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Can cancer spread from EUS-FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration)?
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Jan 7 11:53am | Replies (23)Comment receiving replies
The following link addresses the question about the remote possibility of seeding of cancer cells as a result of a biopsy. Some things to consider….the benefits outweigh the risks. If the neoplasm being biopsied is benign, there is no risk. If it is found to be malignant, then chemo will be required. And chemo is more effective and faster on treating small amounts of cells than when clustered as dense, solid tumors. So any “seeding” cells will be treated regardless. Not doing a biopsy results in the unknown status of the neoplasm.
Questions to consider are: do you want to undergo chemotherapy that can have side effects and adverse events when it is not necessary but is not known because a biopsy is not done? The other scenarios in not doing a biopsy is then taking a wait and see attitude. Most pancreatic cancers are aggressive and fast growing. Treatment is more effective when the malignancy is addressed earlier than later.
https://www.cancer.net/blog/2021-03/can-biopsy-make-my-cancer-spread
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StageIV survivor,
Thank u for your most informative response. After 4.5 of completing my chemo treatment I received a recurrence i my liver. The recurrence started early November (from 6 to a 23 for my CA19-9)) and as of this week my CA19-9 is 3,840. I had a very difficult time to get any treatment or 2nd opinions outside of my HMO network and had to wait until January 1 of this year. My first 2nd opinion was with Cedars Sinai - "Center of Excellence". I found the oncologist to be extremely jaded. He knew my oncologist from Hoag. When I told him how many 5FU treatments you had and you were a survivor he almost literally called me a liar and said no dr. would ever approve that many treatments. He discouraged me from going to Mayo Clinic saying he wouldn't and from going to HD Anderson even though they specialize in doing surgeries for cancer around the hepatic artery. He told me my dr at Hoag was on the right course. My last endoscopy (about 2-3 weeks ago) showed lesions under 1 cm on my liver. With my CA19-9 being at over 3800, I'm thinking this beast as spread beyond my liver. Long background before my question: Have you read that "chemo is more effective and faster on treating small amounts of cells then a clustered tumor"? Is this something your dr. told you? I started the gemabraxinecine chemo this week to be followed by viewtherapy radiation. I do have another 2nd opinion from UCLA this Monday, but I decided to start the chemo with my current oncologist at Hoag in the meantime in order to avoid further spread (if possible).
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Thank you for this. I’ve also read size does not necessarily mean anything, very concerning. I’ll speak with my doctors on this and ask why no biopsy on the 1.2cm cyst. Ty.