Dr. Talia Aron balances her dedication to medicine with deep love for her family — her husband, Chad, and their daughters Abby, 15, and Lily, 9. In her professional and personal life, she navigates complexities with expertise and empathy, cherishing every moment. 

Little did she know she would find her life hanging in the balance after an expert medical opinion changed her diagnosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The crucial second opinion ultimately saved her life by directing her to a new treatment path, sparing Dr. Aron the kidney removal initially deemed necessary. 

In the fall of 2023, Aron’s life took an unexpected turn when she began experiencing persistent and severe lower back pain, which she thought was due to frequent flights and stays in uncomfortable hotel beds. The pain's cause turned out to be far more serious. ER imaging revealed a significant mass in her kidney, initially suspected to be an infection. When antibiotics didn't improve her condition, and additional scans showed the mass had grown, doctors feared metastatic cancer. Urgently referred to a urologist, Aron was diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma with the recommended treatment to remove her kidney. 

The importance of medical certainty with a serious diagnosis

Aron shared the diagnosis with her leader, Dr. James Wantuck, Chief Medical Officer, Care, at Accolade. She felt uncertain about the cancer diagnosis due to differing opinions from radiologists and doctors. Wantuck recommended seeking a second opinion through 2nd.MD by Accolade — a benefit offered to Accolade employees at no cost.

"When Dr. Aron shared her diagnosis, I encouraged her to seek a second opinion, a step I would advise anyone I care about," says Wantuck. "For significant health decisions like life-altering diagnoses or major surgeries, consulting an expert is essential. At Accolade, we have access to expert medical opinions as part of our benefits, and I knew it would be valuable for Dr. Aron to hear another expert's perspective.”

Within days, Aron's 2nd.MD Care Advocate gathered all test results and medical records and scheduled a virtual consultation with David Braun, MD, PhD, a genitourinary medical oncologist at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Braun insisted Aron seek treatment at nearby Duke Medical Center. On her behalf, he contacted fellow genitourinary medical oncologist Daniel George, MD, at Duke Cancer Institute and co-leader of the Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers.

At Duke Medical Center, the diagnosis journey for Aron took another alarming turn when a biopsy revealed stage four urothelial carcinoma, unveiling a more aggressive reality. Initially diagnosed as renal cancer, the malignancy had spread to Aron’s kidney, lungs, and lymph nodes, presenting a profoundly challenging road ahead.

Reflecting on the difficult time, Aron shared, "If I hadn’t gone to Duke, the traditional treatment for urothelial carcinoma may have only extended my life by three to six months, a stark contrast to the original prognosis of twelve to eighteen months. It was Christmastime, and all I could think of was my two children."

Access to an innovative treatment

Once correctly diagnosed, Dr. George and the Duke Cancer Institute team were adamant about preserving Aron’s kidney and offered her a chance – a treatment not yet approved by the FDA but critical to her survival. Clinical trials showed considerable promise in extending the lives of patients with urothelial carcinoma by combining the immunotherapy drug Keytruda® with a targeted chemotherapy drug Padsev®.

George and the Duke team went above and beyond to secure a combination of drugs for Aron from two pharmaceutical companies despite the combination needing to be FDA-approved at the time. They convinced the companies to permit the drugs to be combined, enabling Aron to start the innovative treatment in early December. The initial infusion cost $62,000, a sum Duke covered, highlighting the extraordinary lengths the team went to provide care. This effort was crucial, especially considering the treatment's expense and the aggressive nature of Aron's cancer, which was rapidly deteriorating her health. "I was always healthy, but my body was shutting down. My bloodwork was like someone in the ICU,” explained Aron.

A renewed sense of hope

Today, Aron is responding well to treatment. A scan in February showed the kidney tumor shrinking, with the lung tumor and lymph nodes gone. Integrating Dr. Braun from 2nd.MD into her Care Team was crucial. Aron recounts, "Dr. George said that without Dr. Braun's intervention, I wouldn't be here. I saw my husband, pale and tearful, but it's the truth. Without this treatment, I wouldn't be here today, and I wouldn't have received this treatment without a second opinion from 2nd.MD."

As Aron continues her therapy, a renewed sense of hope permeates her family. Her children, who once faced fear and uncertainty, witnessing their mom bedridden and gravely ill, now find solace in her improved condition. Aron's journey through her diagnosis and treatment of stage four urothelial carcinoma underscores the critical importance and the lifesaving potential of second opinions. She credits the expert second opinion — and Wantuck — for saving her life.

"Despite the challenges and uncertainties of what is ahead for me, the essence of my journey isn't lost. It's about the genuine impact and the realization that I wouldn't be here today without the support and collaboration of remarkable individuals like Dr. Wantuck, Dr. Braun, and Dr. George. This journey has granted me precious time with my family, a gift I'm eternally grateful for," says Aron.

2nd.MD by Accolade can help your employees understand their diagnosis and make informed decisions about their treatment. Contact us to learn more.