Lungs biopsy

[mbogorad]

Anybody had a lungs biopsy? What’s it like?

[Hidden]

Hi mbogorad -

Gosh, I'm sure it's stressful....and I've not had one yet...but my sister has had two and I've seen numerous people in this community have them, too and the consensus is....not nearly as bad as one might imagine!

I'm sure someone with actual experience will respond soon, but in the meantime wanted to share this....

Take care!

Lynn

[SabaAK in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lynn,does your sister have MBC as well?

[Hidden in reply to SabaAK]

Yes, she does… Hers is triple negative mine is slightly ER positive… We were diagnosed initially at the same time a little over 12 years ago and then metastatic at the same time a little over seven years ago, so we have definitely gone through this together every step of the way… It has made a huge difference for me😊

[SabaAK in reply to Hidden]

Wow

[Winner123]

My wife had one. It's unpleasant but it's over quite quickly. Sorry I can't bring good news about it but is over quickly. Good luck, hope it goes well. X ❤️

[Leefromct]

Yes I had a lung biopsy. My only complaint was that I couldn’t have anything to drink for an hour after the procedure while I was in recovery. It was an outpatient procedure and I was feeling ok in a day or two. Good luck.

[fancydog]

I had a robotic type of lung biopsy last year. Have you talked to the surgeon who will be doing this? Based on the location of the area they need to access it could be open flap or robotic arthroscopically done. It was much more tolerable than I had prepared for, 3 days in the hospital then some dressing changes for about a week at home.

[Beattheodds]

Had needle lung biopsy. Radiologists CT scan to see where needle (very long) needs to be inserted in nodule. You need to be awake to be able to take a deep breath while this is done. They can give mild sedative for you to relax. Unfortunately, I coughed and they couldn’t get sample so ended up having robotic excision of part of lung so they could do biopsy of nodules. Confirmed MBC so treatment started 2019. Best of luck with your prognosis.

[mbogorad]

Thank you for responding. This is helpful

[Brilly2501]

I had one and I was sedated, I was apparently worried because under sedation I asked the dr if he was coming to the house later to check on me 😜 Mine was not bad I think the thought of it is WAY worse than the procedure

[FloridaNYgirl]

Hi mbogorad, I had lung biopsy done this past fall. Outpatient procedure at hospital. Same as beattheodds above. Mapped area for needle insertion, I was sedated just enough to be relaxed, but I needed to be awake to hold my breath when necessary. Local anesthetic used to numb area. My nodules were in upper lobe of lung so they went into my lung between ribs just below my armpit. Felt no pain at all during procedure. I had to wait in recovery to have an xray to be sure lung was not damaged during procedure (just a precaution). The next day all I felt was slightly bruised. The hardest part is the mental aspect, the stress, the worry. It did confirm that my cancer was the same as my original diagnosis 13 years earlier and the oncologist was able to prescribe approximate medication. Good luck to you. Let us know how you do. ❤

[mbogorad in reply to FloridaNYgirl]

Thank you FloridaNYgirl.

[Onie54]

Do you know what kind of biopsy you will have? There is the needle biopsy as mentioned above by the others, needle biopsy guided by CT.

I had what’s called a VATS, video assisted thoracic surgery. A little more invasive as they took a larger section of my lower right lung to get a couple of nodules. They also performed a bronchoscopy in order to test the pleural fluid as there was a nodule there as well. It’s at least a one to two night stay (barring any complications or other procedures) as you have a chest tube for drainage.

Not everyone has to go through this type, all depends on how easily they can access the nodules.

Susie

[mbogorad in reply to Onie54]

Thank you Susie.

[Onie54 in reply to mbogorad]

Good luck with the biopsy 🤞❤️

[Sejj]

Hi LynnFish, I had one about 3 years ago. They sedate you a little and go in with biopsy needle through left or right side of your back.Recovery is pretty quick and then you go home same day. Results usually take about a week.

I wish you all of the best and minimal discomfort.

Marilyn

[mbogorad in reply to Sejj]

Thank you Sejj.

[lynnhbtb]

Had one of those. It wasn't bad. THey put you to sleep, of course. I got lucky and they couldn't find anything. Best of luck to you. The only thing was a little sore throat after from the tube for breathing during the procedure.

[mbogorad in reply to lynnhbtb]

Thank you for responding. I am very nervous.

[lynnhbtb]

Try not to be. It really wasn't bad at all.

[lynnhbtb]

Oh, and I had a bronchoscopy, not through my back.