Bone Biopsy ??

Mikeswife

I haven't posted in a while, I mostly read what you all have to say, I find encouragement and try to find answers without asking questions because I think that I am probably asking dumb questions. My husband is the one battling BC, back in Oct of 2011, we were told he had a single spot of bone mets to his pelvic bone. He was not in pain at that time. A biopsy showed no maligancy, although based on pet scan they (oncologist) was certain that is what it was. Now a new pet and bone scan reveals that the spot iss doubled in size (3cm) and suv is now 8, (it was 5). Oncologist says that bone biopsy often take a couple times before maligancy shows up, IS THIS TRUE?? why didn't they tell us that,?? We were happy thinking he was ok. He is in quite a bit of pain, he had to stop the tamoxifin back in Nov because of side effects, then he was anastrozole, he also had severe side effects with that one, now she says we will wait till after this biopsy for a new medication. She said probably radiation.  Sorry for the long post I just don't understand the biopsy stuff.

Thank you..laura

37antiques

Hi Laura,

Yes, it can take a couple of scans, and they always biopsy to be certain.  The reason being, if you scan, but it isn't certain,  then they scan at a later date and it has grown or changed, it is more likely to be mets.  The biopsy confirms it, but they should also be checking it to make sure the ER/PR status has not changed with it as well.  Then they know how to treat it best.  The radiation should help a great deal with the pain.

Sorry you're going through this.

((hugs))

Cynthia1962

I've never heard that a bone bx takes awhile to show malignancy.  It sounds to me as if they missed the spot the first time or got a sampling of cells that weren't malignant within a larger lesion of malignancy.  I'm sorry the lesion turned out to be bc.  I've personally never had my bone mets bx'd.  My onc switched me from Tamoxifen to Arimidex and my tumor markers went down and the pain went away so it's pretty clear it's bc.  Good luck and I hope your husband finds a tx that works for him with fewer side effects.

Mikeswife

Thanks for your responses, today, I am tired, he had a rough night sleeping because of pain. It is hard watching him battle.

Laura