Biopsy for a Lung Nodule

Hello Laura2904,
I’ve had three lung biopsies in the last three years. I have nsc lung cancer stage 4. It’s not a bad procedure. It helps your doctors decide what treatment will work for you. I am a Mayo Rochester patient.
Of course no procedures are fun but the technicians, nurses and doctors were so kind. It makes it all less frightening.
I wish you healing and good health. Best regards, Diane

I've had three fine needle biopsies. I've never had any problems during or after.

@laura2904, I would definitely have the biopsy. A lung biopsy removes a small amount of tissue that can be used to not only tell whether you have lung cancer or not, but can also identify what type of cancer. Some types of lung cancer are best treated with neoadjuvant therapy which is a medical term meaning you'll start taking a medication before surgery. The neoadjuvant therapy may reduce the size of the tumor prior to surgery and may help ensure that other cancer cells that may be in your body don't grow large enough to be detected. All good stuff.

Weigh all that potential benefit against the potential downside of having an invasive procedure that might be unnecessary along with its expense. Thoracic oncologists are good about not recommending a biopsy unless they suspect that the tumor is cancerous. "diagnosis of exclusion" means they believe they have eliminated all other possibilities. I believe the benefit vastly outweighs the risk.

I totally understand your concern. When my doctors first proposed a biopsy, I said, "Whoa. Wait a minute. I want a second opinion from my pulmonologist." 2 days after I saw him, he called at 7 p.m. and told me to "get the biopsy." I did. It was cancer. 7 years later I'm not only still here, I'm working full-time. The long-term prognosis is much better when caught early.

Let us know what you decide and know that we're here for you no matter which path you choose. All the best and long life!

Hi @laura2904
I also had a needle image guided lung biopsy 5 years ago on my largest tumor (have over 50). It wasn’t fun but not painful. More about pressure and discomfort lying face down on a CT scan table for 45 minutes. Turned out I have a rare slow growing neuroendocrine lung cancer and even rarer DIPNECH so even if it’s malignant they need to know which type to treat you. The sooner the better for best outcome. My nodules were first discovered in 2008 but based on symptoms I’ve had this much longer than that. In my case, I’m still on meds to slow growth and manage respiratory symptoms. They destroyed the largest tumor with ablation 4 years ago. I have periodic CT scans to monitor. I’m doing well and enjoying life. Best to go with their suggestion.

My cousin had a single lung tumor discovered incidentally and a biopsy let him know it was benign and he could stop worrying.

No fun worrying about possible cancer. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted. Praying for a good outcome.

Hi Laura, I'm sorry you find yourself in a situation where all of the options are not great. If it was me, I would get the biopsy. A nodule increasing in size and spiculated are concerning signs for cancer. The sooner you find it, the more/better treatment options you have. And if the nodule is benign, you will have peace of mind. Best of luck to you.

Hi Laura I just had a biopsy Monday! It was a good experience. Staff, Doctors were great I was fully under so woke up back on stretcher nice and comfy. I have major back trouble they went out of their way to make sure they propped up my legs and put a hard pad under my lumbar area this was on the operating table. Bad news is as I suspected it is cancer just starting my journey so don't know much yet. See Oncology on the 15th of this month and a surgeon on the 29th. Wishing you all the luck and yours is benign. Mine is Malignant!

Please let us know what you learn. Sorry you have to deal with this but grateful to know surgery is an option.

It's tough to hear, even when you expect it. Let us know how things go on the 15th @reader0108598 🫂

Hi @laura2904 , Have you made a decision on the biopsy? Just wondering how you are doing.

Wrote in over the past 3 1/2 years with my hubby's double lung cancer with a different cancer in each lung. Will not go into the full info as I'm sure it still exists on this site. Last May 2024 following an enhanced CT scan, a right lower posterior nodule appeared. With scans every 3-4 months it has grown very slowly and wonder why they do not do a fine needle biopsy at this point and do ablation to get rid of it, rather than feeling it can grow larger before they feel there is concern, I guess to move forward to treat?? I guess if it is larger then they get a better reading with the PET scan results??