Marie Mallory
Well-known member
She is doing better but still put more stents in, first stent caused blood clot. She is my last besty and I love her lots.
Medical Profession
- Thread starter Marie Mallory
- Start date
Marie Mallory
Well-known member
They say need Pet Scan for biopsy, which is dangerous so close to blood vessel and spinal cord ,nerves.
Faye Fox
Well-known member
Interesting! The MRI and/or CT is all that should be needed to do a needle biopsy on the spinal masses. They use a very fine needle and can get a mass sample without any disturbance to the nerves or blood vessels. The low back one is usually the easiest.
A PET Scan is used to show cancer spread in tissue. It doesn't give any better image of the tumors than the MRI does. A biopsy usually precedes a PET scan because, if cancer isn't found by the biopsy, then no PET scan is necessary. A biopsy is what is used to confirm or deny cancer. I have had several of them and always after MRI or CT indicated a tumor or suspicious looking mass.
If your PET shows cancer, then no biopsy will be necessary. A PET is the ultimate test for showing cancer. Mine was done from the shoulders down and showed the cancerous tumor, previously deemed cancer by biopsy, but no spread. The final result came with removal of the tumor with a lot of tissue that surrounded it and 36, if I remember right, lymph nodes removed. The removed tissue all around the previously biopsied and cancerous tumor was biopsied and so were select lymph nodes. The lymph nodes showed clean and the tissue showed the stage of the tumor. I was lucky that it hadn't gone through the tissue. It was a big tumor, but a thin one.
In all my cancer suspected cases, a biopsy was performed and a PET was done only when a mass or tumor showed cancer VIA biopsy.
I think Marie, that maybe you are confusing what the doctor said about removing the spinal tumors, with a simple biopsy of them. Yes, sometimes spinal tumors, even benign are difficult or impossible to remove safely. I certainly hope the PET scan results show a path for treatment and getting you out of at least the worst pain.
Tony Nathanson
Well-known member
I think our opinions about medical professionals is dependent on our personal experiences. Mine have taught me that I have to be wary if I want to go on living.
Marie Miller
Well-known member
Trust and verify!
Patients have to be patient sometimes. It takes diagnostics to diagnose a lot of problems. Technology has specialized medical professionals. Patients enjoy the progress but have to work with it. BE HONEST with your physician! If medication does not work on day one like a miracle please do not throw it in the trash. There are proper ways of disposing it. A physician is only as good as his/her training and the patient. Keep records of calls, conversations, reactions and share them at each visit. Outburst are for at home preferably with a caring person.
SO checked out of the hospital 24 hours after major spinal surgery. He wanted to go home. Fine. The house was/is set up. I was not after two days. I had a melt down after two days and threatened to take him to the rehab facility if he does not do what he is supposed to. Apparently it worked.
His cancer was easier at least on me.
Beth Gallagher
Well-known member
This is certainly true on both counts. We must be our own best advocates.