Lung Cancer just been diagnosed without a biopsy

FormerMember over 3 years ago

2 replies
34 subscribers
973 views

Hello,

New to this community. My brother had a sore back for a few weeks which he put down to muscle strain. Then a week ago on Saturday, he collapsed and started losing sensation in his legs. He eventually got admitted to hospital and got diagnosed with lung cancer that has apparently already spread to his spine. A tumour is pressing on a nerve on his spinal column. He has had radiotherapy already but he has not yet (7 days post radiation) regained sensation in his legs.

We have yet to speak to his doctors direct but without a biopsy they are already saying that as he is paralysed just now he will not be fit for chemo. The case conference is tomorrow so we are hoping for more info from then.

So far he has had Radiotherapy, an MRI & a CT scan but no biopsy. Is this normal? I thought a biopsy would have been a priority?

Thanks

Jillybean74 over 3 years ago

Hi Colonel Mustard

So sorry to hear about your brother. It does seem very unusual to not have a biopsy. My husband has prostrate cancer which has spread to lots of places , including his spine so he also has chord compression (where it’s pressing on the nerves) and he has just started to lose the use of his legs.
In my experience, a biopsy has always been a standard test each time they’ve found a new tumour as they have always said that they need to check whether it’s the prostate cancer that’s spread or a different kind of cancer. Are you able to speak to anyone - does your brother have the details of the Macmillan nurse at his hospital- they are excellent at finding out what’s happening for you and explaining in lay mans terms why.
I hope you get some answers after the Drs meeting

Jillian

FormerMember over 3 years ago in reply to Jillybean74

Hello,

Thanks for your reply. Doctors met yesterday. We will get updated today. They’ve said they will be discussing a biopsy at the meeting as they are unsure if my brother will be fit for other treatment or not due to the paralysis.

More from this forum

Lung Cancer just been diagnosed without a biopsy