Second Opinion · NYC
Prostate Cancer Second Opinion in NYC
A prostate cancer second opinion is an independent review of your PSA, prostate MRI, biopsy pathology, and any proposed treatment plan, with a discussion of all treatment options that fit your specific cancer and anatomy. Most prostate cancer decisions are not urgent, and a second opinion is one of the highest-value steps a patient can take before choosing surveillance, focal therapy, robotic surgery, or radiation.
Dr. Wei Phin Tan offers prostate cancer second opinions in NYC at NYU Langone Health, Main Campus in Manhattan. Because he performs active surveillance, HIFU, cryoablation, Aliya PEF, precision robotic prostatectomy, and rectal spacer placement before radiation, the second opinion is not biased toward any single modality.
Independent Review
Full Spectrum of Treatment
NYU Langone · Manhattan
"My job in a second opinion is not to talk you out of one treatment or into another. My job is to make sure you understand every reasonable option, and that the plan you choose actually fits your cancer."- Dr. Wei Phin Tan, MD, MHS, FACS
When to Consider a Prostate Cancer Second Opinion
- You have a new diagnosis of prostate cancer and want to understand all options before choosing treatment
- You were told you need surgery and want to know if active surveillance or focal therapy is appropriate
- You were told you need radiation and want to discuss whether rectal spacer placement is right for you
- You have a Gleason 6 (Grade Group 1) or low-volume Gleason 3+4 (Grade Group 2) cancer and want to learn about active surveillance
- You have a PI-RADS 4 or PI-RADS 5 lesion and want to discuss biopsy and treatment strategy
- Your PSA is rising after prior treatment and you want to discuss salvage options including salvage cryoablation or salvage prostatectomy
- You want a urologic oncologist who performs the full spectrum of treatments to review your plan
What a Second Opinion Visit Includes
- Detailed history covering urinary, sexual, and bowel function, family history, and prior treatments
- Review of PSA history with attention to PSA density, kinetics, and any recent changes
- Re-review of prostate MRI by NYU Langone radiology when appropriate, including PI-RADS lesion mapping
- Re-review of biopsy pathology by NYU Langone pathology when slides are available, since Gleason grade and cribriform / intraductal pattern can change recommendations
- Discussion of every reasonable treatment option that fits the cancer, with honest comparison of expected oncologic outcomes and side-effect profiles
- Personalized recommendation aligned with the patient's values and quality-of-life priorities
- Coordination with radiation oncology, medical oncology, genetics, and other specialists when needed
Treatment Options Reviewed
Because Dr. Tan personally performs each of these, second opinions include a frank discussion of:
- Active surveillance for low-risk and favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer
- HIFU focal therapy using the Focal One machine
- Cryoablation, including salvage cryoablation after radiation
- Aliya pulsed electric field (PEF) ablation
- Precision robotic prostatectomy with long urethral-sparing technique
- SpaceOAR and Barrigel rectal spacer placement and gold fiducial markers before radiation
- Coordination with NYU Langone radiation oncology for CyberKnife, IMRT, brachytherapy, or proton therapy
What to Bring to Your Second Opinion
- PSA history (all values, with dates)
- Multiparametric prostate MRI report and imaging disc / electronic copy
- Prostate biopsy pathology report and slides when available
- Operative or radiation treatment records, if applicable
- List of medications and significant medical history
- Any genetic or germline testing results
Sending these records ahead of your visit allows the consultation to focus on decision-making rather than gathering information.
FAQ
Why get a second opinion for prostate cancer?
A second opinion can confirm the diagnosis, validate the treatment plan, or open up options that the first physician does not offer. A urologic oncologist who performs the full spectrum of treatments helps ensure the recommendation matches the patient, not the treatments a single practice happens to offer.
How long does a second opinion appointment take?
A new patient second opinion visit typically takes 30 to 45 minutes when records are sent in advance. Time is spent reviewing the data, discussing options, and answering questions.
Will Dr. Tan repeat my biopsy?
Not always. A repeat biopsy is only recommended when there is clinical discordance, for example an MRI lesion that does not match the biopsy result, or for focal therapy planning to map the cancer-bearing region precisely. When a repeat biopsy is needed, Dr. Tan performs office-based transperineal MRI fusion biopsy under local anesthesia.
Can I get a second opinion if I have already had treatment?
Yes. Many second opinions are for men with rising PSA after prior surgery or radiation. Dr. Tan reviews the original pathology, the post-treatment course, and current imaging (often including PSMA PET) to guide the next step.
What if my MRI or biopsy was done outside of NYU Langone?
Outside MRI and biopsy slides can be re-reviewed at NYU Langone when clinically appropriate. Dr. Tan's office can help coordinate this transfer.
Selected Evidence (Dr. Tan's Published Work)
Dr. Tan has co-authored consensus statements and clinical trials shaping how prostate cancer is staged, biopsied, and treated.
- Woo S, Tong A, Becker AS, et al. Evaluating indeterminate bone lesions and lymph nodes on PSMA-PET: a multidisciplinary consensus algorithm. European Radiology. 2026. PMID 41493546
- Ng ABCD, Asif A, Agarwal R, et al. Biparametric vs Multiparametric MRI for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: The PRIME Diagnostic Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2025;334(13):1170-1179. PMID 40928788
- Marra G, Laguna MP, Walz J, et al. Molecular biomarkers in the context of focal therapy for prostate cancer: recommendations of a Delphi Consensus from the Focal Therapy Society. Minerva Urology and Nephrology. 2022. PMID 33439577