6 months from biopsy to bad results

On the 27th Jan I had a biopsy from my oesophagus, after being diagnosed with lots of other things I never got the result of this but had other results, I assumed all was OK, I've now had a letter saying I will have a phone appointment mid July to discuss this result, the worrying part is the letter states I should have support with me. 

It seems odd that if it's not bad why do I need the support, if it is bad that means I have waited all this time and am waiting and worrying for the next two months, it will be nearly 6 months with no treatment for osophageal cancer, this cancer I should add is a possibility due to previous treatments I am at higher risk for.

  • I'd say the duration that has passed, and the appointment of mid July is a tad farcical, but that would be an understatement if it is indeed bad news.

    Call them up and ask for a sooner appointment. I find it hard to believe they don't have all the results at hand. I get the NHS are busy, but even by recent standards that is poor. Yeah, call them and explain to them, that due to the wording, you deserve a sooner appointment.

    All that aside, and something stated a lot on here, some of these letters are worded very poorly, with little or no concern for those receiving them, and they turn out to be nothing, but poorly worded correspondence. So don't go having yourself dead and buried before you have the facts. If it does turn out to be nothing major, I would highlight their choice of words. Might seem irrelevant to those typing or dictating these letters, but their misplaced words can have a huge impact on folks health.

    I once received a letter after having heart scans, ecg and chest scans that stated no evidence of heart defect, evidence of emphysema, and no other concerns noted. Now, re read the sentence i just typed. The part that stands out is "evidence of emphysema". No "no" attached to it. I took that as I had irreversible lung damage. Turns out it was an unfortunate placement of a comma. Just a simple thing as one comma can change your perception. They apologised for that. I worried for weeks about that until my gp pointed out the error.

    One last thing, your gp will know if it's bad news. Get an appointment with your gp. Imo, don't sit and sweat until mid July over something that is probably nothing.

  • They are highly unlikely to give news like this over the phone and that far in the future. I was awaiting the results of a biopsy and they called me in the morning and I had the apt that day. I begged them to tell me over the phone and they said they couldn't. Mine was cancer. They said they don't give news like that over the phone. So while I am not aware of your situation I don't think they would give news like that over the phone 

  • Hi Wmarti and thanks for posting.

    It sounds like you are having a worrying time at the moment.  

    It does seem a long time to wait for a biopsy result and an appointment.  As ProfBaw says you could phone and ask for an appointment sooner, as you have been waiting for the result since January.

    I hope you know more soon.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Rachel