Prof. Ofer Merimsky

Most of the time — after they already received a diagnosis.

Some patients just want confirmation. Others feel uncertain. And sometimes they simply want someone to explain everything again, in a calmer way.

I don’t think second opinions are unusual. In oncology, it’s actually quite common. Different specialists may suggest different approaches, and that’s normal.

If someone feels unsure, I usually encourage them to ask questions and take time before making decisions.

Sarcomas are not something we see every day.

Because of that, patients often arrive confused. They’ve spoken to several doctors, read information online, and still feel uncertain about the next step.

These tumors can behave differently from other cancers. Treatment decisions are often more complex, and experience becomes important.

Sometimes just reviewing imaging and pathology again can change the overall plan.

Not necessarily.

Some spinal tumors grow slowly and may be monitored. Others require more active treatment. It really depends on the situation.

Patients often assume the worst. That’s understandable. But in practice, every case is different.

The first step is always to understand exactly what we are dealing with.

No, not always.

Treatment options today are very different from what they were years ago. We now have targeted therapies and immunotherapy, which sometimes allow us to avoid surgery.

Of course, surgery is still important in many cases. But not in all of them.

This is why treatment decisions are usually made individually.

This is one of the hardest situations for patients.

But recurrence doesn’t mean the end of treatment options. Medicine continues to move forward. Sometimes new therapies become available.

I often tell patients — we need to review everything again. Sometimes we still find additional possibilities.

Because cancer care is rarely simple.

We often review cases with radiologists, surgeons, and other specialists. Everyone looks at the situation from a slightly different perspective.

This helps us make more balanced decisions.

Patients ask this question often.

And honestly, many complicated cases still have options. Treatment continues to evolve, and new approaches appear.

The most important thing is not to rush. Careful evaluation often helps us find a reasonable path forward.