T-11 Spine biopsy- what to expect

Annie62

So the interventional radiologist told my onc that they preferred to biopsy the suspected met on my vertebra rather than the liver. Going in on Wednesday. Anyone have this done and can tell me what's involved?  I have to get there at 8 am and the biopsy isn't until 10. Seems like a long time  to 'wait'.

Thanks,

Annie

packaging

Looking for the same Annie.  I am having this done today at 2:00 on t4.  What tests have you had done so far.  I had bone scan, mri and ct.  All said highly suspicious for metastases.  Will get biopsy results Thursday.  Fingers crossed!

Maureen 

Annie62

Maureen,

I wish you the best today. First that it goes smoothly and painlessly. Second that its not mets. Whoever thought we'd be hoping for arthritis.

I've had a bone scan, ct scan and mri. I did show some arthitis elsewhere but the one spot looked 'concerning' for mets. In the course of a ct scan they also found some new lesions on my liver.  mri didn't tell them much about them, so i'm going in for the biopsy on the spine.

Hang in there and let me know how everthing goes.

Annie 

Annie62

I figured I'd reply to my own post so if anyone else is looking for this info they can possibly find it. Only prep was not eating/drinking after midnight. I had concious sedation. Lidocaine was injected in the skin around the site. That hurt a little but for just a second. They used an x-ray to see where exactly to put the needle. The needle didn't hurt going in but when they pull out the cells I could feel it and it felt uncomfortable but not too painful. Unpleasant mild pain for about 5 sections 3 times. After, I spent a few hours in recovery. They wanted to make sure that that I could move all my limbs etc because of the proximity to the spinal column.  I was sleepy. Instructions for home - wear bandage for 24-48 hours, don't lift heavier than 15 lbs for a few days, take it easy. I worked from home th enext day to avoid a 1.5 hour commute with a bandage on my back.

 ETA: No pain after procedure. Didn't even need Tylenol. 

That's it. Hopefully it will come back B9.

Oh and I found out that they chose the spine over the liver because the liver lesions were too small (1 cm).

LRM216

Annie and Maureen:

Thinking of you both and hoping beyond hope that you both get back benign results.  Stay strong.  Keeping you both in my thoughts,

Linda

Annie62

Updated to say - negative for cancer. Yay!

LRM216

What a relief for you, Annie.  God bless, am so happy to hear your news.

Linda