Anyone had a kidney tumor biopsy?

love_of_my_life said:

Tumor biposy

My wife had a biopsy last August before she had her entire kidney removed.

It was a fairly simple process and she was not in much pain.  I actually sat in the room while they did it using ultrasound to guide it.

You are in our prayers.  You will get through this.

Tom and Holly

The second opinion you got makes good sense to me and so does Mimir's analysis.  You've gathered that the procedure is nothing to be apprehensive about.

The expert consensus these days is that the likelihood of seeding new cancer by needle track in biopsy is negligible.  The main contraindication is the chance of a false negative result.  By taking several samples they will minimise the risk of that outcome in your case.

If the biopsy results bear out the intuition of your expert second opinion, then you will be spared unnecessary surgery and just continuing surveillance will be all that's needed.

I  had a biopsy done (NIH clinical center). The doctors I talked to said that it used to be the view that biopsies could spread cancer and where bad, but the cutting edge studies show that there is  almost no risk from a biopsy. For my biospy I was awake lying on my stomach with a light sedative and some local anesthesia on my back. They used a large needle and took some samples.  For me, the  disconcerting  parts of the procedure were the clicking sound  the large needle made as it took samples, and blood trickling down my back. There was a bunch of bleeding but nothing that worried them.  After the biopsy you generally would go to thhe day hospital for observation(making sure there is no internal bleeding). The spot is sore for a few days, but after a week you should be fine. 

One of the main arguement against  biopsies is that different parts of the tumor can return different results. They told me that they were going to take 3 samples from diffrent parts of the tumor to make sure they got an accurate result. 

I would recommend getting the biopsy if, and only if, the procedure could significantly alter your treatment path.  SInce I am 18 years old, the docotrs thought I  might have a wilms tumor. The treatment for wilms tumor is chemo and surgery.  If the tumor had been wilms there would have been a good chance the doctors could have saved part of my kidney.  The small risk of the biospys was offset by the better outcome of knowing what type of tumor I had.

In other words, if you are going to get surgeyr to remove it either way, there might not be sense in getting a biopsy. If you still have doubts, bluntly ask your doctor what the difference in treatment would be with and without the biopsy.

I hope everything goes smoothly!

LKidd said:

Different Direction

First I want to thank all of you that posted. Your advice,  knowledge and experience helps so much. Each step I take with this is new, and when I hear 1st hand experiences and find out a lot of ppl on here have been there done that, it's so relieving.

So they called today to schedule the biopsy, which I expected. What I didn't expect is that apparently the radiologist that looked at the CT and was going to do the procedure said it was not safe to do a biopsy. He believes it has liquid in it, filled with liquid. If it was an infection of any kind or without knowing more about what it is, the biiopsy poses a risk and is unsafe. So he wants an MRI.

New turn, the mystery deepens. 1st open surgery probably cancer and tumor, to biopsy probably benign, to MRI it looks fluid filled. So far all that have looked at the CT say they have not seen a tumor like that before. Even my 2nd opinion doc who has seen and removed a million of them. So this is concerning, dragging out a little but at the same time might be good news. Not sure. So on to an MRI. Hopefully that will shed some light on what this little friend of mine is.

It's fascinating, though it must be a little unsettling for you.  Please keep us informed of every new twist and turn. 

It may turn out not to be too bad at all, at the end of all of this, even if you are a groundbreaker! 

LKidd said:

Different Direction

First I want to thank all of you that posted. Your advice,  knowledge and experience helps so much. Each step I take with this is new, and when I hear 1st hand experiences and find out a lot of ppl on here have been there done that, it's so relieving.

So they called today to schedule the biopsy, which I expected. What I didn't expect is that apparently the radiologist that looked at the CT and was going to do the procedure said it was not safe to do a biopsy. He believes it has liquid in it, filled with liquid. If it was an infection of any kind or without knowing more about what it is, the biiopsy poses a risk and is unsafe. So he wants an MRI.

