Patriot trial and biopsy

[Neona57]

I was sitting on the sofa having a cry when the phone rang and it was the doctor from UCLH . She just offered me a place on the Patriot trial which is an ATR inhibitor. She said I would need a biopsy and it was done under local anaesthetic but could be uncomfortable.Does anyone have any experience of this please as I am rather frightened?

[January-2016-UK]

I’ve had two biopsies. The second was in order to start the Javelin 200 trial. It was only uncomfortable in the sense I had to lie on my stomach with my head to one side on a pillow. Because they had to go deep into the body through my back to get to a lymph node, it took quite a while as the anaesthetic was pushed forward in stages ahead of whatever was following that to get the actual sample. It was CT guided and I felt nothing at all afterwards other than I really really needed to stretch from trying to be as still as I could. It took a long time and I saw afterwards the pictures on the screen where they had to be careful to avoid some vital organs. This was done at UCL.

My first was an ultrasound guided one on the original tumour to get a specific diagnosis. It was easier and quicker as you didn’t really need a screen to show where the tumour was, by then you could see it as I was lopsided. However, although I felt nothing, there was a cut in the skin and presumably muscle which I did feel it a little for a few days, especially when walking. But nothing to write home about.

What type of biopsy are you having, do you know?

All the best.

[Neona57 in reply to January-2016-UK]

Thank you so much for this info-no have no idea what sort but was assuming a needle of some sort.

[January-2016-UK in reply to Neona57]

I meant a CT guided scan or and ultrasound guided scan. The doctor taking the biopsy has to be able to "see" into your body on a screen to see whereabouts to guide the needle to take the biopsy. If it turns out to be a CT-guided scan and you also need to have a new CT-scan to measure the starting point for the trial, ask if you can have them one after the other. It saves another visit. I expect you'll have more information once you've signed the consent forms.

[Neona57 in reply to January-2016-UK]

Yes -am waiting for info in the post. They are aware that I'm travelling from Cornwall so hopefully they'll do as much as possible together. At least the scan will give me some idea of the rate of progression. Scary though but no good sticking my head in the sand.

[Yoshbosh]

I had to have a fine needle aspiration of the ascites when I was being diagnosed. The consultant did the anaesthetic and the biopsy with the same needle. It was uncomfortable but certainly not painful. I had to keep the plaster on for a few days, but it was fine after that.

Hopefully your biopsy will be a straight forward one, and it will get you into the trial (assuming you want it?). I’m sure they won’t want it to be painful for you and will make sure you are comfortable.

Vicki x

[Neona57 in reply to Yoshbosh]

Many thanks-my recurrence is in peritoneum and liver-no idea what they have in mind though.

[Hidden]

I would take anything offered but that is me, I wish you the best of luck. If you are in Ireland then there could be a chance you might be offered one of the new parps out, They are in short supply so dont turn down anything, best wishes

[Neona57 in reply to Hidden]

Yes with you on taking whatever is offered. I'm platinum resistant so have limited options-however it does open the door to some trials.

[Jessica-DianeB]

Promising news Neona.

I expect the will take a biopsy from the peritoneum. I had it, it was uncomfortable but not agony. The area was numb, it was the thought and the 'click sound' when they retrieve the sample that was odd.

Good luck xxx

[Neona57 in reply to Jessica-DianeB]

Thank you for this-yes I guess the thought is going to be worse than the reality.

[Jessica-DianeB in reply to Neona57]

Do keep us posted xxx