You have been told "inoperable"
...without being assessed by a multidisciplinary team expert in high-complexity surgical oncology.
Reviewed by Dr. François Quenet and Dr. Juan José Torrent. Updated: May 26, 2026
Online second opinion
Get a second opinion for your cancer from an expert team
Greater experience in high-complexity oncological surgery can change your prognosis. We review cases of cancer of the colon, rectum, stomach, liver, pancreas, gynaecological cancer, sarcoma or peritoneal carcinomatosis, especially if you have been told "inoperable" or "palliative chemotherapy only".
International team · Montpellier · MSKCC
Principal Investigator PRODIGE-7 (The Lancet)
3,000+ complex oncological surgeries
Up to 30% of "inoperable" cases are actually operable
Your medical data is protected. The documentation review is carried out by the multidisciplinary committee specialised in your tumour type.
Your right to a second opinion
A second medical opinion is a patient right recognised in Spain by Law 41/2002 on Patient Autonomy (art. 4.2) and across the EU by Directive 2011/24/EU on cross-border healthcare. We review your case in writing within 3-5 business days and tell you whether the proposed treatment is the most appropriate for your current situation.
Cancers we treat
Is your cancer one of the ones we review?
We are sub-specialised in high-complexity oncological surgery. These are the cancers for which we offer a second opinion:
Colon and rectal cancer
Includes liver metastases, pelvic recurrence and robotic surgery.
Second opinion →Stomach and oesophageal cancer
Gastric adenocarcinoma, GIST and carcinomatosis of gastric origin.
Second opinion →Liver cancer and liver metastases
Hepatocellular carcinoma, ALPPS technique and two-stage hepatectomy.
Second opinion →Pancreatic and bile-duct cancer
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.
Second opinion →Gynaecological cancer
Ovarian, uterine and carcinomatosis of ovarian origin.
Second opinion →Peritoneal carcinomatosis
HIPEC and PIPAC. PRODIGE-7 team. More than 3,000 procedures.
Second opinion →Pseudomyxoma and peritoneal mesothelioma
PSOGI-GECOP reference centre in rare peritoneal disease.
Second opinion →Retroperitoneal sarcoma
Multivisceral resection and care at a sarcoma-expert centre.
Second opinion →Is your case a different one? Write to us and we will tell you if we can help.
When to ask
When to seek a second opinion in surgical oncology
If you find any of these scenarios in your medical report, a second opinion can change decisions.
Palliative chemotherapy upfront
You are offered palliative chemotherapy without first being assessed for a surgical option with curative intent.
Multivisceral resection or pelvic exenteration
Your surgery requires a complex technique and you are referred to a centre performing fewer than 50 cases/year of that procedure.
Multiple liver metastases
You are told they are "unresectable" without a recent contrast-enhanced CT, liver MRI and an updated PET-CT.
Retroperitoneal sarcoma
Only systemic treatment is proposed, with no surgical assessment by a sarcoma-focused team.
Pseudomyxoma or peritoneal mesothelioma
You are diagnosed at a centre that is not a PSOGI / GECOP reference and the team treating you is not an expert in the disease.
It is not about disagreeing with your doctor. It is about getting more information so you can make better decisions.
How it works
The process, in 4 steps
From uploading your reports to the final written report with a clear recommendation.
1
Upload your medical reports
Encrypted uploader · ~5 minutes
Exact list of documents we need:
- Recent contrast-enhanced CT scan (ideally <3 months).
- MRI if applicable (liver, full abdomen, pelvis).
- PET-CT if available.
- Complete pathology of previous biopsies.
- Latest report from your treating medical oncologist.
- Recent labs with tumour markers (CEA, CA-125, CA 19-9, etc.).
We accept PDF and DICOM. TLS encrypted connection. Data stored under GDPR and medical confidentiality.
2
A multidisciplinary tumour board reviews your case
3-5 business days
Professionals who review each case:
- Oncological surgeons specialised in your tumour type.
- Medical oncologist.
- Radiologist specialised in oncology.
- Radiation oncologist.
- Pathologist.
3
In-person or video consultation with the surgeon
If you are happy with the initial assessment and want to move forward, we schedule an in-person or video consultation with the surgeon who would perform the operation. It is the moment to understand your disease in depth and resolve any doubts.
