Got the second opinion...

parrot · New User Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 6

I am having a biopsy done in two weeks. Man, this is so scary. Whay could it be besides cancer anyways? The Dr mentioned scarring of the lymph nodes... so what, is it a 50/50 chance between two things or are there other reasons for swollen painless nodes that are kinda hard/rubbery?

Anyways, I will have my answer soon enough. I just can't help but worry.

Does it hurt to have a biopsy done with a needle that they stick in the node? Do they have to freeze you or anything like that?

Thanks.

brainman · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: Got the second opinion...

Hi parrot,

Not having had a lymph node biopsy myself, I can't tell you exactly what they do. However, I feel rather confident in telling you that you will not have any significant pain associated with the biopsy. I do not think they freeze it. I do think they will at least give you a local. You might want to talk to your doctor about your anxiety. She/he might want to give you a prescription to help with your anxiety pre-biopsy.

I think the odds are better than 50/50 that this is not a cancer but either an infection or scar tissue of the lymph node. Of course, they need to rule out the most serious possibility first then move to the less serious. You are doing the right thing by having a biopsy.

Good luck and keep us informed.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

kimlk · Regular Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 11

Hey there,

I had a needle biopsy done on my lymph node. They injected a freezing solution into the node that was to be biopsied. After that kicks in they use a needle to aspirate the node and suck out a small portion from within it to see what they can determine. It hurt a little bit for me when they aspirated it, but it wasn't too bad. The results they got from mine were inconclusive though, and I later had a full biopsy of the node done, and for that they put me under with local anaesthetic. I hope that helps to answer your question, and that everything goes alright for you. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Good Luck!

Kim

effcancer · Regular Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 22

when I had my biopsy done, I had a full biopsy. The doctor said that doing the needle one wouldn't show if it was cancerous.

I know its a little scarier... but ask about a full biopsy, and why he didn't think that was necessary.
_________________
So, this sucks.

summerlover55 · Regular Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 22

hey!

i had both the core biopsy and then the open biopsy.. i would have to say that the open one was better only because they put me asleep.. Wink

i remember being soooo scared for the core biopsy.. as i was petrified of needles.. but i also remember afterwards being like wow that wasn't as bad as i thought... all you feel is a little sting from the freezing and then after that they use a needle to get a piece of the node and you can't feel that at all! afterwards.. maybe a day later.. it hurt just a little.. but you will do fine! it seems really intense.. just breath and think of joyful things!

and also.. the worrying stage/ testing stage (the stage you are at now) was just about the worst for me.. i am 17 yrs old in my second cycle of treatment at stage 3b.. and so far through all of this i would have to say the most scariest time was when i was getting tested.. i just about googled every HL website there was! but you just got to sit tight and try to be patient... it's not that easy i know.. but just remember that it is in God's hands and worrying causes so much stress!

I wish you luck!

parrot · New User Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 6

Thanks for the responses everyone! I am not scared of the biopsy (just of the results). If I'd have to be put to sleep, that would scare the pants off me; but a needle and some pain don't bug me at all.

I am just wondering why they would be doing this biopsy if the results would be inconclusive.

Anyways, I'm trying not to worry too much for now.

Thanks.

brainman · Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Got the second opinion...

No, parrot, sometimes (if not most of the time) the biopsy IS conclusive. Yes, there are times when for whatever reason a needle biopsy is not conclusive for any number of reasons. I do not know the statistics, but I would assume that the statistics reflect a positive weight toward a needle biopsy vs the risks involved with a surgical removal of a lymph node.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

	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