New turn, the mystery deepens. 1st open surgery probably cancer and tumor, to biopsy probably benign, to MRI it looks fluid filled. So far all that have looked at the CT say they have not seen a tumor like that before. Even my 2nd opinion doc who has seen and removed a million of them. So this is concerning, dragging out a little but at the same time might be good news. Not sure. So on to an MRI. Hopefully that will shed some light on what this little friend of mine is.

Was your CT with contrast? I don't recall if you said.

I had thought these fluid-filled masses were usually considered cysts. I had also heard of a type of benign tumor they could be that is visible on a CT with contrast. I guess I'm familiar with what they would see with an MRI that they didn't see with the CT with contrast. If someone could explain, I'd like to hear about that. Even with the CT without contrast my doc was pretty sure I had RCC. Of course my mass was 6.8 cm. That's quit a bit larger than yours.

If the mass is a long way from blood supply or lymph, is waiting and watching an option?

Please update us after your MRI and tell us what it showed.

Todd

MDCinSC said:

Interesting Reading!

Like you, I'm new to all this.

I had a contrast CT scan about two weeks ago for a stomach complaint. When they read it they discovered I have a 4cm mass in the lower right segment of my right kidney.  Well, that and a few stones in each kidney as well as one in the bladder.  I'm struggling with the VA to get me in for a Urology consult to see where we need to go with this.

Common sense says that the sooner I get in for the consult the better, but how long can I wait for the VA to move without really seriously risking negative consequences? Anybody have a thought?

I am striving  to maintain perspective on this.  Advice would be appreciated!  Thanks!

MDC,

First, welcome to the club nobody wants to join.  At 4.0cm your tumor is still quite small (golf ball size) and RCC is very slow growing so you have time to clarify your situation and make a decision as to how to proceed.  Some type of surgery is likely so start getting used to the idea and prepare yourself physically if need be.  You will have options like open, lap, robotic, full, or partial, find a good medical team that you are comfortable with and trust and follow their recommendations.  Mine was similar in size, it has been 40 months for me and likewise you are going to be fine.  Take a deep breath and calm yourself, be persistent, but not desperate, do some research and prepare a list of questions for when you do start seeing doctors.  Keep us posted, we're here to help.

Good luck and Godspeed,

Gary

MDCinSC said:

Thank you!

Great Welcome All!  I appreciate it.

I am definitely following through with every step.  I am compelled to deal strictly with the Veterans Administration on this since health insurance is a luxury I haven't been able to afford.  Medicare isn't an option for a few more months, and I am not comfortable waiting that long.

I have a great primary care physician who is ram-rodding this through the bureaucracy and ensuring I get good care quickly.  He is quite a find here.  We're still waiting for a urologist appointment to confirm but operating under the assumption that things are that serious.  Who knows, perhaps there is a big sigh of relief at the end of this but I'm still holding my breath.

How do you deal with the frustration and the occasional anger?  Last night was especially hard.  I am usually far more in control of myself than that.  Especially since there is no one to really be angry with! LOL  We humans are a funny breed!

MDC,

The emotional roller coaster is normal and just part of the ride and remember it is just as hard on those that are close to you, but they feel the need to be understanding and put up a strong front which complicates things.  That's part of the reason we are here, feel free to holler, scream, and rant here, we understand and you can't hurt our feelings.  You'll still need to vent and cry in the real world, but many of us have benefited from taking the edge off on the understanding shoulder found here.  You may find that these feelings intensify after they pronounce you "cured", it can take your mind longer to come to terms with the whole cancer ordeal than it takes for your body to mend, and that's OK too.  You are in a whirlwind right now and it can take many weeks or months for things to return to "normal" again.  We're here whenever you need us.

Hang in there,

Gary

MDCinSC said:

Thanks!

Thak you Gary! 

I was so relieved to find this place after so much looking.  There are others that seem to be nothing more than sinkholes to gather information and sell something!  I feel more and more this is the right place to be!

 

I appreciate your reaching out!

MDC (Mike)

Hi Mike,

I am sure everyone here knows exactly how you are feeling.  It is completely natural and there are plenty of people to help you through this.  This is a great place to vent and get some information.  I just wanted the tumor gone and I have to say so far so good and we are all stronger than we think we are.

Eims