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Waiting to have a biopsy

Canarymight
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I have had a speedy referral to a specialist consultant because of possible, if not probable cancer. The matter is urgent and three weeks ago an urgent referral was made for me to have a biopsy that would help settle the matter or whether I have cancer and I guess later, if I do, whether it has spread. I had an MRI scan within days of seeing the consultant. However there has now been a three-week silence around the urgent request for a biopsy. My understanding is that time is of the essence in a case such as mine.

Any idea how long is the norm for a biopsy to take place? Or what I can do if the doctors who referred me are unable to budge this hospital that seems to be unhurried by the words ‘urgent’ and ‘lesion’? 

Parents

  • Hello, and thanks for your post,

    Hopefully, when you see the Consultant this morning you will have more of an idea as to when your biopsy is likely to be. 

    I can't say how long it will take to get a biopsy done as this will depend on the hospital. I am sure that your consultant will want to get things moving as quickly as possible. 

    The consultant will hopefully be able to discuss the results of your MRI and may well be able to chase up when your biopsy is likely to happen. Do discuss this with them. 

    Pals (Patient advice and liaison service)is available in most hospitals and if you don't feel that things are moving quickly enough then you could always ask them to look into this for you. Have a look at what they do here

    I do hope that you know more soon.

    If you would like to ring and discuss this with one of the helpline nurses then you are welcome to give us a ring. We are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm and our helpline number is Freephone 0808 800 4040.

    All the best,

    Catherine

Reply

  • Hello, and thanks for your post,

    Hopefully, when you see the Consultant this morning you will have more of an idea as to when your biopsy is likely to be. 

    I can't say how long it will take to get a biopsy done as this will depend on the hospital. I am sure that your consultant will want to get things moving as quickly as possible. 

    The consultant will hopefully be able to discuss the results of your MRI and may well be able to chase up when your biopsy is likely to happen. Do discuss this with them. 

    Pals (Patient advice and liaison service)is available in most hospitals and if you don't feel that things are moving quickly enough then you could always ask them to look into this for you. Have a look at what they do here

    I do hope that you know more soon.

    If you would like to ring and discuss this with one of the helpline nurses then you are welcome to give us a ring. We are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm and our helpline number is Freephone 0808 800 4040.

    All the best,

    Catherine

Children
  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Catherine

    Thank you for your reply. It looks as if I am clear though will still have the biopsy. Mid-September so six weeks after referral is the best this over-large hospital trust can do at its flagship cancer centre hospital. I really appreciate your help in this though. I am about to leave the conversation, (though it would be startling if they now find cancer cells. I would be back!)

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