CT guided biopsy

Ro10 said:

Kaleena

Sorry you are going to have more testing.  I had wondered if you had gotten a stent yet.  Sara had to get a stent, so I thought maybe she would have responded to your previous posts.  She has probably taken a break from this site.

i had a guided CT biopsy done in 09 between my 4 and 5 chemo.  I was admitted to the hospital for febrile neutopenia ( a high fever. With very low white blood cell count).  My biopsy was to find what the source of infection was.  I had an abscess in my lower abdomen.  The radiologist thought they may have nicked my colon during the robotic surgery because the culture showed e-coil,which grows in the colon.  He said there was probably a track from the colon to the lymph node.  I guess my body could not fight the infection after 4 chemo and 28 radiation treatments.

When I went back to Florida my surgeon said it's not unusual for lymph nodes to become inflamed, ( but I don't think they would have e-coli in them).

anyway they give you a local anesthestic before the procedure , and it was not bad at all.  I know how we fear the unknown.  I hope you get good results from biopsy.  I was wondering if they could do like the cyber knife for you.  That would be great if they could shrink the tumor and you would not have to get a stent since they have to be changed frequently.

you remain in my prayers.  In peace and caring.

Thanks for your response Ro.   My gyne/onc really wanted me to get a stent.  If I do end up needing one, I am going to see a local urologist since I hear that you must get them out frequently or at least have someone local in case there are problems as I hear stents can cause different problems and do need to be changed periodically.

Thanks too for the information on the CT biopsy.   Knowing someone else had it takes the complete "unknown" out of it.   I will let you know once I get it done and how it went.  I may be trying to get it to move up to April 8th due to my husband's scheduling, but for now it is on the 11th.

We have been on these boards together for years and I have always followed your posts.  You have always given me inspiration and my prayers are with you concerning your own personal medical "distractions".   

Thinking of you.

Kathy

HellieC said:

Sorry to hear this Kathy

Sorry to hear this, Kathy.  I hope that it is not a recurrence, but I, too, am of the opinion that it's better to get it out!  I am having similar problems to you with  my left ureter, as the tumour I have has stopped responding to the letrozole and is growing again and is pressing on it.  However, I am hesitant to have a stent fitted, as everything I read seems to indicate that they can cause discomfort and I am not good with that!  So we have switched my hormone meds from letrozole to provera in the hope that I will get a response and the tumour will shrink away and free the ureter up again.  It will be three months or so before I know if that has happened.  I hope all goes well for you and you find out soon what is happening.

Kindest wishes
Helen 

Helen:

Thanks for responding.   I am with you concerning the opinion to get it out.   Also, I have heard too that stents can cause discomfort among other things and the fact that you have to have them removed every several months and then put back in - so I am not rushsing to have that done.   Therefore, getting the biopsy on the mass I think is a good first step.   Surgery will probably be lengthly since the last surgery I had it took over 45 minutes just to get through the scar tissue to get to the other mass (which by the was was 3 cm smaller than this one).   But I am concerned that since the tumour is now 6 cm what else is it pressing on and will it cause problems other places.

I am sorry to hear that your tumour is growing again.   I don't think I am exhibiting any symptoms but I don't know.  I get little pains (or pings) in my left side (mine is with my left urerter too).   Last night I was getting some left back achiness and had lots of burping (which I haven't had since my original diagnosis).   I don't really feel like eating and when I do I feel I don't eat much.    It seems the more solid foods I eat, then I end up getting the bowel achiness.  Although I am eating like that, I am not really losing weight though.

I will let you know how it goes with the biopsy.   Please know that I am keeping you in my prayers.  I am sending thoughts your way that your tumour will shrink away and free up your ureter.

Thanks again for your wishes.

Kathy 

Alexandra said:

Biopsy

Hi Kathy,

I had MRI-guided bilateral breast biopsy last September and it was the most painful and long procedure I've ever experienced. No sedation whatsoever. Results were inconclusive, so it was officially a waste of time.

