A full tumor biopsy. lesion on L3 vert. - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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A full tumor biopsy. lesion on L3 vert.

Costarica1961 profile image
35 Replies

Ok I would be very interested to know if anybody has had this procedure done. I will describe what I was told would happen . Fast the night before. Arrive one hour and a half early for prep. A needle will be administered through my oblique into my L3 VERT all the way. I will be under sedation and a numbing agent will be applied to the site where the needle will be directed. Although I have heard from the tech it's extremely painful. These are never words I would want to hear. Although ..supposedly crucial to my treatment plan. My question. Is there a possible alternate plan of attack other than this and if somebody out there has experience what did you endure with this procedure.

Thank you

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Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961
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35 Replies
Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

IMHO, an IHC analysis of tumor tissue is an important first step, and if there is enough tissue for a genomic analysis, that is certainly good to have as well. Guardant 360 is a simple blood test that looks at the cancer DNA in the blood, but it doesn't give the data that only staining the tissue can provide.

If you are under sedation, how will you feel pain?

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to Tall_Allen

Thanks to you and others I have talked myself into it regardless anxiety be damned. Spoke to the doc, as well not as bad once I thought

Thankyou

That tech did you no favor by saying that . Why scare you like that? You will fix this Costarica,I’m pulling for you amigo . You’ll conquer that met and get some relief .... my opinion is the sooner the better that you tackle it .

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to

Thankyou my friend

nobaday profile image
nobaday

If you are under sedation why would there be pain. I had a biopsy of T9 under sedation. .. out cold...Did not feel a thing!!!

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to nobaday

I believe its light sedation. Never did it glad to hear yours was pain free after .Monday I may be able to report to the newbies it's a piece of cake. Thank you

in reply to Costarica1961

It’s the not knowing that sucks about pc..Tell them to amp up the sedation that you can’t take pain .

nobaday profile image
nobaday

Go for the heavy (out of it) sedation with an anaesethist ( I cant spell) present. And when you zap it with stereotactic radiation, negligible pain and side effects of all goes well!!

in reply to nobaday

I agree totally, propathal works like a miracle ..

tallguy2 profile image
tallguy2

Not this specific procedure, but one like it yesterday. My research MO ordered a biopsy of a current met , stating that the genetic markers from the original met 7 years ago may no longer apply. I was under general sedation as a needle biopsy was done 4 inches into my back to get at a lymph node. I was awake but calmed. There was also local anesthetic applied as the needle went deeper. Yes, I felt some discomfort for a few of the 8 cores taken from the lymph node.

Not pleasant, but the genetic markers will help with your treatment now as well as years from now. Do this, my fellow traveler.

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to tallguy2

Ok I will thankyou.

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961

Very true, actually deep down inside , once I completely understood the reasons and the process they do. step by step and blow blow procedure. My concerns were far less. It's always the unknown that stirs me up. Of we live with that daily.

in reply to Costarica1961

Get this thing fixed and then back to a little pura Vida..

Dalipup profile image
Dalipup

My husband has had two bone biopsies and two bone marrow biopsies. Not at the L3 vert but in his pelvic bone. He said he felt pressure but no pain. His recovery from the bone biopsies was minimal. He was moving around the next day with no pain other that he felt he had a small cut on his back. the marrow biopsy was a little longer but nothing terrible Hope this helps your anxiety a little

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to Dalipup

Thank you it does.

TonyS58 profile image
TonyS58

My PC has spread to multiple vertebrae and I had the misfortune of fracturing L2 while working in the yard 10 weeks ago. While the fracture hurt like hell, the Kyphoplasty to repair the fracture (two needles inserted into the vertebrae to allow balloons to be inserted and inflated, followed by cement, which holds the pieces in place) did not hurt. They also did bone biopsies as part of the process. I was under light anaesthesia similar to a colonoscopy (propofol) and recovery was quick with no stitches and just a couple of small adhesive bandages. There was minimal pain after the process. It just felt like I had a couple of needle sticks. I was able to walk normally in a couple hours.

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to TonyS58

It's incredible to be a part of this forum. I am definitely not alone.

Thankyou

TonyS58 profile image
TonyS58 in reply to Costarica1961

No, you're definitly not alone. Collectively, we've been through it all.

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to Costarica1961

Sorry for your misfortune, fight on.

in reply to Costarica1961

😂🤙🏽No you are not.

in reply to TonyS58

I had propafol one time for orchiectomy . The guy came in and said “ here’s a little something to relax you . I looked at the nurse and my wife and told them “ I’m ready to go”! Their reply was “ You already did it “ It was amazing !! We went home . Never felt a thing.

Parscore profile image
Parscore

"I had gold markers placed in my prostate for RT". So was that for treatment or part of the testing. Are you referring to the nonmedical/medicine approach. Have been reading a lot on that treatment approach lately.

in reply to Parscore

Yes they put gold markers in my prostate and three tattooed dots on me to pinpoint 8 weeks of ImRt . For me the good news is that it worked for over four and half years now . Take care ....Scott

Parscore profile image
Parscore in reply to

Thank you for the response.

in reply to Parscore

It was not painful just weird with my poor wife looking on .

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to

Wife will be there, but out spending money in the gift shop.

in reply to Costarica1961

Hahaha. Not mine . She’s hands on .

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”: FDR’s First Inaugural Address

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 11/16/2019 10:48 PM EST

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to j-o-h-n

Or a 6 inch needle in my vertebrae.

LoL

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply to Costarica1961

No need to worry they test out "your" needle on four prior patients who screamed...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 11/17/2019 5:56 PM EST

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to j-o-h-n

Humor is the best medicine

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply to Costarica1961

usaidit...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 11/17/2019 7:13 PM EST

monte1111 profile image
monte1111

Well, thanks everyone. After the 14 brutal core samples of my prostate, I swore no more biopsies. Maybe I'll consider a 6 inch needle in my vertebrae.

SatuitMike profile image
SatuitMike

I had this procedure done twice in the last three months as part of a trial. Mine was done by two doctors with experienced nurses. Mild sedation. No pain. If a technician is doing the work find another hospital.

Costarica1961 profile image
Costarica1961 in reply to SatuitMike

Thankyou. It's a doctor and a nurse and a tech from what I understand. I just awoke a few minutes ago and today I will get this done. and hearing these words from you are a tremendous comfort. I have already resigned myself to the importance and will proceed with it, although the bafoon on Friday with admitting said it was extremely painful. Not what you wanna hear. with the very recent diagnosis of Mets and the whirlwind of docs and new meds being thrown at me it was so to deal with. But thanks to you and others on this site its tolerable. Thankyou.

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