Needle biopsy of abdomen

tcvine

Hi Y'All,

Anyone every have a needle biopsy of the abdomen?
I have one scheduled for this coming Monday AND Tuesday at MD Anderson. I can't find much about it on the Internet. And Anderson doesn't have much about it either. But they said at my onc's office that it would be scheduled over 2 days. I really don't know what would take that much time. I have read that the procedure itself only takes 30 to 45 minutes. I'm just wondering what the rest of the time is used for?
Guess I'll find out on Monday.
More poking.
Just curious.
Thanks,
Tom (DLBCL-Stage 4-7/10-Remission?)

miss maggie

abdomen
Hi Tom,

I wasn't sure if I should of posted. I have no idea what this is about. But, I will be sure to read all the answers to your question.

It seems the learning never ends. I am so sorry you are going through all this testing. Prayers everything turns out well.

Love Maggie

yesyes2

Needle Biopsy
Tom,

I have had 2 needle biopsys of my abdomen. The first was in the lower abdomen and the procedure was done through my lower back and was CT scan guided. The second was of the upper abdomen, through the front using realtime CT scan. ON the second one they wanted to go through my liver to get to the node but I said no and they had to figure out another way to reach the node, which they did. Both procedures were done with awake sedations and were out patient procedures with a short, several hours stay afterwards to insure no bleeding. Both doctors who did the procedures are Intervention Radiologist and both were great. I have also had other needle biopsys using CT because as I said in other posts I light up pETs just because of inflamation, not cancer. But both abdomen biopsys, first diagnosis and recurrance, were on lymphnodes and were lymphoma.

I don't get why MDA is doing it as a 2 day procedure. Perhaps the first day will be more scans. Think if it were me I'd call and find out why 2 days, what willl they be doing to me and who will be doing it! But thats just me, never an easy patient, LOL.

Tom, if you have any other questions I'd be happy to try and answer them. If your procedure is like mine you'll do just fine. I will be thinking of you and sending positive prayers your way. Let us know how your doing.

Leslie

yesyes2

One More Thing!
ON the second biopsy, because I was on my back and it was real time, I got to watch the whole thing, cool!!! Real time means the doc doesn't run behind a screen every time a scan is taken. There was a large screen over my abdomen and the radiologist sees the scan in real time as he positions the needle.
Leslie

allmost60

yesyes2 said:

One More Thing!
ON the second biopsy, because I was on my back and it was real time, I got to watch the whole thing, cool!!! Real time means the doc doesn't run behind a screen every time a scan is taken. There was a large screen over my abdomen and the radiologist sees the scan in real time as he positions the needle.
Leslie

2 days?
Hi Tom,
I agree with Leslie and would call MDA today and get your questions answered. I've never had it done, so I can't share any useful information, but I'll definetely be thinking of you. Have a safe drive from Grapevine to Houston.
Best wishes...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

She514

core needle biopsy
Hi Tom,
I am awaiting a procedure date for CT guided core needle biopsy. No definate lymphoma diagnosis to date. I went into ER in January with abdominal pain...aka appendicitis. When the hospital came and told me the ct scan showed appendix was irritated they dropped the abdominal mass suggestive of lymphoma diagnosis also. Had another CT Scan earlier in March that shows the mass the same size. Next is the core needle biopsy. I asked where the needle would be inserted and they said through my back. Procedure would take less than an hour but I would be observed for a few hours before being released. I'd be interested in hearing your take on the procedure. Trying to get as much info on everything as I like to know in advance what to expect. Sending good vibes your way!

Rosie

KC13167

Tissue sample
Tom,

My overall experience with CT guided biopsy was very good. My interventional radiologist was great. Yes, there's a "but" coming up.

In my first procedure, not enough usable tissue was obtained for the pathologist. There was enough tissue obtained but, over half of it was scar tissue which is of no value to the pathologist.

