#73880 04-30-2008 05:32 AM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Hey everyone,
I'm having an ultrasound guided needle biopsy of my neck tomorrow, in a few different spots, and wondered if any of you could tell me what to expect. Now that the time has come I'm kind of nervous about it. Is it painful?
Thanks,
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi Minnie,
While I haven't had exactly that procedure, I have had both ultra sound and a needle biopsy in the neck. There is no pain to an ultra sound. The needle biopsy was done in doctors office in one spot. He swabbed it with something to numb it and took biopsy a few minutes later. I wouldn't call it painful, but I did feel it, slightly worse than a normal needle which I hate. I don't remember any discomfort afterwards, but that was a lot of years ago so if there was, it wasn't much. Mine was in the front of my neck. I don't know if that makes any difference or not. Ultrasound should just means they can be more accurate. What's the doctor say about pain?
Calm down. You can do it. When are you having it done?
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Hey Eileen,
I'm having it done tomorrow at 10:15am. We just arrived in Baltimore about an hour ago, it's getting to be like home to us now! The hospital has a very nice motel that gives us a great rate so we always stay there. We did notice the difference in our gas, that's for sure.
I have a friend that coaches the softball team with my husband, she's a breast cancer survivor, and she just had to have a fine needle biopsy a few weeks ago. She's kind of whimpy and went on and on about how painful it was. It wasn't until today that I started to get anxious about it, I'm the master now about now worrying about something until I absolutely have to! So, now that the time is here, I'm flipping out. The thought of having needles stuck in my radiated neck that is harder than most necks scares me, simple as that. But, it needs to be done so I'll get through it. I'll just sure be happy when it's all over.
Thanks Eileen
Take care,
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 341 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 341 | Minnie - my husband had a needle biopsy with ultrasound at the hospital during diagnosis. He had previously had the FNA in the doc's office and this 2nd was ordered for additional data. Anyway - I read him your question and he said it was no big deal at all. I don't remember him complaining either. I drove him because we thought it was a pretty big deal - but it really was totally uneventful.
Good luck tomorrow - we are all praying!
Michelle, CG to husband (45), DX 2/08 Stage IVa Adenocarcinoma Salivary Gland (T2N2bMO)
Parotidectomy & ND 2/08, Tumor margins not clear, 4 of 30 nodes positve for cancer,
TX IMRT 39x, cisplatin 7x (completed 5/1/08),
PEG (4/22 - 7/9), No port. Currently in remission!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 199 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 199 | Minnie - sorry I am late to responding - I had this done last year and it was really no big deal. They insisted my husband come with me but there was really no medical reason he needed to be there (the moral support was good) They did 2 different places, several places in each, and examined the result after each one to make sure they got what they needed. They actually could tell me then whether they saw any obvious cancerous cells but were quick to tell me that the final results would be more precise. I think the biggest problem I had was a stiff neck from having it in the same position for so long - I have cervical arthritis as well as the after-effects from my ND...
Hoping it goes easily for you....
Ginny M. SCC of Left lateral tongue Dx 04/06,Surgery MDACC 05/11/06: Partial glossectomy with selective neck dissection. T1N0M0 - no radiation. Phase III clinical trial ("EPOC" trial)04/07 thru 04/08 because tests showed a 65% chance of recurrence. 10 Year Survivor!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | I had a liver biopsy that way and it was pretty uneventful. I had an EMG a few weeks ago and they also put a long needle into my neck to measure the electrical impulses throughout my neck and shoulder. It went on forever and the only thing really uncomfortable was the 3-4 inch needle through the bottom of the chin into the tongue. I did not like that at all, especially when they asked me to make sounds and I could feel the stupid needle. Of course I am praying for you and wishing you the very best. My gas has been pretty bad, too, but the truck hates the high prices!  They tightened up my esophageal sphincter with the Nissen Fundoplication and you know it is a bit too tight now when Susan asks if they can install a blow off valve. She has asked quite a few doctors now.  I hope you get a bit of rest and I am sending you gentle thoughts and lots of love! YBIC, Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 | Minnie,
I had this 2 weeks ago on my breast. The shot to numb the area was not too bad. The procedure was painless, I just felt pressure which was much less than for a mamoram or chest x-ray.
Praying for you.
Malka
SCC stage II Partial mandibulectomy w. neck dissection- July 2005. Renal cancer w. partial nephrectomy-Jan 2004. Breast cancer discovered in routine mammogram. Successful lumpectomy, sentinal nodes clear, RT only-2008 Reconstruction of mandible w fibula free flap-Jan 09. TORS removal of begnin pappiloma from esophagus-2010. Masectomy,rt breast 2013.
Support OCF
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | Minnie- I'm sending good thoughts your way. How did the procedure go for you? Oh, I've decided to take your advice to have the future conversation and then let it go. I think that's the best advice I've had yet. It feels like a weight has been lifted. Funny how a simple suggestion can do that!
Sue
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I had a FNA in my neck and was poked twice. Other than they stay in the suspected area a little longer than a typical shot, it was no different than a shot. With that said, I think my ENT, aka Dr Death, did try to scare me into thinking it was more than it was.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 | Minnie....nothing to add. I just wanted to say that I am thinking about you and praying that all went well today. I don't have experience that enables me to offer advice, but I have lots of comfort to offer! I hope the day wasn't too bad, and that you got some good news from the testing.
XO--Colleen
Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!
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