Bronchoscopy

[Fdccs]

Hi everyone, going out of my mind with worry. If anyone's had this procedure, how long did results take? Thanks

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Fdccs

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear of your anxious wait. The biopsy results usually take 1-2 weeks to determine if it is cancer or not, depending on your local hospital, it may take a further 1-2 weeks to detect any cancer cell mutations, which may enable the person to have different treatment options such as immunotherapies or targeted therapies if required.

It is understandably a very anxious and difficult time waiting for these results. Some doctors are able to give a possible diagnosis from the scans, but the biopsy is the best way to provide an accurate diagnosis.

This link is to our booklet on the investigations for lung cancer: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

You may have been given a number for a nurse specialist at the hospital, you could contact them to discuss. The day procedure unit will be able to provide information on the results and sometimes the doctor will explain what has been seen from the bronchoscopy prior to your discharge.

You are very welcome to contact us if you would like to discuss anything, you can call our ask the nurse helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email us at [e-mail]

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Kazzacrazy]

Hi they told me after my procedure that it looked very suspicious but the full results were about 2 weeks. It's really hard waiting for results just try and keep yourself occupied until then.

[Fdccs in reply to Kazzacrazy]

Thank you. Yes I'm trying to keep busy, I just don't understand why the lung process having gone through other cancers with loved ones is so drawn out. Got pet scan tomorrow and then have to wait weeks for those results before they then even order biopsy which will be weeks to wait for procedure and then weeks for results. It seems never ending at the moment x

[ScottishMisty]

Morning. I get annual bronchoscopies and it is a worry but my lung team usually come see me before discharge and tell me if they have physically seen any issues and if biopsies were taken. The waiting for results is nailbiting but I've learnt just to try and get on with life.I had Neuroendocrine Tumour in upper right lobe and bronchus removed in 2020. Didn't clear margins so will be under lung team for life.

Good Luck with your procedure.

[Susie215]

I have had multiple bronchoscopies and biopsies. Never had any complications and usually know results in couple days except for marker/mutation testing which takes longer

[Mindini1964]

Hi, I had this procedure in November, unfortunately it didn't work for me as the tube wouldn't reach my nodule. I think results would be back fairly quickly though. The whole procedure was painless with sedation and the worst was the cough as you wake up. Hope you get ur results soon.

Regards

Amanda

[JanetteR57]

Bronchoscopies are carried out for a number of reasons and over the years I've had 5 or 6 - my first aged 12 for a suspected collapsed lung and the rest since lung cancer diagnosis and treatment at the end of 2010 to remove 7cm tumour and half left lung. Some have involved taking brushings/washings for cells to send off - others to investigate what looked suspicious on imaging but turned out to be scar tissue inflammation, infection and other things - always explained by the consultant even if it always involved waiting some time to hear the news.

Since my diagnosis, the treatment landscape has changed completely for lung cancer including targeted lung health checks for screening/earlier detection which has shown how common lung nodules are. the majority of lung nodules are benign - i.e. not serious and there are specific guidelines from the British thoracic society on how to manage these which for some are further images and for some, further investigation. The many treatments now for lung cancer alongside the more traditional surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy all require tissue samples (biopsy) to determine the various characteristics of the tumour. Dependent on the results, different treatments may be offered including targeted therapies or immunotherapy often in combination with other types. Clearly if the bronchoscopy doesn't show anything malignant, then the patient can be redirected to whatever is causing the problem or discharged back to the GP.

Giving the patient the wrong type of treatment is harmful so they have to wait for results. With so many people now in the pipeline for all sorts of genetic tests and their samples in the lab queue along with those being investigated for suspected cancer or other conditions, they all have to wait as there are only so many can be done at one time. Some years ago I saw a video of how many checks are made and really thin slices of the samples put under microscopes to be investigated by pathologists and marvelled that the results came back at all!

It's easy to imagine the worst and think that something must be taking over our body/system whilst we're waiting but the reality is they've been there some time anyway and getting the most effective treatment type is much more important. lung cancer treatments are much more personalised to the individual so comparing to other people/cancer types is not helpful.

I've found over the years that distracting myself by keeping busy, helping others, doing something useful or relaxing, immersing myself in something to keep my mind off thinking about it all the time have helped me through no end of investigations/hospital visits and tests. Finding a way to cope is essential - so whatever works for you, go for it.

Worrying about things will only make you ill and won't change the results - they will be the same whatever you think or do. Anxiety and worry can cause real physical symptoms that won't help you in any way - try breathing exercises, mindfulness, clearing out a cupboard, watching a good boxset/film, sew some seeds/plant out some seedlings, plan a part of your garden if you have one, read books on your shelf you meant to get around to, sort out photos into albums or online, tidy up your shed/cupboards/drawers, have a clear out for charity, - whatever - often a sense of satisfaction for tackling something well overdue then takes over the worry.

Thinking of you and hope you find a way to deal with the wait and results when you eventually get them.... good luck.

[Fdccs in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you for your knowledgeable and kind words. Really appreciate your time and kindness x