HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Need information about a surgical lung biopsy

Joan M · 07-30-2008, 07:01 PM

Hi Barbara, Sorry to hear that you need to have a biospy to figure out what's happening with your lung. I had a needle biospy and then video-assisted thoracic surgery to remove my nodule but there was not doubt after that biopsy that the nodule was malignant. Will you be having a VATS procedure for the biopsy? I understand the reasoning for the surgery as opposed to the biopsy. It's very hard to get a biopy with a definitive diagnosis from a small lesion. I went through all that. So I guess they want to get enough tissue to make a definitive diagnosis. I think it's really wonderful that that you are doing well on the trial. You are in my prayers. Joan

07-30-2008, 07:01 PM	#5
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Hi Barbara, Sorry to hear that you need to have a biospy to figure out what's happening with your lung. I had a needle biospy and then video-assisted thoracic surgery to remove my nodule but there was not doubt after that biopsy that the nodule was malignant. Will you be having a VATS procedure for the biopsy? I understand the reasoning for the surgery as opposed to the biopsy. It's very hard to get a biopy with a definitive diagnosis from a small lesion. I went through all that. So I guess they want to get enough tissue to make a definitive diagnosis. I think it's really wonderful that that you are doing well on the trial. You are in my prayers. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!