Bone Biopsy Anyone?

EmilyInOntario

I haven't had much response yet on this question in another forum so thought I'd ask here. Has anyone here had a bone biopsy ( spine) to rule out mets? I have one Thursday and wondering what to expect?

lorrhaw

Hi Emily, I have had two bone biopsies, one at T10 on my spine (positive for cancer) and one on my left knee (negative for cancer).  The procedures weren't as bad as I feared since they medicated me pretty heavily although I was awake.  The one on my spine took awhile since it was on the inside of my spine so they had to go in through my back and then somehow get to the spot on the front.  The worst part was that I had to lay in one poisition with my arm over my head so my neck, arm and shoulder got very sore.  The knee one was much easier because they had a straight shot.  It hurt a little but I was still able to walk and get around just fine.

Hope this helps and I will be thinking of you on Thursday and hoping that the results of the biopsy are negative.

Lorraine

EmilyInOntario

Thanks lorrhaw...did you have to lie on your side or your stomach for the spine biopsy? Nothing was said to me about the doctor/ radiologist medicating me before the test other than my oncologist told me I could take some Tylenol #3 before if I wanted to. That didn't sound very definite on how much pain I should expect. How painful was the biopsy itself?