Hello Gill,

Thanks for posting a question. I am one of the nurses and our moderator wondered if we could help with your concerns about the biopsy. I am sorry to learn that you are waiting for the results of the biopsy, this must be a difficult time for you.

It is not completely clear from your post which part of your body has been biopsied, but I will make a guess that it is the lung.  But even if it isn’t this part of the body, much of this may still apply.

Needle track seeding is very rare. While it is fair to say that taking a biopsy could potentially release cancer cells into the surrounding tissues or circulation, they are usually destroyed by the  immune system or die off due to  'natural' causes.

 Some cancers are thought to be more risky than others to biopsy. For example suspected ovarian cancers are rarely biopsied as it could cause spread. So  your doctor would not have done a biopsy if they thought that there was a risk to your health.

Also with most cancers doctors take additional precautions to reduce the risk of biopsy seeding. For example, if they are removing a breast lump they will also try to remove the area where the biopsy needle went. 

Without knowing your exact circumstances I am not sure that there is much more that I can say about this. Although it is easier said than done try not to worry too much about cancer being spread in this way.   Also from the information you have provided it does not seem certain that you have cancer anyway. So hopefully nothing serious is wrong.

If it is cancer, in terms of your treatment, I think that you have had some good advice from Kim. They suggested that you wait and see what is what before you make up your mind about whether to have conventional treatment or not. Cancer treatments do have side effects and when you read about them they can sound alarming. But natural therapies are also not always side effect free.  At the end of the day the decision is yours and what every way you go  I hope things go well.

Do get back to us if you have any other questions. If you  would like to telephone our Freephone number is 0808 800 4040. We are here  from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am to 5pm.

All the best,

Jean

Hi Kim,

Thanks for your reply :) I agree; It's not a forgone conclusion-should I have cancer-that I wont have any treatment. But my initial thinking is, if it is a small, slow growing early cancer, then I have time to try for a natural cure.  For instance, I can ask my team to hold of surgery (that has already been mentioned, but obviously not planned) for 8-12 weeks to see if I can stop my cancer growth; then take it from there..of course if I have the more quick growing cancer then I will have surgery straight away! (I still don't think I would have chemo though, maybe targeted radiotherapy, but that's one for later, if neccasery:phew)  

Kim, I am really pleased that your choice of conventional treatment has seen you through 2 years and 1 month!! :) I hope of course it sees you through much longer!

Can I ask you what things you thought about trying? And what made you finally decide to go conventional? Did you do any diet changes or anything alonside your treatments?

I don't think I am (too) gullible :grin: "turmeric to canabis oil"  Yes I read about the oil; I hope it did really work for the people who took it, I don't see why anyone would lie about a personal cure they sought for themselves. But  I can see people making up some oil that's inferior to sell to (desperate) cancer victims.  I have started carrot juicing and am considering changing my normal vegan diet to a high raw vegan diet and cutting out ALL sugars-yep, except the natural ones carrotts are full of-I know!! haha ;)

Thanks again for your thoughts

have a nice evening

Gill :)

Hi Jean,

Thank you for your reply; yes, it's lung cancer. (and emphysema)

needle track seeding - cancer cells

"They are usually destroyed by the immune system or die off due to natural causes" 

I don't understand this, what is the difference in these cancer cells and other cancer cells, that these ones die?? 

Regards treatment, please read reply I sent Kim.

Thank you for your help, it was nice to hear it is a rare thing.

Have a good evening

Gill :)

Just quickly..got my results..yes, cancer. They said I am a very good candidate for  surgery, and are asking the heart and lung hosp  if I can have my heart surgery at the same time -(need an umbrella put in-ASD) to save 2 surgeries and 2 scars. Confused now, my cardiologist originally said they would go in through the groin and up. Anyway, as the oncologist had given me "quick results" over the phone, I didn't go into it all - nsclc or small cell, etc. I will now have an app with surgeons from there.

OTHER NEWS - I got tickets to go to a seminar next Thursday, one of the ppl talking is Chris, from chrisbeatcancer.com. one of the web sites i read.

It was a sign..I had started to doubt myself; so many ppl were negative about what I want/ed to try; 

I asked The Man Upstairs "What should I do?"

Then later on that night I thought I would have a quick check of my email before bed and..there it was!! 

So I've still not made my mind up about surgery, as I don't know what caner ive got, but my spirit is back 10 FOLD! and I'm a happy bunny once again!!! :D

Hi again I'm sad to hear your results have diagnosed cancer. In your search for a miracle cure don't discount some peoples realism as negativity. You must take your own path, I know, but think on cancer like this: A fire has started in the corner of your living room, you need to put it out as soon as possible before it spreads to burn your house down. You know a bucket of water will give you a fair chance to put it out, but you dont want to spoil the new carpet. So you spend valuable time looking round the house for something else to do the job that won't damage the carpet, you try a few things but they dont work, by this time the fire has gotten out of control and the house is burning down. You think back and wish you'd chucked that bucket of water on the fire there and then. By the way, Chris Warks solid tumour bowel cancer was cured with the skill of the surgeon, rather than his new diet / lifestyle. Don't let him persuade you to reduce your chance of survival by refusing treatment.

Also they do some of the best vegetarian Indian food in London in the restaurant of the YMCA venue you are going to for the seminar. :) Kim

thanks Kim, I am asking for a copy of my pathology report today - if that is the right word - Stage, type etc. Maybe I can decide more before I see surgeons. (yes I know Chris had surgery) I will ask them also if they can do it by VATS or even uniportal subxiphoid lobectomy..but I don't know if that is main stream yet!! But it sounds amazing, and I watched the surgery and it just looked soo easy, of course I may not be a candidate for either.

I love your analogy! :)

Have a lovely day !

Hi Natural  Nuture

One of the moderators asked me to have a look at your discussion.  I just wanted to support what kimchoson has been saying.  There is no evidence that using changes in diet, any other alternative therapy or lifestyle change will treat cancer effectively.  So it is dangerous to refuse conventional treatment based on using these approaches instead.  However, following a healthy diet is always a good thing and will put you in a better position to recover from any treatment you need.  Decisions about treatment are difficult, but your medical team will be honest with you about what they expect they can realistically achive with them.  This is the information to use to make your decision about whether to have conventional treatment or not.

I hope that is helpful, you must be going through such a difficult time. 

Martin

Hi Gill

Kim and the nurses have given really great advice.  I will tell you a real story now and then leave you to decide what is best for you, as only you can make your choice.  Whilst I was going through diagnosis, sugrery and then treatment last year a colleague of mine who had been in remission for testicular cancer for 10yrs (after planned surgery and treatment by his MD team) unfortunately had a reoccurance/secondary cancer diagnosed.  This time he decided to do canabis oil, bought apparently from a reputable company etc.... he did this "miracle" cure for nearly as long as my year was up (surgery recovery and chemo) and against the advice of his oncologist - only to have a CT scan which unfortunately showed him a mass growth whereby the canabis oil had absolutely NO affect.  He then decided to go back to traditional treatment realising that natural didn't work for him and the realisation that he would rather have if possible another 10 years cancer free like the first time.  This is a true story and happy to see the tumour/mass has shrunk considerably and he is doing well on the chemo (as best one can as per usual side effects)

Keep all your options open and listen to the advice of the experts, as everyonse has mentioned healthy living/diet etc helps but is not a cure.

Love to hear how you get on whatever decision you make and wish the the best of long lasting health and happiness

JB