Scared to have a spine biopsy

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Mary85
Mary85 Member Posts: 46
edited August 2017 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hi ladies!

I have new mets to my spine and my onco wants a biopsy to determine if they are HER2 positive. I've had a bone biopsy previously but it was on my femur/hip. I'm terrified to have a biopsy on my spine. I'm already in pain--is there a chance the biopsy could make it worse? Any advice would be appreciated. I don't know what to expect and I'm kind of freaking out.

Thanks. :)

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  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited August 2017

    Hopefully someone will be along soon that has had one and will help talk you down. In the meantime, I just wanted to let you know that I was thinking and praying for you. I'm hoping everything goes well with the biopsy.

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  • Mary85
    Mary85 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2017

    Thanks so much Kandy! Your well wishes are very much appreciated. :)

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  • Chicagoan
    Chicagoan Member Posts: 728
    edited August 2017

    Hi Mary,

    I had to have spine biopsy last April and was terrified at the prospect so I can relate to your fears. I spoke to the doctor who was performing it prior to agreeing to have it done. I was afraid I could end up paralyzed or with long-term back pain. He explained the process to me-mine was done using interventional radiology. They carefully map out the spots, using a graph. A needle is used to take samples of the lesions. A pathologist checked the samples during the procedures to make sure they had what they needed. Mine went so easily-it was performed by a resident who was observed by another more senior doctor. I had no pain, other than the initial prick of the sedative. I was out for most of the procedure-I slept in recovery for a few hours, then a friend picked me up and we went out to lunch. I had some slight soreness for a few days but that was it. Hopefully yours will be smooth sailing as well.

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  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited August 2017

    Hi Mary, I had a biopsy on my spine (L5) and it was an easy process. I was awake and talking during the procedure, actually we were telling jokes. The hardest part was keeping completely still and trying not to laugh. I felt no pain apart from a slight sting from the local anaesthetic. There was some pushing pressure. I left the hospital about an hour after the procedure and did my grocery shopping. I took some over the counter pain relief that night, but that was it.

    Best wishes.

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  • Chico
    Chico Member Posts: 196
    edited August 2017

    Understand all your fears with this. I had this done a year ago using ct to guide the consultant. I was just given local anaesthetic & had 4 biopsys taken - one from a rib, two from a tumour on the spine and one from the "spine" somewhere. It was completely painless and I was out to lunch with my husband straight after the procedure. Good luck. X

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  • Mary85
    Mary85 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2017

    Hi ladies! Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. Looks like I was afraid for nothing. lol. It gives me a lot of comfort knowing you all were able to go out to lunch and run errands shortly after the procedure. I have my fingers crossed that my procedure goes that smoothly as well. Thank you again. I will update you all after the biopsy this Thursday. Take care. :)

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  • Mary85
    Mary85 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2017

    The biopsy went well! They had to poke me twice because the first needle insertion wasn't in the right place (something about trying to avoid rib bearing bones I think?). But all of you ladies were spot on, I appreciate the support. I wasn't quite up to running errands afterwards since I'm usually a mess from the anesthesia, but it wasn't as bad as I was thinking. Now it's time to wait for results! The most fun part. Haha.

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  • Freya244117
    Freya244117 Member Posts: 603
    edited August 2017

    Hi Mary, glad it went well for you. When do you expect to hear the results?

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  • Mary85
    Mary85 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2017

    Hi Freya. Thank you! This test is to determine if I am HER2+. They said it can take up to 7 business days. Hopefully I'll luck up and get results sooner.

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  • Chicagoan
    Chicagoan Member Posts: 728
    edited August 2017

    So glad to hear it went well. Now the waiting ..... crazy how long it takes to get results. Hoping you get the information you need on how to proceed with effective treatment for your healing.

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  • Chico
    Chico Member Posts: 196
    edited August 2017

    Glad it went well. For all sorts of reasons I had to wait for this result for several weeks so really understand what you are going through. I find all the waiting for results is far worse than any news. I just want to know what's going on so that I can take back some control. Good luck. X

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