Waiting for biopsy results time

So very brief backstory, I had a small lump just below my elbow on my forearm appear back in March. Had ultrasound in July. Referred 2WW to hospital and had an MRI then 4 days post MRI was called to say they wanted to do a biopsy the next morning.

We went from “it’s likely just a cyst” to biopsy really fast and I feel like I’ve barely blinked let alone understood everything I’ve been told.

I was told it was 10-14 days for results from the biopsy, today is day 9 post biopsy and it’s felt like the longest time.

I am now worrying 10-14 is working days and weekends/bank holidays don’t help. The hospital have been fantastic and assured me if it is a sarcoma they’ll start treatment right away but it’s the not knowing that’s making this so much more stressful.

Can anyone advise how long their results took? Or anything to help keep my mind off it because I’ve run out of ideas.

You would think with an 8 month old at home and two older ones who are fed up of the sight of each other there’d a lot less overthinking time!

  • Hello Aally94, 

    It must be a really stressful time for you and it's normal to be wondering if it's a bad sign when things are moving fast but it may just be that they are being very thorough in their investigations and the biopsy will help shed some light on what this lump is. Waiting for important biopsy results is something that many of our members have been through in the past and they know what an anxious time this is going to be for you. As you will see on this page on surgical biopsy for soft tissue sarcoma, you should normally expect to get biopsy results within 2 weeks so it shouldn't be long now and we are keeping everything tightly crossed for you. 

    There are helpful tips on this page to help you cope while waiting for news and one important tip that is given on this article is to stay well away from Google as it will only bring up the worst case (and least likely) scenario. You have the right instinct in trying to take your mind off this "waiting time anxiety". This may be through doing an activity you enjoy, going for a walk or keeping focused on other things around you and I would imagine your three little ones at home at the moment are doing their best to keep you super busy. Oh dear,  you mentioned your two older ones are fed up of the sight of each other - that's school holidays for you, school is starting soon though!

    I hope you are managing to find some time to yourself in the midst of all this to relax a little especially with all this waiting time stress. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that it all turns out to be nothing of concern. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator