trishnmiller Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I got the strangest call today from the cyberknife nurse. They wanted the biopsy report of Jeff's lung tumor. Well, he never had one. They took the biopsy from his liver tumor a year ago because they thought it too risky to go into the lung. Anyway, the nurse says,"Well, we'll have to schedule him for a biopsy' and I said,"Well, I think we won't schedule a darn thing until I talk to a whole bunch more people". The whole reason for cyberknife is to be non-invasive..kinda defeats the purpose if we do a biopsy. Just venting..I'll let you know more as I get this all sorted out. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Ugh... I'm sorry they're putting you through this. But I'm very impressed at your assertiveness. You are an excellent advocate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Well, I'm walking and talking proof that biopsy procedures are not without risks... Best to have tumors removed with clear margins and undisturbed. The great big old tumor in my left pleura that is currently breaking my ribs is the result of a Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy of a tumor in my left Lung done in August that went very, very wrong. I have seeding of malignant cells into the pleura/chest wall as a result. If you ask the docs about this they will tell you this almost never happens. I have read all kinds of reports on FNAB done on all kinds of cancers located in all kinds of organs, and the risk is much higher than the docs will admit. And really, Folks, if it happens to you or someone you love it is one time too many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Trish, you go girl. Remember, you know what the call the person that came out last in medical school - yep, doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Good job, Trish. How 'bout sending the path report from the liver biopsy? Would this help to settle things down with them? Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 ugh, Trish. how irritating. sounds like the called the wrong patient or something!? bizarre. at any rate, I think cindi's and fay's suggestion is a good one - offer them the information from other sources and get a darn good reason for the biopsy, if it really is to happen. you're so good at advocating for Jeffrey. he's lucky to have you. xoxo bunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamasbabygirl Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I will jump on the bandwagon here bc of our experience. My mom's brain cancer treatment was stereotactic bc it could not be removed surgically. Then, after stereotactic did not work (or worked too well-necrosis), they are willing to remove this from her brain. Weird request, I agree!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Hi Trish: it is almost certain that the lung tumor is malignant based on the liver biopsy I would think. I guess they are following a protocol. They may not know about the liver tumor biopsy. Basesd on Fay's experience and because they are not very reliable, I would never do a fine needle biopsy again. I would rather have a wedge resection with margin followed by biopsy of the tumor. Of course, that would make cyberknife surgery pointless, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 The Surgeon insisted that he could not operate to remove the tumor from my left and only lung without a biopsy proven malignancy... But the pathology on the tumor from the FNAB came back inconclusive! It didn't prove anything! And the Surgeon operated to remove the tumor anyway about 3 weeks later... Have you guys considered contacting Kasey's and MaryAnn's surgeon out of the National Cancer Institute? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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