How a second opinion works – step by step
From a free meeting to a written report. See how Spearpoint's second opinion works in 8 simple steps – you need to do very little yourself.
Free digital meeting. You decide whether to go ahead.
To create this reassurance, we offer you a second opinion
You have already provided tissue samples. A second opinion from us means that exactly those samples are analysed once more, using a different method How PCAI works, and that the result is gone through with a urologist. You do not need to change doctor, provide new samples or make any decision along the way.
8 steps
from the first meeting to a finished report
2–4 weeks
normal time from order to report
The 8 steps
Book a free meeting.
Click "Book a free meeting" below, where you will get answers to your questions. We go through your situation and what a PCAI analysis could give you. What the analysis costs is also gone through here, before you decide whether you want to go ahead What does it cost?.
Order a Second Opinion.
If, after the meeting, you feel that this is right for you, you can easily order a Second Opinion. We send an agreement and instructions.
We contact your urologist (if you agree to it).
We inform your urologist about the process and work together for the best possible handling. If you do not want to involve your urologist at this stage, that is entirely fine.
We obtain your biopsy images and patient data.
We collect your digitised tissue samples (biopsies) and other relevant information: PSA level PSA levels, age, PI-RADS and existing ISUP grade. You only need to give your consent.
Cancer areas are identified.
Our AI-based cancer detector analyses the tissue samples and identifies suspected areas. The detector is called SPCD, Spearpoint Cancer Detector, and identifies cancerous tissue with over 95 per cent precision.
Analysis with PCAI and medical assessment.
Your data is analysed with PCAI. Our urologist goes through the result, documents it in the medical record and reports back to you in a digital meeting.
You receive a written report.
The report contains a patient section (for you) and a medical section (for your urologist), both clearly presented.
Optional joint urology meeting.
A meeting between your doctor, our urologist and you, to discuss the result together and make sure the best decision is made.
What the result looks like
The report gives the aggressiveness of the cancer as an index between 1 and 100, spread across seven risk levels, together with an image of where the cancer sits in each biopsy.
The patient section is written so that it can be read without a medical background. The medical section is aimed at your urologist and contains the material behind the assessment. Read more about what the index means How PCAI works.
It is wise to ask around
You are welcome to contact us to discuss a second opinion. The meeting is free of charge. If you feel afterwards that this is right for you, you can simply order a second opinion.
How long does it take?
It varies depending on how long it takes to obtain the biopsy images from your laboratory. Normally the whole process from order to written report takes 2–4 weeks.
Waiting a few weeks is rarely a problem medically. For men with low-risk or intermediate-risk cancer there is, from a medical point of view, no hurry about the treatment decision. There is time to obtain a better basis first. Read more about the trade-off between monitoring and treatment Surveillance vs. surgery.
What do you need to do?
As little as possible. You give your consent, and we handle the contact with your hospital and laboratory, obtain the biopsy images and take care of the analysis. You do not need to undergo any new sampling. We use the tissue samples that have already been taken.
Related: What is a second opinion? · How PCAI works · What does it cost?