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Can A Biopsy Cause Cancer Cells To Spread?
Question: I would like to know why a lung biopsy does not spread lung cancer.
Brief Answer:
There is a theoretical risk only
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear.
I understand your concern.
So there is a theoretical risk of spreading the cancer along the biopsy needle track during the procedure but this risk is actually very small and because biopsies are immediately followed by start of the treatment, so there is actually no harm done.
Moreover the design of biopsy needle is such that, they cause chunk of the tissue to be captured in the needle without causing significant trauma and thus virtually no spread.
I have not come across any case of spread by biopsy in my experience.
Thanks and regards
There is a theoretical risk only
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear.
I understand your concern.
So there is a theoretical risk of spreading the cancer along the biopsy needle track during the procedure but this risk is actually very small and because biopsies are immediately followed by start of the treatment, so there is actually no harm done.
Moreover the design of biopsy needle is such that, they cause chunk of the tissue to be captured in the needle without causing significant trauma and thus virtually no spread.
I have not come across any case of spread by biopsy in my experience.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I have more questions. It took me a while to determine all I wanted to ask.
Questions
1. Below are excerpts from my CT and PET scans over the last two years. At first a nodule was being tracked which has shrunk and stabilized. Currently, there is a new growth, “Pleural based 9 mm nodule anterior medial lingual, previously measuring 7 mm and 6 mm respectively” now identified in the 11/14/2016 CT scan and in the 1/12/17 PET scan. It is stated that this nodule existed in the 7/6/2015 and the 3/1/2016 scans, but I seen no reference of it. I have excerpted all verbiage pertaining to growths.
Can you review all the scan excerpts, specifically the 7/6/2015 and 3/1/2016 scan excerpts, and tell me if there is reference a predecessor nodule that is now identified as 9mm in size?
2. The doctor showed me the 9 mm nodule which looks like a colon polyp on a stem with its length roughly twice its width.
a. Can it be removed endoscopicaly thru my nose?
b. What is the probability, 1-10, that it could be removed without spreading cancer?
I know that my father had two cancerous colon polyps on stems removed without spreading the cancer.
c. Is this polyp like growth on a stem common in lungs, 1-10?
d. What are the chances it is cancerous on a scale of 1 -10?
e. If this growth was removed with directed radiation, what are the chances on a scale of 1 -10 it would spread the cancer?
f. Does the directed radiation hit the tumor directly with no overlap to adjoining tissue?
g. While the tumor is being obliterated, does it remain contained in its membrane?
3. In the 1/12/2017, what does “background aortic activity 1.7” mean? Where is 1.7 on the evaluation scale?
4. Even if X ray guided, how likely, 1-10, would it be possible for a technician to biopsy a 9 mm nodule growing on a stem as opposed to a growing flat on the lung wall?
5. Will running stimulate blood flow to help resolve the nodule assuming it is not cancer?
6. My PET scan covered me head to thys. Would the scan identify any other cancers like prostate and skin cancer? Are there cancers it does not identify?
Scan Summary
11/13/2014 CT scan In the posterior aspect of the left lobe of the lung there is a focal area of mass like infiltration versus measuring 2.5 x 1.5 cm in size with some infiltrative change posterior to this.
More caudally is a second nodule measuring 1.3 x 1.7 cm in size adjacent to the pleura.
2/11/2015 PET scan The largest nodular component measures 1.7 cm compared to 2.5 cm previously. There is mild metabolic activity in the larger nodular density at 2.9 SUV.
There is a fluffy 5 mm nodule located in right upper lobe centrally demonstrating no metabolic activity.
Focal reticular nodular density is located in the left upper lobe anteriorly and negative for metabolic activity. Nodular component measures 3 mm. 7 mm calcified nodule is present in the right lung base.
7/6/2015 CT scan The left lower lobe reticular-nodular infiltrate shows subtle improvement with decreased size of the largest nodular component now measuring 8.7 mm compared to 16.9 mm previously.
4 mm nodule in the left upper lobe anteriorly is stable
3/1/2016 CT scan There has been considerable improvement in the left lower lobe process compared to the 2014 study. When compared to the more recent study of 7/6/2015, there has been no significant change in the cluster of partially calcified post inflammatory nodules in the lower left lobe, the largest measuring approximately 12 mm.
Small partially calcified nodules in the anterior left upper lobe and posterior left lung base are likewise unchanged
11/14/2016 CT scan Stable 8 mm calcified nodule posterior inferior right lower lobe with linear scar. Pleural based 9 mm nodule anterior medial lingual, previously measuring 7 mm and 6 mm respectively. Pleural based 9 mm noncalcified nodule anterior medial lingual demonstrating slow growth compared to 3/1/2016 and 7/6/2015.
1/12/2017 PET scan Stable size 9 mm pleural based lingual noncalcified nodule compared to 11/14/2016, with minimal associated hyperbolic activity measuring 2.3, background aortic activity 1.7.
