Time to Get a Biopsy
After the results of the new PET/CT scans and MRI were reviewed it was time for me to make some decisions. I asked my oncologist to get me an appointment for a consultation with the surgeon that had performed my surgery in 2008. I trusted him to help me navigate this serious territory so I could give my oncologist the information that was only available to them from a biopsy, while hopefully, avoiding major surgery to get it.
After the surgeon reviewed all of the information about my case he discussed the situation with my oncologist. Together they decided, that even though it wasn’t the “preferred” method to retrieve a biopsy they would use the “second best” method which was for an Interventional Radiologist to obtain the biopsy.
An Interventional Radiologist uses a CT scan to very precisely guide an instrument to the exact area in my body the biopsy is needed from. The procedure is done outpatient and takes very little time and requires minimal recuperation time.
The reason an oncologist always wants a large biopsy sample is that it provides a lot of information. Whereas, a small biopsy sample only provides a small amount of information.
After the biopsy was tested in the lab I was told that it indicated the lymphoma had transformed into high-grade, which is very aggressive. And, the small sample made it impossible for them to rule out the possibility of large cell follicular lymphoma. (Remember what I explained earlier.)
With the biopsy information in hand my oncologist recommended my best options. Then we established a plan and put it into action. In this case time was proving to be my enemy.
HOPE in the Heartland 