I had to have the procedure repeated a few days later. That was a bummer. Different hospitals have different procedures. At my hospital, the radiologist and a registered nurse are in the room. The specimen is sent to the pathology department for all of the testing. My brother is a pathologist in another state, AZ. He was very upset that my procedure had to be repeated. He stated that his hospital's procedure for interventional radiology biopsy includes a pathologist in the room at the time that the specimen is obtained and as such, they ensure that the quantity and viability of the biopsied tissue is sufficient for testing.

I'm sure that my experience was a rare exception. Just a head's up. Best wishes and prayers your way. Kellie

yesyes2

KC13167 said:

Tissue sample
Tom,

My overall experience with CT guided biopsy was very good. My interventional radiologist was great. Yes, there's a "but" coming up.

In my first procedure, not enough usable tissue was obtained for the pathologist. There was enough tissue obtained but, over half of it was scar tissue which is of no value to the pathologist.

I had to have the procedure repeated a few days later. That was a bummer. Different hospitals have different procedures. At my hospital, the radiologist and a registered nurse are in the room. The specimen is sent to the pathology department for all of the testing. My brother is a pathologist in another state, AZ. He was very upset that my procedure had to be repeated. He stated that his hospital's procedure for interventional radiology biopsy includes a pathologist in the room at the time that the specimen is obtained and as such, they ensure that the quantity and viability of the biopsied tissue is sufficient for testing.

I'm sure that my experience was a rare exception. Just a head's up. Best wishes and prayers your way. Kellie

Hospital Screw up
Hi Kellie,

My first CT guides procedure was smooth as could be, wonderful intervention radiologist who got enought tissue, etc. When my NHL returned I was sent to Stanford to do a real time CT guided biopsy. The first time there was no pathologist in the room. At Stanford there was a pathologist present. The pathologist fixed slides on the needle aspirations and left the CT rm. The intervention radiologist, who was also wonderful, than took tissue samples and sent those to pathology. According to pathology those tissue samples never arrived, Stanford lost my biopsy!!! A huge error resulting in never getting a really good tissue sample and needing to start treatment ASAP without a differential diagnosis. I will never go to Stanford again. Maybe problems are not so rare.

Tom, I am sending positive energy your way.

Leslie

COBRA666

Positive thoughts
Tom,
Only positive thoughts for you tomorrow on the needle biopsy. Keep us updated. John(FNHL-1-4A-5/10)

tcvine

Waiting for evaluation
Hi Y'All,

Waaaaaayyy thanks for all your comments. We are sitting in the waiting room right now on day one. Turns out that this is an explanation and evaluation. Real tests will be done tomorrow.

I'm just as glad to do it this way because this way I can tell them how I want it to be done. (probably won't help, but at least I can put in my two cents.)

More later when I have something to report. Again, thanks so much for the info. It really helps!

Tom (DLBCL-Stage 4-7/10-Remission?)

tcvine

Needle biopsy report
Hi Y'All,

Well, the needle biopsy went fine. They used a light sedative and local anesthesia. Sedative did nothing as far as I could tell, but it was OK. I could feel some of the punctures, but nothing unbearable. The real problem was that they had a very difficult time getting to the mass that they wanted to biopsy. The attending doc was very conversant with me and told me what was going on. But she was fighting with my moving colon and was concerned with puncturing the colon. After about an hour and an unknown number of sticks (there were many) she finally said that they were finished. She told me that she really did not think that she was able to get enough material, so the biopsy was not successful.

We will get the official word next week after the samples are examined more closely.

Main thing for me -- I really don't want any more cancer - and now my remission seems to be in doubt.

I'm not very happy about it - so I think I'll take a sleeping pill and go to bed.
'Night, y'all.
Tom

yesyes2

tcvine said:

Needle biopsy report
Hi Y'All,

Well, the needle biopsy went fine. They used a light sedative and local anesthesia. Sedative did nothing as far as I could tell, but it was OK. I could feel some of the punctures, but nothing unbearable. The real problem was that they had a very difficult time getting to the mass that they wanted to biopsy. The attending doc was very conversant with me and told me what was going on. But she was fighting with my moving colon and was concerned with puncturing the colon. After about an hour and an unknown number of sticks (there were many) she finally said that they were finished. She told me that she really did not think that she was able to get enough material, so the biopsy was not successful.

