Needle Biopsy Experiences

[MoonRocket]

I'm scheduled for a needle biopsy on Dec 9th.I'm sure many have had this procedure performed and I am asking what your experience was like. I'm getting two spot biopsied, one in the right ischium and one on a Hilar lymph node.

[StayingOptimistic]

I had one done in 2019 and it was painless

[MoonRocket in reply to StayingOptimistic]

Did you get a local in the area of the biopsy?

[StayingOptimistic in reply to MoonRocket]

It was for what they call it” anstamosis”

[MoonRocket in reply to StayingOptimistic]

Thanks...I'll look it up.

[MoonRocket in reply to StayingOptimistic]

I did a web search. Did you misspell the word?I found this: An anastomosis is a connection or opening between two things that are normally diverging or branching, such as between blood vessels, leaf veins, or streams

[NanoMRI]

I had two prostate biopsies and recently a liver biopsy. I say quell all fears and appreciate that they are a walk in the park compared to childbirth (or so they say ;). BTW, I was present for birth of both my children; and conception too I believe Be sure they are properly image guided - my prostate biopsies were not. My liver biopsy was and I got to watch; much easier than watching my own colonoscopy.

[MoonRocket in reply to NanoMRI]

I have my IR consult on Thursday so I'll be sure to ask the questions. After Monday, I'll be getting the SBRT on the ISCHIUM met and possibly the hilar node. I'm waiting for a call back so I can get the MRI and CT completed prior to SBRT. The machine is the Varian Truebeam Edge which is the latest model from Varian.

[MoonRocket in reply to MoonRocket]

I'm at my out of pocket for the year so all of this is zero cost to me and why I'm pushing to get it all completed by Dec 31st.

[Eadgbe]

I've had three. 2 on my prostate one on my lung. They were tolerable. My second prostate biopsy went septic. It took 24 hours before rigors set in. Went to ER they sent me home, then went into shock and spent 2 days in ICU and 2 weeks on a pic-line. They should not have sent me home. The lung one went south also and I lost a day in ICU (radiologist went in the wrong direction). I will have to repeat the lung one soon for medicare's sake in order to get radiation on the lung node (or surgery). Just make sure you are clean and that the biopsy isn't done in a Waffle House.

[MoonRocket in reply to Eadgbe]

Hopefully I avoid this outcome.

[SandSea in reply to Eadgbe]

My husband also went septic after his very first (and only) biopsy. It was crazy how fast it came on. He was fine in the morning and incoherent by noon. 5 days in the hospital with IV antibiotics. I'm wondering how common this is ? Experienced urologist and good hospital !

[Eadgbe in reply to SandSea]

I wonder also. No risk given by the urologist. Just a SOC. Scary for my wife. I was too out of it to notice.

[RyderLake2]

Hello,

The only needle biopsy I ever had was on my prostate. Not my finest hour! 😆 Particularly when the lab technician went up my tailpipe!

[MoonRocket in reply to RyderLake2]

I don't think the tail pipe route will be used

[addicted2cycling in reply to MoonRocket]

MoonRocket - not directly addressing your specific request for information but simply thought maybe a bit of my dry humor could lighten your day -----

I've had 5 prostate biopsies and 1 biopsy on my testicles. In April 2015 I chose to have a bi-lateral Orchiectomy (surgical castration) instead of introducing ADT drugs into my body. The Pathologist who checked my balls for cancer include this *side bar note* on his report of results ---

*I can officially confirm that 10 pounds of balls CAN INDEED FIT in a 5 pound sack* 😂

GOOD LUCK 👍👍

[MoonRocket in reply to addicted2cycling]

Thanks and you beat j-o-h-n to the joke. Next phase of this journey. Hoping this pelvic met, once treated, will allow me to get some time off the ADT meds.

[addicted2cycling in reply to MoonRocket]

👍👍

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

Of course addicted2cycling beat me to the joke. Remember, Confucius say "man on bike beats man on hike"....

BTW I had a biopsy of my lungs and it was "a nothing burger with fries"...Just make sure you double check that the needle says "Made in USA".

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

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

You've been eating a lot of nothing burgers lately

[Loveguitar]

I had one in August this year. It was under anesthesia and no pain after.

[MoonRocket in reply to Loveguitar]

I'm hoping I'm under anesthesia as well...could do the local but would prefer to be under. 😴

[BigglesOz]

If the target tissue is cancerous, all you have to worry about is extra circulating cancer cells and they will go everywhere. Bone mets will be the least onerous outcome.

Cheers

[MoonRocket in reply to BigglesOz]

I realize that...but that doesn't tell you the source. I'm having the hilar node biopsied because that one is not definitive... while I'm on the table I might as well have the ISCHIUM met biopsied for good measure.

[BigglesOz in reply to MoonRocket]

Good luck with that Mr MoonR. Biopsies are unpleasant enough. Here's a link that will help you keep a couple of steps ahead of the Onco. If nothing else it will be an interesting read... might even red pill you. Let's hope nothing comes of the biopsy.

cancerresearchsecrets.com/

[MoonRocket in reply to BigglesOz]

Yeah. That doesn't suit my treatment requirements.

[NecessarilySo in reply to BigglesOz]

Ditto that.

[BigglesOz]

That’s great!He’s a good author. Maybe someone else will pick up on the link - at least it’s out there. Thanks

[Aldo62]

What is the reason for doing the Lymph? Seems to me that if you know you have Prostate cancer and there is a spot in the lymph, you can assume it's related and just treat the cancer. I always worry about putting needles into a cancer site unless absolutely necessary. I had my lymph blow up in size when I was first diagnosed, but after I had ADT and lowered my PSA, it just completely washed out of my lymph.

[MoonRocket in reply to Aldo62]

Because, unless it's absolutely necessary, I'm not inclined to get radiation around the lung and heart. If I'm in for one I might as well get the pelvic node done as well.

[Aldo62 in reply to MoonRocket]

Understood. What is your PSA like? Are you on ADT drugs?

[MoonRocket in reply to Aldo62]

PSA is 0.36 and I'm currently on Orogovyx and Xtandi. I'm not too concerned about spread. I also like to take advantage of opportunities when I've reached my out of pocket for the year and have the insurance pick up the entire tab.

[Aldo62 in reply to MoonRocket]

Have your scans shown new developments, or are you holding steady?

[MoonRocket in reply to Aldo62]

My previous PSMA scan was negative for pelvic Mets but did show two Hilar lymph nodes. I got a biopsy but not enough material was retrieved for the pathologist to make a definitive determination. However, the pulmonologist said it wasn't PCA based on the CT scans and visual inspection. This latest PSMA scan showed the new pelvic met and a different hilar node. The previous hilar nodes have resolved. I've been told on multiple occasions by different doctors that, while not impossible, very improbable to have hilar Mets absent of abdominal Mets. Having PCA at the age of 52, even though I was officially diagnosed at 53, I'm inclined to get things confirmed.I'll send the pelvic node out for Foundation One CDX, since the insurance will pickup the 5k tab and to see if I have any additional DNA Mutations.

[Aldo62]

Don't know if your insurance covers it, but they do also have blood biopsies now that can diagnose DNA without the the possible complications of a needle biopsy. A little less intrusive.

[MoonRocket in reply to Aldo62]

Tissue biopsies are more precise and I'm getting the biopsy done so it's no added step.