Guest Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Hi everyone; My father-in law was originally diagnosed with non-small cell cancer about 3 weeks ago. The doctor then called the next day and said it was a mistake since he had not received the actual reports from the specialist. My father-in-law has a mass the size of a lemon on the right lung and the doctor is now insisting that it is cancer even though nothing is actually proving this. After about 3 biopsies, tons of blood tests, bone scans, MRIs and x-rays they still can't confirm that it is cancer but the doctor still insists that it is lung cancer and wants more tests done. We are worried sick that this is taking too long, if it is Cancer treatment should have already begun, at the same time we are wondering if the doctor is wrong. Is this that hard to detect? What is the usual waiting period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Rick, It IS possible that a biopsy did not catch any cancer cells if it truly is cancer....highly unlikely, but possible... One other thing that is watched is growth rate, measured by looking at previous X-rays/scans, etc. Anything fast growing is judged to be cancer and leads to the tests your FIL seems to have gone through. There are other answers for growths in the lungs, one being sarcodosis (not sure if I spelled that correctly) - and infection that is treated with steroids. A person can get infections, fungal infections, etc. in the lung/s. If the doctor is convinced it is cancer, why has your FIL not been referred to an oncologist? Maybe a "pro" can either rule cancer out or get the ball rolling for treatment... Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 We have actually asked him about other conditions but he says that it is Cancer. He said that he cannot refer us to an Oncologist because he has no actual proof from the tests proving 100% Cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 How about a referal to a thoracic surgeon? Get it out and let pathology decide what it is. You never said that on CTs , MRI s etc they found any thing any where else. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Rick, Sounds like it's time for a second opinion. The doctor seems to have put your FIL into a Catch-22 loop...he needs to get out of that. As for referral, that sounds like a load of crap - if he's CONVINCED it's cancer (proof or not), he should be referring FIL to an oncologist. Seems like a no-brainer.... OR, at the very least, a thoracic surgeon. Obviously, whatever IS in there, shouldn't be. My opinion would be to seek another opinion...and maybe a third if it's a big difference... Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebbie Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I agree with you Donna. It seems counterproductive to keep doing test after inconclusive test and hear the doctor say "I have no proof, but it must be cancer", but then have him say "I can't prove it's cancer so I can't send you to a cancer doctor". That's crazy! I have a co-worker who was suspected of having Ovarian cancer. Apparently the only way to tell for sure was to do the surgery and get the tumor out. Fortunately, it turned out to be non-cancerous. The whole process only took a few weeks. If your FIL is strong enough for surgery, I would find a good thorasic surgeon and have a consultation with him! Best of luck, Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debi Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I had my surgery with the Surgeon thinking it was a 50/50 chance that it was cancerous...I went into the surgery not knowing. All I knew was that I had something in my lung that shouldn't be there and tests were unable to prove one way or the other what it was. We all agreed though, that no matter what it was, it didn't belong there and needed to go. Sounds like its time for a second opinion to me also....or perhaps you can ask for a PET scan for your father-in-law also which should detect whether it "lights up" as a cancer. Good luck and keep pushing!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCarl Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Let me echo what the others have said .... second opinion. There is more than one "brand" of lung cancer and how each is treated is a bit different so getting an accurate dx is really important. Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I too have to echo.I think a second opinion is in order Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerbil runner Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 It is possible to have biopsies that are inconclusive - my mother had 2 of them. Here's a short list of what was done to diagnose: 1. x-ray showed mass 2. stent placed in bile duct - brushings from procedure were "inconclusive" 3. sputum sent for tests - "inconclusive" 4. bronchoscopy - "atypical cells" (but not conclusive for type) 5. second bronchoscopy - biopsies from 3 sites - "inconclusive" 6. CT - guided needle biopsy of pancreas met - finally, dx of sclc. This took a total of 19 days of hospitalization in 2 different hospitals. The pulmonologist explained that it's common with biopsies, especially ones not done with invasive surgery, to not get enough information for a firm dx. And my mother's history of heart disease made her a poor candidate for open-chest surgery to get at that tumor. I'd go for a second opinion at this point, too. My mom was worked on by 2 different pulmonologists and her x-rays and ct scans were sent to at least 3 different oncologists. So we kind of got the 2nd opinion by default. I hope you will get accurate answers very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayos Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 I don't know if this information will help.....but I never had a biopsy prior to my surgery. Biopsies are invasive and can be seen as dangerous when other medical conditions exist simultaneously....ie: PPH (as in my case)....heart disease....diabetes/thyroid and other serious endocrine disorders......along with many others diease processes. I was told by my pulmonologist he "always" sends posssible 'lung cancer growth' patients to a surgeon. He said, "These growths must come out anyway. Even though biopsy results are often wrong... operations ensue anyway." All three of my docs cautioned against a biopsy. The thoracic surgeon was pretty sure it was cancer due to 'hot spots' on the cat scan and petscan and also on what she termed "numerous" cancer markers (chemicals in blood) ...actual count was >5. My PPH Doc said "If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck....What will we find??" The answer was CANCER. So as you see......according to "MY" docs...biopsies are not always a 'sure thing'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
with2kidsnow Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 its your cousin BM. Glad you liked this link I sent you. as you can see the people here have lots of experience, lots of good advice, and lots of enthusiasm and good spirits to share. Keeping my fingers crossed for my uncle. I'll e-mail you soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
with2kidsnow Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 ccc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 Welcome to the board Rick1. I wish you hadn't had to find us but glad to have you anyway. You must be so overwhelmed and frustrated with all of this. Please know my positive thoughts are on the way for a good outcome. Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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