We will get the official word next week after the samples are examined more closely.

Main thing for me -- I really don't want any more cancer - and now my remission seems to be in doubt.

I'm not very happy about it - so I think I'll take a sleeping pill and go to bed.
'Night, y'all.
Tom

Biopsy
Morning Tom,

WOW, I'm sitting here with my mouth agap after reading your post. In my world your experience sounds down right awful and I'm so sorry you had to experience that. Was your biopsy done with a CT Scan? I can't believe that you were poked so many times, that it took that long to get samples and that you weren't numb or sedated enough that you could feel the pokes.

I've had biopsys where they did not get enough tissue for a differential diagnosis but did get enough for a diagnosis that the disease was the same on my recurrance. On needle biopsy's it seems there is never enough tissue to make the pathologists happy.

Thanks for sharing,
Leslie

She514

tcvine said:

Needle biopsy report
Hi Y'All,

Well, the needle biopsy went fine. They used a light sedative and local anesthesia. Sedative did nothing as far as I could tell, but it was OK. I could feel some of the punctures, but nothing unbearable. The real problem was that they had a very difficult time getting to the mass that they wanted to biopsy. The attending doc was very conversant with me and told me what was going on. But she was fighting with my moving colon and was concerned with puncturing the colon. After about an hour and an unknown number of sticks (there were many) she finally said that they were finished. She told me that she really did not think that she was able to get enough material, so the biopsy was not successful.

We will get the official word next week after the samples are examined more closely.

Main thing for me -- I really don't want any more cancer - and now my remission seems to be in doubt.

I'm not very happy about it - so I think I'll take a sleeping pill and go to bed.
'Night, y'all.
Tom

Sad for what you went through:o(
Tom, sorry the biopsy wasn't without issues. I pray that they were able to get enough for a diagnosis and that is not cancer.
I go in Monday for my Ct guided core needle biopsy. I'm really hoping they are able to obtain enough material for a diagnosis.
Get some rest and keep us posted on your results. Stay Positive!

Rosie

allmost60

tcvine said:

Needle biopsy report
Hi Y'All,

Well, the needle biopsy went fine. They used a light sedative and local anesthesia. Sedative did nothing as far as I could tell, but it was OK. I could feel some of the punctures, but nothing unbearable. The real problem was that they had a very difficult time getting to the mass that they wanted to biopsy. The attending doc was very conversant with me and told me what was going on. But she was fighting with my moving colon and was concerned with puncturing the colon. After about an hour and an unknown number of sticks (there were many) she finally said that they were finished. She told me that she really did not think that she was able to get enough material, so the biopsy was not successful.

We will get the official word next week after the samples are examined more closely.

Main thing for me -- I really don't want any more cancer - and now my remission seems to be in doubt.

I'm not very happy about it - so I think I'll take a sleeping pill and go to bed.
'Night, y'all.
Tom

Ugh!
Your biopsy sounds like my BMB. My onc went in three or four times and all I had was something to numb the outside area...it was just dredful! I'll keep you in my prayers that they retrieved enough tissue to see if your still in remission. Hang in there my friend!
Love...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

COBRA666

allmost60 said:

Ugh!
Your biopsy sounds like my BMB. My onc went in three or four times and all I had was something to numb the outside area...it was just dredful! I'll keep you in my prayers that they retrieved enough tissue to see if your still in remission. Hang in there my friend!
Love...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

Thinking of you
Tom,
I hope they did get enough tissue for a diagnoses. Hope you are still in remission. I know it is hard to do, but try to think positive. We are behind you. John(FNHL-1-4A-5/10)

allmost60

She514 said:

Sad for what you went through:o(
Tom, sorry the biopsy wasn't without issues. I pray that they were able to get enough for a diagnosis and that is not cancer.
I go in Monday for my Ct guided core needle biopsy. I'm really hoping they are able to obtain enough material for a diagnosis.
Get some rest and keep us posted on your results. Stay Positive!