4
Receive your written report
After the consultation you will receive a report including:
- Resectability assessed via the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI), where applicable.
- Recommended technique: type of surgery and clinical rationale.
- Expected morbi-mortality based on published literature for your tumour origin.
- Realistic prognosis in ranges, citing a specific scientific reference.
- Clear recommendation: surgery / alternative technique / non-surgical.
Team
Who reviews your case
The medical team at Quenet Torrent Institute is an international reference in high-complexity surgical oncology.
Dr. François Quenet
Medical Director · Oncological surgeon
Principal Investigator of the PRODIGE-7 trial (The Lancet Oncology, 2021), one of the most-cited studies on HIPEC worldwide. Over 3,000 HIPEC procedures performed. Past board member of the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI). Consults in Spanish, French and English.
View full profile
Dr. Juan José Torrent Correa
Co-Medical Director · Oncological surgeon
Specialist in cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC, PIPAC and robotic oncological surgery. Over 20 years of experience and more than 2,000 oncological surgeries performed. Consults at Hospital Memorial Publio Cordón (Madrid) and Centro Médico Teknon (Barcelona).
View full profile
Prof. Luis González Bayón
Oncological surgeon
Tenured Professor of Surgical Pathology (UCM). PhD UCM 2000. European Board of Surgery Qualification in Surgical Oncology (Paris, 2005). Past President of SEOQ. Sub-specialised in retroperitoneal sarcomas and peritoneal carcinomatosis.
View full profileRest of the team: Dr. Fabrizio Panaro (hepatobiliary surgery), Dr. Clara Montagut (medical oncology), Dr. Pablo Lozano, Dr. Carlos Rodríguez, Dr. Patricia Tejedor. · See the full team →
Where do we operate?
If surgery is recommended after the second opinion, we operate at two high-complexity private hospitals. The same surgeon who reviews your case performs the operation.
Video consultation also available: you can start with a secure video call with the surgeon who would assess your case, without travelling.
Barcelona
Centro Médico Teknon
Internationally recognised private hospital in Barcelona where the team carries out its high-complexity surgical oncology activity.
View hospital
Madrid
Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital
Private hospital in Pozuelo de Alarcón with a multidisciplinary team specialised in digestive surgical oncology and cutting-edge surgical technology.
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Verified reviews
See on Google
★★★★★
What our patients say
L
4 weeks ago
★★★★★
Wonderful surgical team, among the best out there. Dr. Torrent (expert in peritoneal carcinomatosis) is an exceptional surgeon and an even better person. His coordinator is super kind, fast and efficient. The human treatment is great and the results are too. This is of vital importance for cancer patients.
K
5 months ago
★★★★★
In the public healthcare system they gave my father a maximum of one year to live. They only offered him chemo and no hope, said it was impossible, that nothing could be done. He had several tumors inside the peritoneal sac with metastases. A year and a half later he is clean, completely cured. His latest PET scan came back clean. We are very happy. Thanks to Dr. Torrent and his team. THANK YOU.
M
A year ago
★★★★★
Excellent professionals, especially Dr. Torrent, attentive at all times to the patient (my wife), operated for peritoneal pseudomyxoma. They helped us with all our needs since we came from outside Barcelona. Thank you Elisabeth. We are very grateful to Quenet Torrent Institute, thank you for everything.
P
2 years ago
★★★★★
I am a 63-year-old patient. They detected adrenal gland cancer and told me there was nothing to be done. I sought a second opinion and they told me about the Quenet Torrent team, specialists in complex operations. Dr. Torrent, from the first moment, told me they could operate. They operated and removed a large tumor mass. I spent a week in the ICU and a month on the ward. Every day he came morning and evening, no matter Saturday or Sunday. Never throw in the towel. I am happy to have found these professionals who gave me my life back. Thank you.
I
3 years ago
★★★★★
Many thanks for your attention. Dr. Torrent always attentive, involved and decisive. The reception staff very pleasant and always offering the best option. 100% RECOMMENDED. THANK YOU.
M
5 years ago
★★★★★
Dr. Torrent helped me make the best decision at a difficult moment. I think he is a great professional and a person capable of accompanying you and putting himself in another's shoes. Thank you for everything.
