decision-makers.
Multilingual Data Infrastructure for Global Families
Beyond translation, our medical data infrastructure helps patients organize and summarise complex records across languages, formats, and systems providing physicians a unified clinical picture and ensuring nothing gets lost in translation.
These features make Medebound an ideal choice for Asian patients seeking a convenient, high-quality second opinion without the logistical challenges of international travel.
Video consultation case | Connecting with the chairman of breast cancer at MSKCC in the United States, adjusting the treatment plan to bring new hope to patients with advanced cancer
The patient's family looked through the hospital and the doctor's resume in detail and immediately paid to start the service. With the assistance of Meten, the patient provided more than 100 pages of medical records and imaging materials. Before the video consultation, Meten helped the patient sort out three questions he wanted to ask the professor: first, diagnosis (including pathology and advanced therapy as well as current progress analysis); second, treatment, next-stage new drugs, clinical trials, targeted drugs, and immune drugs; third, nutrition and daily life precautions. He also hoped to get the professor's advice on whether it was necessary to go to the United States for medical treatment next.
After preliminary case preparation and translation, and then transmission to American doctors, Ms. Wang and her family successfully met with Professor DR. Norton of MSKCC 5 days after the service was launched.
During the consultation, Dr. Norton carefully inquired about the patient's family history, fertility status, and the course of the disease. Through a series of inquiries before and after breast cancer treatment, the professor concluded that the patient's breast cancer was due to the accelerated progression of breast cancer due to excessive use of hormones during in vitro fertilization.
He expressed support for the use of endocrine therapy now, but in view of the patient's young age and not yet menopausal, he questioned the use of the drug Fulvestrant and told the patient that chemotherapy-induced menopause is often short-lived. Therefore, if the patient did not receive tamoxifen between breast surgery and the onset of stage IV disease, it is recommended to adjust the current drug regimen and replace Fulvestrant with tamoxifen. It may be wiser to use it in combination with a CDK4/6 inhibitor.
Professor Norton pointed out that if endocrine therapy fails, Elacestrant is a future alternative. If the tumor continues to progress, Dr. Norton recommended the IMPACT Advance package developed by MSKCC Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and told him that this Advance detection technology is very powerful. If HER2 is positive, you can consider the combined use of Fulvestrant, Neratinib and Trastuzumab for treatment. If all the above options are used, chemotherapy can be used as a last resort.
Fortunately, Professor Norton believes that since the tumor may accelerate its progression due to the high hormone stimulation of IVF, it may be extremely sensitive to endocrine therapy, which indicates that the disease can be controlled for a longer time. Professor Norton informed that if advanced therapy testing is needed later, a biopsy tissue can be taken from the liver and sent to MSKCC for testing. Regarding the other two questions raised by the patient, Professor Norton believes that radiotherapy (including protons) is currently useless for the patient. At present, it is only necessary to receive treatment in China first, and then go to the United States if necessary.
The client was very satisfied with the doctor’s results and said that he would recommend Meten Medical to his friends who need help.
Remote consultation expert from the United States: Top expert in rare ovarian cancer at the MD Anderson Cancer Center
Consultation opinion : Propose a curative treatment plan: high-dose chemotherapy and originated transplantation, with a cure rate of 30%-50%, or even higher
Comparison before and after consultation : The patient and his family were satisfied with the consultation results, and carefully evaluated the plan and costs, and considered going abroad for treatment in the future
When 33-year-old Ms. Lin (pseudonym) found us, she had already undergone three operations and six chemotherapy sessions. Now she was facing the recurrence of the tumor. The diagnosis from Peking Union Medical College Hospital clearly stated: recurrence of yolk sac cancer after surgery.
Ms. Lin (pseudonym)'s attending physician in China is Professor Yang, a top expert in ovarian cancer treatment at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, who has an authoritative position in Asia. After the patient received surgery and radiotherapy and chemotherapy from experts at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, her condition recurred, and the recurrent lesions were still concentrated in the same area. Faced with the difficult condition, Professor Yang of Peking Union Medical College Hospital remembered a top expert specializing in rare ovarian cancer who he met when he went to the United States for further studies, and recommended the patient to contact the Anderson Cancer Center in the United States to seek help from American professors. However, their contact with the authoritative experts at Anderson was not responded to, so they turned to seek support from the professional international medical service agency, Meten Medical.
During the consultation, the leading experts from the Anderson Cancer Center reviewed the patient's medical history and examination results, and discussed the treatment options for yolk sac cancer, including new therapies, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. Unfortunately, however, the experts said that the current effects of these options are not ideal, and the patient's tumor does not have a targetable advanced therapy mutation. In view of the patient's situation, the Anderson experts in the United States proposed a bold curative plan, namely, high-dose chemotherapy and originated transplantation, which has a cure rate of 30%-50%, or even higher. At present, such treatment cannot be performed in China, and only a few institutions in the United States have experience, but this will provide young patients with the best chance of cure. Anderson experts suggested that the transplant doctor/team should be consulted as soon as possible to obtain more information, and then planned and supervised by a professional transplant doctor or team; regarding high-dose radiotherapy, the most common chemotherapy regimen is high-dose etoposide + carboplatin.
In addition, experts from Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Anderson also discussed whether to consider surgical removal of high-metabolic nodules before high-dose chemotherapy and originated transplantation. Professor Yang from Union Medical College Hospital provided additional information, pointing out that the area had been treated with radiation therapy, so surgery would be difficult. Based on this information and the size of the small nodule, both parties agreed that surgery was not recommended .
Finally, the Anderson expert from the United States expressed his gratitude to Dr. Yang, the translator, the patient and her family for participating in this important consultation, and wished Ms. Lin (the patient) all the best and hoped that she would have a good outcome with the most advanced treatment methods.
The consultation ended successfully. Two days later, the Medical Department of United Medical compiled Professor Anderson's written report and submitted the Chinese and English consultation reports and medical records to the patient.
Which Option is Best for You?
Choosing between MD Anderson, MSK, and Medebound depends on your specific needs:
MD Anderson: Ideal for patients who can travel to Houston and prefer a comprehensive, in-person evaluation with access to extensive clinical trials.
MSK: Best for those seeking flexibility with remote or in-person options and robust language support, particularly for complex or rare cancers.
Medebound HEALTH: Perfect for Asian patients prioritizing speed, premium concierge service, and culturally sensitive care without leaving their home country. Our turnkey solution, elite specialist access, and multilingual infrastructure make us ideal for those seeking a hassle-free experience.
For Asian patients, Medebound’s virtual platform, multilingual data infrastructure, and white-glove service make it a compelling choice, especially for those facing barriers to international travel. However, if proximity to a top cancer center or access to specific clinical trials is a priority, MD Anderson or MSK may be more suitable.
Contact Us:
Email: support@medeboundhealth.com
Website: www.medeboundhealth.com
Whats App: +1 7182138508
Conclusion
A second opinion can be a game-changer in your cancer care journey, offering clarity and confidence in your treatment plan. MD Anderson and MSK are world-class institutions with exceptional expertise, while Medebound HEALTH provides a unique, accessible, and premium solution tailored for Asian patients. By understanding the strengths of each option, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your medical, cultural, and logistical needs. Always consult with your primary care provider and insurance to explore coverage options before proceeding.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for professional medical advice tailored to your specific condition and circumstances. The comparison of second opinion services is based on publicly available information and may not reflect the most current offerings or policies. Costs, services, and availability are subject to change, and insurance coverage varies by provider and plan. Readers are encouraged to verify details directly with the respective organisations before making decisions. The author and publisher are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of this information.
Comments