Questions
1. Below are excerpts from my CT and PET scans over the last two years. At first a nodule was being tracked which has shrunk and stabilized. Currently, there is a new growth, “Pleural based 9 mm nodule anterior medial lingual, previously measuring 7 mm and 6 mm respectively” now identified in the 11/14/2016 CT scan and in the 1/12/17 PET scan. It is stated that this nodule existed in the 7/6/2015 and the 3/1/2016 scans, but I seen no reference of it. I have excerpted all verbiage pertaining to growths.
Can you review all the scan excerpts, specifically the 7/6/2015 and 3/1/2016 scan excerpts, and tell me if there is reference a predecessor nodule that is now identified as 9mm in size?
2. The doctor showed me the 9 mm nodule which looks like a colon polyp on a stem with its length roughly twice its width.
a. Can it be removed endoscopicaly thru my nose?
b. What is the probability, 1-10, that it could be removed without spreading cancer?
I know that my father had two cancerous colon polyps on stems removed without spreading the cancer.
c. Is this polyp like growth on a stem common in lungs, 1-10?
d. What are the chances it is cancerous on a scale of 1 -10?
e. If this growth was removed with directed radiation, what are the chances on a scale of 1 -10 it would spread the cancer?
f. Does the directed radiation hit the tumor directly with no overlap to adjoining tissue?
g. While the tumor is being obliterated, does it remain contained in its membrane?
3. In the 1/12/2017, what does “background aortic activity 1.7” mean? Where is 1.7 on the evaluation scale?
4. Even if X ray guided, how likely, 1-10, would it be possible for a technician to biopsy a 9 mm nodule growing on a stem as opposed to a growing flat on the lung wall?
5. Will running stimulate blood flow to help resolve the nodule assuming it is not cancer?
6. My PET scan covered me head to thys. Would the scan identify any other cancers like prostate and skin cancer? Are there cancers it does not identify?
Scan Summary
11/13/2014 CT scan In the posterior aspect of the left lobe of the lung there is a focal area of mass like infiltration versus measuring 2.5 x 1.5 cm in size with some infiltrative change posterior to this.
More caudally is a second nodule measuring 1.3 x 1.7 cm in size adjacent to the pleura.
2/11/2015 PET scan The largest nodular component measures 1.7 cm compared to 2.5 cm previously. There is mild metabolic activity in the larger nodular density at 2.9 SUV.
There is a fluffy 5 mm nodule located in right upper lobe centrally demonstrating no metabolic activity.
Focal reticular nodular density is located in the left upper lobe anteriorly and negative for metabolic activity. Nodular component measures 3 mm. 7 mm calcified nodule is present in the right lung base.
7/6/2015 CT scan The left lower lobe reticular-nodular infiltrate shows subtle improvement with decreased size of the largest nodular component now measuring 8.7 mm compared to 16.9 mm previously.
4 mm nodule in the left upper lobe anteriorly is stable
3/1/2016 CT scan There has been considerable improvement in the left lower lobe process compared to the 2014 study. When compared to the more recent study of 7/6/2015, there has been no significant change in the cluster of partially calcified post inflammatory nodules in the lower left lobe, the largest measuring approximately 12 mm.
Small partially calcified nodules in the anterior left upper lobe and posterior left lung base are likewise unchanged
11/14/2016 CT scan Stable 8 mm calcified nodule posterior inferior right lower lobe with linear scar. Pleural based 9 mm nodule anterior medial lingual, previously measuring 7 mm and 6 mm respectively. Pleural based 9 mm noncalcified nodule anterior medial lingual demonstrating slow growth compared to 3/1/2016 and 7/6/2015.
1/12/2017 PET scan Stable size 9 mm pleural based lingual noncalcified nodule compared to 11/14/2016, with minimal associated hyperbolic activity measuring 2.3, background aortic activity 1.7.
Brief Answer:
Hello. Please read the following
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Iam summarising the results
There is no mention of 9mm pleural nodule previously.
It cant be removed endoscopically.
Its an uncommon presentation of cancer, if it is at all, it needs yo be proved first by a biopsy.
If it is labelled as cancer after biopsy, then its already a stage 4 disease and already spread.
Radiation has no role in its treatment, if its a cancer.
In a petscan they measure activities of tumor by comparing it with activity of aortic blood. So they are referring metabolic activity of aortic blood as 1.7.
Yes, petscan can identify prostate as well as skin cancera.
In my opinion, you need to undergo a biopsy from the accessible lesion to prove cancer first, and then we can discuss treatment options.
Thanks and regards
Hello. Please read the following
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Iam summarising the results
There is no mention of 9mm pleural nodule previously.
It cant be removed endoscopically.
Its an uncommon presentation of cancer, if it is at all, it needs yo be proved first by a biopsy.
If it is labelled as cancer after biopsy, then its already a stage 4 disease and already spread.
Radiation has no role in its treatment, if its a cancer.
In a petscan they measure activities of tumor by comparing it with activity of aortic blood. So they are referring metabolic activity of aortic blood as 1.7.
Yes, petscan can identify prostate as well as skin cancera.
In my opinion, you need to undergo a biopsy from the accessible lesion to prove cancer first, and then we can discuss treatment options.
Thanks and regards
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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