Our experience might interest or help someone else.
My husband’s bladder cancer was described as “rare” apparently because aggressive-type tumours were identified, but were confined to a diverticulum. Removal was successful, (margins were clear) and lymph nodes were clear. No signs of any spread. Both his family doctor and his urologist thought a second opinion on the pathology report would be worthwhile.
The second opinion was from Johns Hopkins (Dr. Epstein) and was arranged by sending the pathology slides there and waiting a few days. It is not necessary to go there in person. We have not yet had the bill, but have been told it will be around $250.00 plus couriers.
If you explore the website for Johns Hopkins you can see how well set up they are for second opinions. We were surprised by how fast this was, how reasonable in cost, and how useful. (The second report confirmed the first report, and added a little detail.) Now surgery is no longer being considered,because there is nothing to remove, but we see the medical oncologist next week for further recommendations. We are guessing that chemo will be recommended.
Interesting that the local specialist, Dr. Eric Hyndman,had either trained or worked at Johns Hopkins, with Dr. Epstein and Dr. Mark Schoenberg, and knew how excellent they would be.