How to get a second opinion for terminal cancer in NHS hospital

[Anonymous1313]

I need advice. My uncle was taken to hospital over 2 months ago, as he was vomiting and was yellow. He hasn't stopped vomiting since being in hospital and is being fed through a feeding tube. He's had multiple biopsies and tests while there, but no treatment. He was told yesterday he has cancer, but they can't find it and he's got weeks left to live. They said he is now so weak he can't have treatment.The level of care has been atrocious and I just want to at least get him a second opinion. Does anyone know how to do this on the NHS? He is so ill he cannot leave the hospital by himself, he can barely talk. Is there a way of paying for a private consultant to visit him in hospital? Will they be able to access his scan results?

Apologies for this because you are obviously very upset but what are you wanting from a second opinion? If he is yellow then he has pretty severe liver failure, which implies either advanced cancer or another very severe terminal disease.
A second opinion wont change the terminal diagnosis.

You can just request a second opinion. Everyone is entitled to one. You can also use Martha’s Law (google this) to have a complete review of treatment. But it does sound as though - sadly - your Uncle is at the end of his life. I’m sorry.

What would you want from a second opinion, it sadly doesn’t sound as if knowing where the primary site is would be of any benefit at this stage

Do you have Health LPoA for him ?
After two months in hospital hes likely to have been seen by multiple consultants and doctors already, and with a cancer diagnosis his case should have been discussed at least once by a MDT (Multi-disciplinary Team) to see what treatment (if any) is appropriate.

I mean cancer can sometimes be hard to find. It sounds like they’ve tried to find it and finally have. Do you think their diagnosis is wrong?

It sounds very complicated and it is likely that he has been seen by multiple consultants already. Cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions are all made via an MDT which as multiple consultants from different specialties present as well.

From your description he sounds very ill and so very unlikely to be well enough for any form of cancer treatment. If they have found cancer on his biopsies but no primary, then his diagnosis would be 'cancer of unknown primary' - this is very difficult to treat even in someone well, and often very aggressive and fast moving.

I am guessing that as he is your uncle, he has other relatives who are closer than you? As an adult with capacity, albeit a very unwell one, any request for a second opinion would have to come from your uncle himself or someone he asked to organise for him.

Sadly it is very unlikely that a second opinion now is going to change the outcome for him. If he wants one, he can ask his treating team for one, they won't be phased as it is very common in oncology.

Thanks everyone, appreciate the honest responses. I don't need anymore answers now.