False Negative on Biopsy - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Songdiva · 10-26-2005, 07:03 PM

How common is it to have a false negative on a needle biopsy of the lung? My mom has been going through tests, including a bronchoscopy, a needle biopsy, and a PET scan, over the last two months and they still don't know anything. Her needle biopsy came up negative, but the PET scan is showing lung cancer. The lung specialist thinks it is cancer, and he thinks the biopsy might be showing a false negative.

Does it normally take this long to be diagnosed? And how common are false negative biopsy results?

tuckygal · 10-27-2005, 06:06 AM

Hello, it is my understanding that a needle biopsy might not show cancer cells because there was not enough tissue to check or the tissue collected simply didn't contain cancer cells. A PET scan is supposed to be the deciding factor. I hope treatment is started soon. By the way, my small cell lung cancer is in remission at the present time because mine was caught before it got too advanced. My prayers are with you all.

Karen44 · 10-27-2005, 11:20 AM

My husband had two biopsy's ,one a bronscopy,one needle biopsy both were false negative.
A PET scan is indeed a definative tool for dx of cancer in the body.
I know the frustration of waiting for results.
I would recommend asking the Dr to do another biopsy,you need to know what kind of cancer you're dealing with so you can recieve the right treatment for the cancer.
I wouldn't hestate.
God Bless You I will pray for your family

Karen44

Songdiva · 10-29-2005, 08:35 AM

Yes, the doctor does want to do another biopsy. If possible, he wants her to see a thoracic surgeon about a surgical biopsy. They may not be able to operate because of her age and her emphysema. They are having her take lung function tests next week to check that. My mother is 74 years old, so I don't know if surgery will be an option with all those considerations.

If they can't do the surgery, what other choices does she have for a definitive diagnosis? She's already had 2 CT scans, a bronchoscopy (negative), needle biopsy (negative), and a PET scan. This just seems to be dragging on and on.

Tiz · 10-30-2005, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Songdiva

Yes, the doctor does want to do another biopsy. If possible, he wants her to see a thoracic surgeon about a surgical biopsy. They may not be able to operate because of her age and her emphysema. They are having her take lung function tests next week to check that. My mother is 74 years old, so I don't know if surgery will be an option with all those considerations.

If they can't do the surgery, what other choices does she have for a definitive diagnosis? She's already had 2 CT scans, a bronchoscopy (negative), needle biopsy (negative), and a PET scan. This just seems to be dragging on and on.

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Hi...do you know that an active infection will show up looking like cancer on a PET scan? How large is your mother's mass and how quickly is it growing?

sincerely.................Tiz.