| | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 9 | Good morning everyone. sorry i wasn't sure where to post this. well today is the the day i get my refferal to see an ent for a biopsy, with my insurance plan i need to be reffered to see a specialist i guess or he only does refferals. Not sure which really.
Two nights ago I told my best friend about my "growth" first words out of her mouth don't let them cut you it will spread if it is its cancer. Yesterday i told my mom, first thing she said was do not let them cut you. I've been researching but haven't found anything concrete saying yes or no. Should i just opt for a pet scan first to see if things look suspious?
is it true that a biopsy can make cancer spead? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 | a biopsy is the only way they can diagnose cancer. they usually insert a needle in the area and take out a sample. dont worry about the biopsy. the PET will come later if the biopsy comes back cancerous. the MD doesnt do biopsies, thus the referral to the ENT. WOW, those comments from ur friend/mom must have terrified u. relax. u should post under introduce yourself. let us know how the biopsy turns out. until then, just relax. where is the area of concern??? can u give us a little more info?? oh and welcome to the forum! 
Teresa
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CG to ANDY. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)
T2N2cMxG4 stage 4. 43 @ dx 8/31/09
tx 9/21/09-11/06/09 cispatin/docetaxel/5-FU X3
PORT 9/9/09, PEG 12/07/09
35 IMRT-1/wk carbo 11/30/09-2/3/10
tx stopped due to complications
IMRT BOOST 3/08-3/12/10
PET 4/12/10 CLEAR!
PEG out 4/14/10
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 | oh by the way, everyone on here has had at least one biopsy, most have had several and as u see--a wise woman once said--we are not posting from beyond the grave here (loved that quote christine, had to use it)!
Teresa
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CG to ANDY. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)
T2N2cMxG4 stage 4. 43 @ dx 8/31/09
tx 9/21/09-11/06/09 cispatin/docetaxel/5-FU X3
PORT 9/9/09, PEG 12/07/09
35 IMRT-1/wk carbo 11/30/09-2/3/10
tx stopped due to complications
IMRT BOOST 3/08-3/12/10
PET 4/12/10 CLEAR!
PEG out 4/14/10
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | If you have had the growth for more then two weeks relax and get the biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to determine what it is and ignoring it by doing nothing will not change the outcome.
Good luck and hopefully you will not need this forum.
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Teresa
I am neither wise nor a women, but glad you liked my "spirits posting from beyond the grave". If Christine has used that first, I need to apologize to her for stealing it and accepting David's commendation. I had thought it to be an original thought.
Charm
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 | Nichole,
I had a punch biopsy (small circular 1/8 in. punch) The doctor packed the small hole with a substance that instantly stops the bleeding and I assume any spread of cells. I got two of these in the roof of the mouth back toward the soft palet. It was so small I did not need any stiches. It was annoying for a few days but not that bad and did not stop me from eating what i wanted.
A biopsy is a must in figuring out what it is. I pray your problem is not cancer.
Kelly
Kelly
Male
48, SCC (Soft Palet) Rt.,
Stage 1, T3n0m0,
Dx, 8-09, Start IMRT 35 9-2-09 end 10-21-09
04-20-10 NED
8-11 recurrence, node rt. neck N2b
10-11 33 IMRT w/chemo wkly
3-12-12 PET - residual cancer
4-12 5 treatments with Cyberknife & Erbitux
6-19-12 Pet scan CLEAR
12-3-12 PET - CLEAR
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | The biopsy is the gold standard for cancer Dx and no it won't spread your cancer to get one. Your mother is not giving you information based on science. They're really no big deal.
Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 | charm, thought it was christine...sorry...but u r still wise! and a man  geez, if i am going to quote someone, i should at least give credit to the original author (and his gender)! it was great though!! and i cant even use the excuse chemo brain...how about caretaker brain 
Teresa
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CG to ANDY. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)
T2N2cMxG4 stage 4. 43 @ dx 8/31/09
tx 9/21/09-11/06/09 cispatin/docetaxel/5-FU X3
PORT 9/9/09, PEG 12/07/09
35 IMRT-1/wk carbo 11/30/09-2/3/10
tx stopped due to complications
IMRT BOOST 3/08-3/12/10
PET 4/12/10 CLEAR!
PEG out 4/14/10
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 | Please, please, have the biopsy. It may have saved my life!
Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Some people just don't think or know anything about biopsies. You have a much greater chance of it spreading without a biopsy. Damn I wish some could think before they speak.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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