Hi @maryluise2 -- I had a lung biopsy to diagnose my rare neuroendocrine lung cancer. They were in there for about 45 minutes and took 8 different needle samples to be sure they hit the mark and got different parts of the 2.5 cm tumor. They used a CT scan during the procedure. They hit the mark. It was cancer. The question with a benign tissue sample biopsy (vs. biopsying the removed tumor) is always wondering if they hit the mark or missed the cancerous tissue. So hard to know. Your father-in-law's PET results certainly make you wonder. Did their theory on why a benign tumor would cause light and inflammation on the PET scan sound credible? For myself, I'd probably want a another biopsy and a second opinion both at a facility like Mayo, teaching hospital like UCLA, cancer center, etc. especially since the doctors are not in agreement. I certainly wouldn't let the same doctor do the second biopsy.

I remember when I had a biopsy 10 years ago to diagnose my breast cancer. The tumor was small and deep so challenging. The radiologist that did the ultrasound was going on a long vacation and told me I could schedule with another radiologist if I didn't want to wait for the needle biopsy. I didn't really want to wait, but the nurse pulled me aside and said, "The tumor is small. It's going to be hard to get to. This doctor doesn't miss. You want to wait for HER!" So I did and she hit the mark. Some doctors are better than others, maybe more meticulous, maybe more experienced, maybe just most skilled. I hope this helps. Best of luck to your family with your decision and procedures. Please keep us posted.

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