Liver biopsy questions

goops · 07-03-2008, 02:57 PM

I just had a CT and it showed some problems with the liver. Because of my "history" they have to suspect cancer. I am getting a liver biopsy a week from Monday. I am curious as to how many people here have had them - and how many of them came back negative for cancer?

chrisy · 07-03-2008, 03:46 PM

OK, I did not get the news I was hoping for with my liver biopsy.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING IN TERMS OF YOUR SITUATION!

It could be a cyst or something else totally benign - something that nobody would ever have even known about if they weren't being so assertive and thorough with your follow up.

Try not to freak out (I know that's easier said than done). They are being cautious because of your history and that's a good thing.

I thought about not posting because I didn't want to scare you...but you should know that it very likely will turn out to be nothing.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you...

Chris

goops · 07-03-2008, 05:05 PM

Thanks Chrisy - this will be my 3rd met scare - I just have to hope they are as wrong about this one as the first two, if my intuition is working - I believe they are wrong.

Yorkiegirl · 07-03-2008, 08:33 PM

Goops praying that all goes well with your biopsy and that it turns out negative.

goops · 07-03-2008, 09:36 PM

Thanks Yorkiegirl.

Chelee · 07-04-2008, 12:46 AM

Goops, I'm with Chrisy on this one...it really could be something totally benign. Since they look at our scans so hard many times they find these false positives. I am a stage IIIA with 5 positive nodes. One of my PET/CT's showed my hips light up. I was freaking out. (Especially since my hips were both killing me.) But thank goodness it was nothing.

So as hard as it is...try not to go to that dark place. I know every time I get a scare I try to make sure I don't borrow trouble. I've had several of them and its not fun as you already know. But try to stay busy and keep your mind on other things. Only think positive for now. (Easier said then done...I know!) They do have to look hard as you said due to your history...but that does not mean for sure its going to be bad news. Remember...one day at a time. Here's wishing you a very HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. You hang in there!

Chelee

goops · 07-04-2008, 08:46 AM

Thank you Chelee - I am hoping for the best. You have a great 4th too.

tricia keegan · 07-04-2008, 05:09 PM

Hi Goops,

I don't have personal experience of this but two of my bc friends had liver biopsys recently and both came out clear of cancer. I know having had bc we tend to think it has to be cancer but one of my friends was told many people have benign cysts on their liver which are never found. Our's only are because we have so many scans and follow up.
I'll be wishing and hoping thats the case for you and just want to wish you luck and good thoughts.

goops · 07-04-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

I don't have personal experience of this but two of my bc friends had liver biopsys recently and both came out clear of cancer. I know having had bc we tend to think it has to be cancer but one of my friends was told many people have benign cysts on their liver which are never found. Our's only are because we have so many scans and follow up.
I'll be wishing and hoping thats the case for you and just want to wish you luck and good thoughts. __________________

Thank you Tricia - it is good to know that they do come back benign - I had another cyst on my liver which showed up in my original CT, they later verified with a pet scan that it was not cancer. What is scary about this new one is it appeared since my Dec. CT and it is larger. If it is cancer it means Herceptin did not work for me (I am just 3 treatments from being done with Herceptin).

In December I had some swollen lymph nodes and "due to my history" they also thought they were cancer - hopefully this will also be a false alarm.

tricia keegan · 07-05-2008, 03:50 AM

I really hope thats the case Goops, sometimes we forget that a lot of the time it really can be something other than cancer. One of my friends I mentioned was convinced it was cancer as her stomach looked swollen too but thankfully after a very worrying few weeks we learned it was benign but large.
This lady was dx 22 years ago with twenty positive lymph nodes and although testing for her2 was not done then she did have a poor prognosis. Her story inspires me and gives me confidence especially to know she has never had a recurrance anywhere over those years.
It sounds like your Dr's are cautious and doing everything right for you by checking all this but it's unfortunate the stress this checking can bring us.
Please keep us posted and I'm praying for B9 and keeping everythign crossed for you!

Sherryg683 · 07-05-2008, 06:35 PM

When I was first diagnosed I had two small liver spots. They did not light up on the PET scan but my Oncologist said that we needed to watch them. 2-1/2 years later, they are still there but have been determined to be hymangiomas. I've had ultra sound done and many pet scans. I can understand your being concerned that they weren't there previuosly but I've had many things show up on scans that weren't there the next time. None have lit up the PET scan but have shown on the CT scans. I had something in my ovaries once , but it was gone the next scan. Try to remain calm , I know that's easier said than done..sherryg683

goops · 07-05-2008, 08:07 PM

Thank you Sherry, I am reminding myself that in the end - God's will, will be done.