Lung biopsy experience?

[barrybayarea]

I am 55, dad to a 10 year old boy who lost his mom to brain cancer in Feb 2019. I got diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in Sept 2019, PSA of 32, then 43, Gleason 9 (4+5) on all 14 samples taken in the biopsy. After 2 months on Lupron and Casodex, PSA down to 2.2 then 0.6. I started Zytiga a week ago. The cancer has spread to my lymph nodes. I also have 4 small spots in my lungs, largest 1 cm, initially they said it was my prostate cancer. Doc said “what else can it be”? My bone scan was negative.

Now they are not sure about my lungs, since they have not reduced or increased in the 2-month CT scan. I am scheduled for a lung biopsy on Jan 8th. Anyone have experience with a needle lung biopsy, a doctor had said it is not too safe as my largest spot in only 1cm and 8cm deep into my chest. Anyone gone through a lung biopsy? If so, please share your experiences.

[Tall_Allen]

My friend who had prostate cancer also had a lung lesion on a CT scan. The interventional radiologist just numbed the area and targeted it while he was in the CT machine. He said it was painless - no complications. It turned out to be a second primary lung cancer. He was very lucky they found it so early. They just blasted it with SBRT in 3 treatments and it is gone. They confirm every 6 months with an FDG PET scan.

[tallguy2]

Did you have a scan (PET with Axumin) to help determine what is and is not prostate cancer metastasis?

Yes, I had a needle biopsy of a small mass in my lung in October 2018. This was because my MO didn't want to take any chances. The mass did not light up with the PET/Axumin scan.

Bottom line: it is done on an outpatient basis, it is done under enough sedation that you won't feel a thing, and they hold you a couple of hours afterwards to make sure that there no complications. You will need a ride home because of the sedation.

Piece of cake.

[barrybayarea in reply to tallguy2]

No PET scan, Kaiser my medical provider seems very hesitant on doing too many tests.

[Db999]

Yes I had one Feb 2019 ... I had an 11mm lesion found on a PET scan that was biopsied. The procedure isn’t that big of a deal .. In and out of the ct scan machine many times and your quite out of it ... Mine was PC but after 3-4 months in Zitiga and Lupron it went away !! I wish you the best. Currently 10 months of undetectable PSA and now no Mets ...

[Paul_Henderson]

I do not want to be the bearer of bad news but do know that there can be complications. I underwent a needle biopsy of a spot on a lung in July - it was indeed meant to be an outpatient procedure - I was sedated. Unfortunately I developed a pneumothorax (lung collapsed) and that led to 5 days in the hospital while the lung re-inflated. My hospital stay would likely have been shorter if I had lived closer to the hospital and the lung may not have collapsed if I hadn't been a smoker for more years than I care to remember. The good news is that the biopsy was benign - it was just some sort of nodule or something.

[Hidden in reply to Paul_Henderson]

😂

[tallguy2 in reply to Paul_Henderson]

Yes, that is one of the potential complications of a lung biopsy. I'm sorry to hear about your experience.

[MichaelDD]

I have lung metastasis. Nothing (so far)anywhere else. More then 10 nodules to both lungs . Mine was confirmed by a GS68-PSMA scan a year ago+ at UCSF. I have had very little shrinkage but no growth either. Currently on Zytiga, Prednisone and Lupron. For the last 8 months my PSA is <.006. Stay strong....

[j-o-h-n]

Had one.... no problem... I have a Lung Melanoma and am fighting it with Keytruda and it's working.... BTW were you (or are you) a smoker? I feel your pain with having a 10 year old son at this stage in your life.... Fight hard and you'll win..... Where are you located, being treated and doctor's name(s)? All info is voluntary. Thank you....

Good Luck, Good Health and Humor.

J-o-h-n Sunday 12/29/2019 11:49 AM EST

[barrybayarea in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thanks for the reply John. Yes on smoker, had quit but started again when I was taking care my son's mom during her cancer, lots of sleepless nights for more than 1 year. I live in the Bay Area, Oakland. Being treated at Kaiser by Dr. K (Oncologist). He used to be at USCF and came to Kaiser Oakland 1-year ago. The experience at Kaiser has not been great so far, they seem to miss a lot of things. When they did my 2nd CT scan, they did not want to scan my prostate and lymph nodes again after 2-months of treatment even though they had me under the scope for lung CT, I am assuming they are trying to save a few $. When I was first diagnosed Dr. Kim wanted to do our first meeting by phone, I had to insist to see him in person. Then they "forgot" to book my followup appoinment and his calendar got full, took some effort to see him again. I got a 2nd opinion at Stanford with Dr. Sandy, she suggested I wait another month before starting chemo, to repeat the CT scan to see if my lung lesions were reducing.

[j-o-h-n in reply to barrybayarea]

Thank you for your reply. You certainly have been through the mill.

It may be a good idea to post a question here that if anyone here can vouch for a new doctor(s) and Health care facility near you for better care. If you do post, post on another day and not to me. Take good care of yourself and definately your son.... cause when you're in your 90's you're gonna need someone to visit you in the nursing home.

BTW I used to be a heavy smoker long long time ago... and before my melanoma the doctors would pick up a spot on my lung.... which they watch via scans/mri's and they were not concerned as long as the spot did not get bigger.

Good Luck, Good Health and Humor.

J-o-h-n Sunday 12/29/2019 3:17 AM EST

[Neathuh1]

Like several others, I’ve also had the needle biopsy of a lung. Turned out to be prostate metastasis. The procedure was not painful and I didn’t even have sedation. Don’t worry about it. Git ‘ur dun!

[Magnus1964]

Provenge was used to take care of lung nodules.

[DenDoc]

I had a biopsy and like others here report it was no problem. The importance for me was they diagnosed a second cell line (Small Cell) and sent it for genetic testing. This has allowed them to use tumor specific treatment. My care at Kaiser in Denver has been flawless.

Wish you the best with your young family.

[monte1111]

Geeze. This has been a crappy year for you. I'm betting on you. Best of wishes.

[Kevinski65]

I had a pet scan, was found to have a hamatoma a benign small tumor. Later I developed a tree in bud it went away on it’s own .