Last Tuesday I had ultrasound-guided peritoneal node biopsy. Preparation took about an hour: changing into a gown, long conversation with the nurse, filling out questionnaire, getting the needle in for the sedation (4 attempts by 3 nurses), painting my belly with pink antiseptic (Chlorhexidine 0.5% in Alcohol 70% ?), short conversation with the surgical radiologist, signing consent forms, etc. Biopsy was done under consious sedation (IV Fentanyl), I was high but could hear, see and communicate, I even remember showing off my tattoo and giving unsolicited career advice to the surgeon. Procedure itself took about 10 minutes. Surgeon located tumor on the ultrasound screen, inserted a core needle and got 3 core needles of tumor tissue out. I felt no pain. They put a band-aid on, kept me another 1/2 hr for observation and sent me home with instructions not to wash the area for 24 hrs, not to operate heavy machinery and not to sign legal papers. Just when I was about to finance an excavator and dig up my back yard.

5 days later the biopsy area is swollen and hard, like an internal hematoma and moderately painful, but there is no redness, infection or external bruising. I keep an ice pack on it when I remember.

In your case the tumor is probably located farther away from the skin surface, necessitating CT-guidance. The only advice I could give, don't take Aspirin (ASA), Ibuprofen (Naproxen, Advil, Motrin), vitamin E, blood thinners (Plavix, Coumadin, Tyclid, Aggrenox, Heparin) and such before the procedure. And if for whatever reason you took it, keep this information to yourself because the doctors will cancel the procedure if they find out.

Good luck!!!

My procedure is now scheduled for the 15th.   I believe they are also using ultrasound too (i see it on my appointment page).   I too had a breast biopsy done with a guided needle back in 2000.  The only thing I remember was that it was uncomfortable and I couldn't wash for 24 hours.

I will make sure not to take any motrin after tomorrow.   It is a three hour drive so I will definitely be resting after the proceedure.  How long does it take for the results?

with regard to signing forms, a funny thing happened with my friend after she had a colonoscopy.  After her colonoscopy they wanted her to sign the forms indicating she wouldn't drive or sign legal papers.  As I was standing there, I said then she can't sign this form - the nurse looked at me and said - oh. we may have to change this - lol

Thanks for your comments.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I hope the area is not swollen any more for you.

Kathy

Alexandra said:

Kathy, how did your biopsy go?

I hope everything went well. Don't repeat my mistake, watch for any sign of swelling and inflammation.

 

Hugs,

Alexandra

Hi Alexandra:

It went pretty much like you and others have said.   Had the pre-op questions.  Then waited for the actual biopsy.  Met with the anesthesiologist.   Once in the OR, they took a CT.   Most of the time was spent prepping me for the procedure.   They marked my back.   Once I was all set up they numbed my behind and then gave me the fentenoyl.   I was very relaxed but awake.   When it came time to actually take the samples, they warned me.   The only way I can describe it is like a staple gun - you can feel the kick.   It didn't hurt but it sent like a shock wave through my bladder. They took 3 core biopsies and then sent me back to recovery and then sent me home.   No driving, lifting, etc etc.   I was to resume normal activities in 24 hours.   I did go to work the next day, but around noon I felt extremely weak so I went home and rested.  I changed the bandage and like the anesthesiologist recommended to me I put neosporin on the opening.   Apparently before the procedure they take a triangular piece of skin off.   Today it is black and blue.   Also, I was sort of had stiff muscles like after a workout.   Today I feel much better but am definitely watching for any signs of infections.

I really appreciate all the advice on these boards.  It has helped so much in making decisions and what to ask or to watch out for.  Now it is the waiting game.   They said results would be 48 to 72 hours.   

So while I am waiting, we are getting new doors installed so that should keep me busy

The only thing that surprised me was how low they went in from.  (top of left butt cheek)   But the mass is at the perirectum area so I guess that was the best place to go through.  Because I was told that it was starting to block my ureter, I thought it might be up higher.

Happy Day to all - Hugs!  Thanks Helen, Ro, Jan, Suzanne and Alexandra and everyone for their wishes!

Kathy