Just had an MRI and have been offered Biopsy and Surveillance or go straight in for Radiotherapy, just wondering what other people went for. I am minded to go for Radiotherapy.
I'm sorry to hear that you've recently been diagnosed with cancer and following an MRI you now find yourself faced with a decision about treatment options.
What type of cancer have you been diagnosed with Terry? If you can tell us a little more we can give you some information and try and connect you with other members of the forum who may have had similar decisions to make.
If you'd like to talk things through with one of our team of nurses you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. They will be happy to offer any advice, information and support they can.
Whatever decision you make Terry, I hope that things progress smoothly for you.
Hi - I have just joined the group, partly to be able get advice and information, but also to share my own experience, which may be relevant here. I was diagnosed with a large tumour on my kidney (as big as the kidney) 12 months ago. No symptoms, but found by accident. It has metastasized (spread to my lung) and the statistics seem to say 16% chance of getting past 5 years, so it didn't look good.
However, I had a biopsy and was about to begin immunotherapy when the consultant suggested we "pause" - I was coping surprisingly well with the emotional side of it and the effect of the treatment could be "brutal", so we agreed to have another scan and do "active surveillance". As a result I have now had scans every 3 months and there has been little or no change and I have been able to get on with my life (with a clearer focus). It takes some getting used to the idea that I have this and we aren't treating it directly, but the treatment itself is likely to make me ill, so I think it has been a good choice. I am fit and healthy and have lots of young grandchildren so I want to mainatin that as long as possible.
