accuracy of biopsies? - Cancer Message Board

gwb123 · 10-26-2007, 11:30 AM

Hi to anyone who may have an answer,
How accurate are biopsies of tumors? Can biopsies of a colon tumor come back benign and still there may be some parts of the tumor which are malignant that the biopsies missed. I have had two sets of biopsies on a large mass in my colon and both have come back as non-malignant. I will be having surgery in any case, but I am concerned that the tumor may still be malignant. It is not a polyp, but a large mass. Thanks for any information you can share.

SamQKitty · 10-26-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwb123

Hi to anyone who may have an answer,
How accurate are biopsies of tumors? Can biopsies of a colon tumor come back benign and still there may be some parts of the tumor which are malignant that the biopsies missed. I have had two sets of biopsies on a large mass in my colon and both have come back as non-malignant. I will be having surgery in any case, but I am concerned that the tumor may still be malignant. It is not a polyp, but a large mass. Thanks for any information you can share.

Well, ANYTHING is possible, but I think it's highly unlikely that two biopsies both would have missed cancer cells in a mass that large.

There are many masses that grow quite large without becoming cancerous. They still have to be removed, as they can interfere with bodily functions. Hopefully your surgery will go well and this will soon be nothing but a bad memory.

Do post after your surgery and let us know how you're doing.

Ruth