F
6 years ago
★★★★★
I have peritoneal carcinomatosis. Sending my diagnosis to every center, practically all agreed on palliative chemo with little survival time since I had very aggressive cell types. Until we reached Dr. Quenet, Dr. Torrent and their team. I can only confirm what their CV announces: they are far ahead of the rest. They saved my life, at surgery the harmful cells everyone diagnosed (and used to refuse to operate) were not there. This intervention has become the best investment of my life.
M
6 years ago
★★★★★
The best decision of my life was finding this excellent team of surgeons who saved my husband's life. At a prestigious international clinic in Madrid he was given up for lost with advanced peritoneal carcinomatosis from appendiceal cancer, and thanks to them, the best professionals in this field, he was operated on very successfully. A perfect recovery with no complications, because they were on top of his progress at all times. They have a great quality: from the start they were very honest and close. I can only be deeply grateful; we went to buy time and thanks to them my husband got his life back.
E
7 years ago
★★★★★
Dr. Torrent is a brilliant surgeon and a very easy-going and polite doctor. When talking with him you can easily grasp his qualities as a professional and human being: perseverance, innate curiosity and passion for learning, humility, honesty and empathy. Having surgery is always an intense experience, anxieties arise and one feels very vulnerable. All of that being said, as his ex-patient I can assure that throughout the process his care and professionalism were absolutely outstanding. I felt safe, supported by him, knowing I was in good hands. I will be forever grateful. Moltes gràcies Dr. Torrent!
Real cases
Patient testimonies and surgery explanations
Real testimonies from patients treated by our team in high-complexity surgical oncology.
Debra's case
66-year-old English woman with advanced ovarian cancer and peritoneal metastases. Treated with cytoreduction + HIPEC, she is now disease-free.
Read the full caseRosario (Charo)'s case
73-year-old patient with advanced cancer treated with chemotherapy and high-complexity surgical oncology. Excellent survival and quality of life.
Read the full caseLaura's case
Rare abdominal tumor treated with complex cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC and systemic chemotherapy. Disease-free after almost 2 years.
Read the full caseSantiago's case
Diagnosed with widespread peritoneal carcinomatosis and considered inoperable. After complete cytoreduction with HIPEC, today his is a story of hope and survival.
Read the full case
Clinical honesty
What we do NOT do
As important as what we offer is what we will not do.
We do not operate cases where surgery offers no real benefit
If we cannot control your disease (after assessing your functional status or the extent of the tumour), we will honestly tell you that surgery is not the right option and refer you to the most reasonable alternative (PIPAC, systemic therapy, supportive care).
We do not promise cure
Oncology works with probabilities. We give you realistic ranges based on published literature, not invented numbers.
We do not replace your treating oncologist
Our report is for you to share with your usual doctor. We keep communication with him or her during treatment if you authorise it.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about the second opinion
The most common questions answered with concrete data.
How long until a second-opinion appointment is scheduled?
We contact you within 24-48 hours to schedule the appointment. Typically, within 3 to 5 business days from receiving all required documentation we can schedule it in person or remotely. If a test is missing you can provide it later if our team deems it relevant.
How long does the written report take?
Between 3 and 5 business days from when we receive all necessary documentation.
What documents do I need to send?
Our team will request the tests needed for your specific case. The usual list: recent contrast-enhanced CT (ideally <3 months), MRI if applicable, PET-CT if available, complete pathology, latest oncologist report and labs with tumour markers. We accept PDF and DICOM.
Can I request a second opinion if I am already on chemotherapy?
Yes, absolutely. It is in fact one of the moments where a second opinion changes decisions most. We make it easy to coordinate with your treating oncologist and avoid interrupting any ongoing treatment.
Will my original doctor know I have asked for a second opinion?
Only if you wish so. By default we maintain confidentiality. If surgery is eventually performed with us and you authorise it, we do inform your original doctor for follow-up coordination, always with your prior consent.
Is there a cost for the video consultation?
Yes. You will be told the cost before scheduling. Duration is 45-50 minutes. For international patients it is run via secure video conference.
Can relatives of a patient request a second opinion?
Yes, with the patient's authorisation or, in case of incapacity, the legal representative's.
Do you operate on children?
Not routinely. Paediatric cases are referred to specialised paediatric oncology reference centres.
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