Rosie

Monday..
Hi Rosie,
I'll be thinking good thoughts and have you in my prayers on Monday.
Best wishes...Sue (FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

She514

allmost60 said:

Monday..
Hi Rosie,
I'll be thinking good thoughts and have you in my prayers on Monday.
Best wishes...Sue (FNHL-2-3a-6/10)

Thank You!
Thank You Sue! Those of you that have gone through what currently experiencing give me strength that I too can remain strong regardless of the diagnosis. I'm still hoping the mass is not lymphoma but I have educated myself big time in case it is. Can you tell I'm a planner??? Lymphoma isn't in my current plan but go figure.

Rosie

COBRA666

She514 said:

Thank You!
Thank You Sue! Those of you that have gone through what currently experiencing give me strength that I too can remain strong regardless of the diagnosis. I'm still hoping the mass is not lymphoma but I have educated myself big time in case it is. Can you tell I'm a planner??? Lymphoma isn't in my current plan but go figure.

Rosie

Nobodys Plan
Rosie,
I do not think lymphoma is anybodys plan,but it may be something we have to deal with. The ride into the unknown is a scary experience for all. I hope your biopsy shows no lymphoma,but if it does please stick with us so we can give one another support. John(FNHL-1-4A-5/10)

She514

COBRA666 said:

Nobodys Plan
Rosie,
I do not think lymphoma is anybodys plan,but it may be something we have to deal with. The ride into the unknown is a scary experience for all. I hope your biopsy shows no lymphoma,but if it does please stick with us so we can give one another support. John(FNHL-1-4A-5/10)

Thanks John
John,
I'm sure no one plans for any illness. My ordeal came after appendicitis in January (that wasn't in my plan either:o). Enlarged lymph node surrounding nearly the entire abdominal aorta. Threw me for a loop when I was just in ER for appendicitis. No "B" symptoms which makes it more difficult to accept. Since then it's been Dr appt, wait, test, wait etc., which I gather from this site that's the norm. You can beat I'll hang around if my results are lymphoma. I can see this site to be invaluable to someone with cancer or caregiver. My Mom was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease last year the on line site for ALS patients and caregiver were a blessing. It helped me stay ahead of Mom's progression until her passing in October 2010. It's been a rough 11 months for me...looking for some good news for a change that's all.

Thanks John!
Rosie

She514

COBRA666 said:

Nobodys Plan
Rosie,
I do not think lymphoma is anybodys plan,but it may be something we have to deal with. The ride into the unknown is a scary experience for all. I hope your biopsy shows no lymphoma,but if it does please stick with us so we can give one another support. John(FNHL-1-4A-5/10)

sorry for the double
sorry for the double post...system is slow causing me to hit the submitt button twice.


Rosie

miss maggie

tcvine said:

Needle biopsy report
Hi Y'All,

Well, the needle biopsy went fine. They used a light sedative and local anesthesia. Sedative did nothing as far as I could tell, but it was OK. I could feel some of the punctures, but nothing unbearable. The real problem was that they had a very difficult time getting to the mass that they wanted to biopsy. The attending doc was very conversant with me and told me what was going on. But she was fighting with my moving colon and was concerned with puncturing the colon. After about an hour and an unknown number of sticks (there were many) she finally said that they were finished. She told me that she really did not think that she was able to get enough material, so the biopsy was not successful.

We will get the official word next week after the samples are examined more closely.

Main thing for me -- I really don't want any more cancer - and now my remission seems to be in doubt.

I'm not very happy about it - so I think I'll take a sleeping pill and go to bed.
'Night, y'all.
Tom

Oh Tom
Dear Tom,

So sorry your biopsy was such a struggle for the doctor. Mostly sorry for you. The worse would of been if the doctor punctured your colon.

I agree, the best medicine if you can, go to sleep and hope the next day, mentally your mind is feeling better.

I don't blame you for not wanting any more cancer. I remember when you were so happy with your remission DX. It breaks my heart to read on your post "my remission seems to be in doubt".

I hope by the time you read this post, you will be feeling somewhat better.

Love Maggie