biopsy staging - two different readings and pediatric vs adult MD for 14 yo?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I just found out that the place I took my son for a second opinion read his

biopsy and got different results......the results are better, but now I'm really

confused. I know there are different scales. The first place scored 0-4 and

the second 0-6. I know it's not the numbers, but the description of the damage

that is most important. First place said stage 2-3 (fibrosis plus some

bridging). Second place said stage 2 (moderate inflamation and portal fibrosis

but NO bridging.)

I've rulled out both of these hospitals as somewhere for treatment for various

reasons. I really liked the 3rd. place we went to. They will be reading the

biopsy themselves and I'll probably be more confident with their reading.

OMG........Am I about to put my little boy through hell because of the wrong

information????? That scares me to death. I'm waiting to get the slides back

from the second place to send them to the 3rd.

We've now seen two adult hepatologists (one rulled out, one I liked), the

original pediatric GI doc who recommended the biopsy (NOT going there for

treatment), and will see two pediatric hepatologists next week.

My son just turned 14 but is a big kid - 5' 6 " and 160 pounds. If we have a

choice of places(the pediatric expert at Hopkins said he needs all 3 drugs and

some places won't prescribe the new drugs for a child, Hopkins won't take his

insurance), I'm leaning towards an adult specialist because of thier familarity

with the side effects of the drugs. Pediatric folks would know kids better, but

I'm questioning if that matters as much as knowing the meds/side effect

management/etc.

Any info, suggestions, etc. on these two things would be greatly appreciated!

MM

[Guest guest]

Thanks Don! I will get the next place to explain the difference and make sure

I'm clear on how the two results differ or are similar.

Thanks for the kind words too....I love this " little-big " boy with all my heart.

Sometimes I forget I didn't give birth to him. He's just mine. I'll try and

remember what you said about " not putting him through hell " ...I want him to be

happy and healthy - I'll try and concentrate on that.

Many Thanks,

MM

>

>

> From: mightysmom <mightysmom@...>

> Subject: [ ] biopsy staging - two different readings and

pediatric vs adult MD for 14 yo?

>

> Date: Friday, April 29, 2011, 8:52 PM

>

>

> Hi,

>

> I just found out that the place I took my son for a second opinion read his

biopsy and got different results......the results are better, but now I'm really

confused.  I know there are different scales.  The first place scored 0-4 and

the second 0-6.  I know it's not the numbers, but the description of the damage

that is most important.  First place said stage 2-3 (fibrosis plus some

bridging).  Second place said stage 2 (moderate inflamation and portal fibrosis

but NO bridging.)

>

> I've rulled out both of these hospitals as somewhere for treatment for various

reasons.  I really liked the 3rd. place we went to.  They will be reading the

biopsy themselves and I'll probably be more confident with their reading.

>

> OMG........Am I about to put my little boy through hell because of the wrong

information?????  That scares me to death.  I'm waiting to get the slides back

from the second place to send them to the 3rd. 

>

> We've now seen two adult hepatologists (one rulled out, one I liked), the

original pediatric GI doc who recommended the biopsy (NOT going there for

treatment), and will see two pediatric hepatologists next week. 

>

> My son just turned 14 but is a big kid - 5' 6 " and 160 pounds. If we have a

choice of places(the pediatric expert at Hopkins said he needs all 3 drugs and

some places won't prescribe the new drugs for a child, Hopkins won't take his

insurance), I'm leaning towards an adult specialist because of thier familarity

with the side effects of the drugs.  Pediatric folks would know kids better, but

I'm questioning if that matters as much as knowing the meds/side effect

management/etc. 

>

> Any info, suggestions, etc. on these two things would be greatly appreciated!

>

> MM

>

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>