What to expect: ENT, biopsy? - Lymphomas Message Board

maecar · 09-19-2006, 09:02 AM

Okay, I have an appointment with the ENT on Monday.

What should I expect? He is an otolarygnologist- so he does head and neck surgery.

Where do they do biopsy's? In the office or an outpatient procedure at the hospital? Will the ENT do it or someone esle? How long after initial appointment?

Where is it sent? how long will it take to get results?

if it is positive... what happens next? oncologist?

when will I have a full chest scan?

thanks for your replies.

beckyb46 · 09-19-2006, 11:02 AM

My biopsy was done in the Ambulatory outpatient part of the hospital. I had a lymph node biopsy of the neck. I was given general. Some Docs just used twilight. But I did fine. He did an excision and sent it out to the lab. And call in 2 days later. Then I made an appointment with oncologist or hemotogist they are the same doctor.
As most people on this board will tell you. It is a good thing that you are taken care of this.
Yes it is anxiety producing and the waiting for results can be a nightmare. I was given something for anxiety also.
Try not to read into how the nurses and every one acts. I did that. I would go home and replay every bit of conversation in my head. It doesn't do any good.
Just know that you will be treated. And more than likely will have a positive outcome.

Take care

Debbiefix · 09-19-2006, 11:43 AM

When I had mine, I had already waited for a month for appointments with my PCP and then the surgeon. I told the surgeon I needed to know immediately...I was going crazy, couldn't eat, couldn't sleep.
I had the excissional biopsy at the surgicenter (day surgery) at the hospital. It was done on a groin lymph node. I had versaid and morphine and knew nothing. I remember going into the OR and hearing the music. Next thing I knew I was in the recovery room drinking ginger ale. The doctor promised me he'd have them do a frozen section so I would know immediately. He had the results when I woke up...sure enough, non hodgkins, low grade, I'd had it a very long time. Later, after seeing the oncologist I found out that I'd had it for at least 20 years!!! Yikes! I was stage IV, with bone marrow involvement. Stage IV just meant that it was above and below the diaphragm and in an organ (bone marrow) I have had easy treatments of Rituxan and am currently in remission...no nausea, no fatigue, no hair loss. It just wasn't so bad.

NY 1009 · 09-20-2006, 06:53 AM

Maecar,
don't forget to get a second opinion on the biopsy from a seperate lab.
always get it checked from another pathologist just to make sure.
you CAN request this to your ent doctor before the biopsy.
my ent did it without my having to ask and I was suprised he had done that. the wait is even longer but well worth the wait.
some lymphomas are difficult to detect and sometimes it's missed or sometimes the diagnosis is misread. so this way you have a 2nd lab retest it to make sure so both places agree on the same thing.

where is your lymph node enlarged? how long have you had it and have you been having any symtoms?

total excision is the best route to go because with fine needle biopsies they can miss the cells.

it depends where your excision is going to be pain wise. mine was on the neck, so it hurt to turn my head certain positions and I happened to have a superb ENT who promised me he'd make the best inscison for me so it would heal where you can hardly notice it.

Good luck and I wish you the best results.

Linda

maecar · 09-20-2006, 01:39 PM

linda

I can't really feel "one" identifiable node. Just general swelling in the area of my jaw/ear. Since my ct scan ago I had an additional area swell above my clavicle. all on my left side.

My CT scan showed "multiple enlarged deep cervicle nodes" and "enlarged submental nodes"
my scan was head/neck with attention to cervical nodes. This would include the clavicle area nodes right?

is node enlargement in this area consistant with HD? I know that only a biopsy will tell... I just would like to know what my odds are.

my other symptoms are fever (for almost 7 weeks-- mostly 99.4-99.8, but around 103 for about 4 of those days), swollen nodes and some night sweats. 2-3 nights a week ranging in severity from damp hair to changing clothes and the worst only a couple times of changing bedclothes. Oh, and general fatigue and crappiness feeling.

I have lost a few lbs in past week-ish , but probably because of the stress.

What do you think? Am I on track in bracing for the worst case scenerio?