CT vs biopsy CT on Mon.

studybug · Regular Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 17

Hi everyone,
Not sure if this is the right forum for this question....but here it is. A little backgroun. I went to the dr due to pain in my finger joints and she was cking me over and felt a hard nodule in my neck under my ear lobe, just next to my jaw bone. She sent me to an ENT. He did not like the feel of it...very hard and non movable, no pain and the size a small grape and he said it was a lymph node. So he has me scheduled for a CT scan then possible biopsy.
OK now here is the question... is that normal procedure to do the scan first then a biopsy? Seems like he could have just done a needle biopsy right then in the office. Thank you ....

vanessa · Regular Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 21

Hi Studybug,
I think thats right i dont know some people might get it the other way around but with me i did get a catscan done first along with xrays and stuff. Im no doctor so im not sure but i think they will do the scan first because they want to get a look at it (a picture) for a more accurate location and sometimes they can be more sure what it might be with the scan. The CT scan will help with the biopsy so they know where they have to do the biopsy. With the CT scan i think i gives them an idea what it might be but the biopsy it usually gives you a definate answer because of the tissue sample. Anyway i hope this is some help again im no professional or anything but i did get a CT scan done before my biopsy. Good luck and i hope everything turns out okay. keep us posted.
-vanessa

studybug · Regular Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 17

Thanks for the reply, that is helpful. Just wanted to make sure the CT was not over doing things a bit. The whole situation is slightly nerve wracking. I think I mad a mistake looking info. up on the internet regarding possibilities. Thanks again and I will let you know the out come.
Oh another question, how long did it take to get your results? Did the CT tech. give you any insight?
Smile

THX

vanessa · Regular Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 21

Hi Studybug,
I know the worst part is all the tests and waiting and just wanting to know, it can get nerve wrecking. Dont worry im sure most of us do, we just sit around nervous wondering what it can be and we go to the interent and look things up, i did the same thing. The doctor nurse or whoever preforms the catscan they dont really tell you anything they just do it real quick and then you sit and wait for the "call". Im not really sure how long it takes for results it depends on your doctor or office whatever. I think mine took a few days maybe even a week but they had mine on a rush order marked as "urgent". I had the CT scan done more than once but im not going to lie the first time i got it done it took a long time but my first specalist i went to he was kind of a "jerk" doctor he didnt take it seriously and i just figured nothing was wrong becausee it took soo long. But i think you will be just fine and hopefull you will get your results within a week? but im not sure it all depends. Good luck and hopefull it wont take too long because i know its never fun waiting.
Good luck!
-vanessa

studybug · Regular Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 17

Are you newly diagnosed? How are things going for you? What about the shingles... do you think that is what you have? I hope not!!! Hope you don't mind my asking what symptoms sent you to the DR.?
Debbie

SHANELLE85 · Regular Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 31

hey studybug,
when i found a hard lump in my neck i quickly got tests done to see what it was and i must admit that i did get the needle biopsy first before anything but i think that its not such a bad idea getting a scan first just because if the ct scan identifies the lump as not being cancerous then you dont have to get the needle biopsy done. I very much doubt that your dr could have done the needle biopsy then and there anyway because there is no way u can have it done unless you have a local anesthetic
i hope this helped
-shanelle Smile

studybug · Regular Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 17

Shanelle,
Thanks for the reply. I had my Ct today and of course I know nothing, and now my stinkin' Dr is on vacation! So I guess I will just have to be patient!!
Thanks again

SHANELLE85 · Regular Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 31

Hey studybug,
well atleast the scan is out of the way, but this is the time where waiting 4 the results really take a toll on you, mentally and physically, and it doesnt help when your doctor is on vacation! (very annoying)
ive been through alot in the past 6 or so months so if u have any questions about anything please dont hesistate to ask.
goodluck with everything!
-shanelle Smile

studybug · Regular Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 17

Hi,
Well the results of the CT showed a 1 cm lymph node ...Sentinal node. No necrosis, which is good. Because it is hard, non movable and painless he did a biopsy. He feels good that it will be benign. But he said it was in the grey area. Then he said I had a smaller one on the other side, (which I have just started noticing) So now I have to wait on the biopsy.

I have a question did anyones biopsy hurt, really bad? The actual biopsy hurt, was not completely numb until I got home! Now I am in ALOT of pain and I typically have a high pain tolerance. Just wondering consdering he told me it would just feel like a nick from shaving.
Thanks, Debbie

SHANELLE85 · Regular Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 31

Hey debbie,
Wen i got my biopsy done the local anesthetic worked pretty well, but i found that it still hurt wen they were poking the needle in and out, which i thought hurt and was quite unconfortable. As i recall i think once the anesthetic wore off, i was in pain and it felt like it was really bruised. But the pain does settle after a few days. ( well it did with me)
Hope u fell better soon Wink

-Shanelle

studybug · Regular Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 17

Shanelle,
Thanks! I could not eat, everytime I chewed it shot pains through that side of my jaw. Called the Dr. and he said "HMMMM that is unusual" then gave me pain meds. Feels better today, still hurts when I eat but not quite as intense. I really do not like this Dr. but I will have to deal with him until the biopsy comes back. Hope you are doing ok.

Thanks for the reply,
Debbie

SHANELLE85 · Regular Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 31

Hey Debbie,
U poor thing! Crying or Very sad

well wot ever u have i hope it goes away soon! the shooting pains almost sound like shingles(u sure u dont have that?) just checkin! Wink

well ive been doing ok i guess.. i have been having some skin problems myself, almost like hives coming up then turning red after i scratch them which im not liking coz b4 i got diagnosed with lymphoma i had similar skin problems where i was very itching 4 like a whole year just about.. so im very anxious! Sad

Ive only been off chemo 4 a month and a half and just saw my oncologist a month ago and i was clear so i really dont no.
Anyway ive rambled on 4 2 long get better soon!
-shanelle Wink

P.s- How old r u if dont mind me asking? (just curious)

studybug · Regular Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 17

I am 37 and have 3 kids, 14, 10 and 6. I am feeling much better this evening. Still hurt some but TONS better. Was your itching due to the lymphoma or some other skin condition? How old are you? The 85 part of Shanelle is that the year you were born? Any way thanks for cking in on me Smile

Do you have hodgkins or non hodgkins?
Ok well ttyl
Debbie

studybug · Regular Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 17

GRRRRRR. The biopsy results came back, salivary gland tissue.....So how does a radiologist say it is a lymph node and it comes back salivary gland tissue????? When the stinkin dr pokes your salivary gland, thats how!! No wonder I was in so much pain!!! So looking for new DR.
Debbie

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Lymphoma - Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others