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Oesophageal cancer tests timeline

GranJan
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Odd question this!! I have a friend who has recently lost her partner to a brain tumour. At his funeral she told me that she has had tests for oesophageal cancer and the results will take 6 weeks.

My daughter works at a hospital in London and as said that results would not take that long as there is a cancer pathway that is 2 weeks from referral. I need to know if it is possible for test results to take 6 weeks As I need to know how best to heal my friend…. either she is facing a cancer scare or she has a mental health problem, both of which are serious but the necessary support would be quite different. Thank you, in anticipation, for your help.

  • Hello and thanks for posting,

    You asked about a 6 week wait for oesophageal test results. This is possible, and maybe requiring more than one consultant pathologist to review any samples. Sometimes repeat testing or review takes place, alongside other tests that may have been carried out. The 2 week process refers to the beginning of a cancer referral, it does not refer to when someone's results are available, and a treatment plan is decided.

    I don't think it is appropriate for someone outside of their situation to comment in depth, as they are not directly involved, or may not be aware of the actual process that might be going on.

    I hope this reply helps,

    Best wishes,

    Vanda

  • Hi GranJan

    Sometimes biopsy / histology results can take that long, even for suspected cancer.

    I had a tumour removed from my liver at the beginning of August and did not get my results for nearly 9 weeks!  I believe that some labs have big backlogs.

    All you can do is be there for your friend, the truth will become apparent eventually.

    Regards

    Annie

  • Offline in reply to annie123

    Thank you very much for your reply, I think I know what I have to do now.

    Jan x

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Vanda

    Thank you for your reply, these have both greatly helped me.

    Jan x

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