Brother waiting for test results to see if he has mesothelioma. Been told it will take 10 - 14 days. Is this normal?

My brother is awaiting test results in the fluid that they drained during an appointment at hospital after ct and xray. The doctor said he's 90 % sure that is mesothelioma but are waiting on the results of the fluid drained off to see if has cancer cell. That was last Friday 13th. Now Wednesday 18th. I thought that they'd be rushed through and back by now but after chasing them up,  the nurse said they take 10 to 14 days to come back! Is this normal when awaiting for cancer diagnosis? I thought that they had to rush it though.  He and all the family are devastated and desperate for the results. Can anyone help and advise please? 

Parents
  • My husband was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in June last year - it took from April until the middle of June before the diagnosis was confirmed - he had a biopsy following a PET Scan & the results from the biopsy took 4 weeks as they had to be sent elsewhere for further testing.  I hope you get the results soon because the waiting is awful.  

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  • My husband was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in June last year - it took from April until the middle of June before the diagnosis was confirmed - he had a biopsy following a PET Scan & the results from the biopsy took 4 weeks as they had to be sent elsewhere for further testing.  I hope you get the results soon because the waiting is awful.  

Children
  • Thank you so much redone71 for you reply and information . Yes I am shocked to hear that it took so long for the diagnosis etc. Thats terrible! We're waiting first to see if the drained fluid contains cancer cells. Of so they say he'll go straight to oncology but if not he'll have a biopsy first. 

    Please may I ask what treatment they are giving your husband? My brother at the.moment has been scared by the thought of chemotherapy and said that he won't have it. I'm not sure at the moment if its possible to operate but I think it would be difficult to do?

    I also want to say that I hope that he is getting the treatment and that its helping him x

  • My husband was offered immunotherapy - unfortunately it didn’t work for him - he had 9 sessions & developed  severe colitis which hospitalised him & his   cancer grew so this was stopped.  He then had vhemo which caused severe kidney injury.  He is due a scan on 3 October & his oncologist has told him if the chemo hasn’t worked he can possibly join a clinical trial in Manchester.  I’m sorry I can’t give better news but I am sure there are people who the treatment is being more successful for.

  • Redone71. I'm so sorry that the treatment has not worked so far and caused further injury.  Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience so far. It must be so hard.  I wish you and you husband and family only the best. Kindest regards 

  • Thank you for your kind thoughts.  I hope things go well for your brother & the results turn out not to be Mesothelioma.  If you need any information or advice at all don’t hesitate to contact. All the best.

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    Hello again redone71. I hope things are going as well as they can at the moment?

    Unfortunately my brother has been diagnosed with mesothelioma.  Apparently early stages. Had a biopsy and the drain has finally come out after no more fluid for 7 drains. He has had an appointment with the oncologist but wanted to wait to decide on what treatment until after the drain was taken out. I know that he doesn't want to have any because of what he's heard about side effects or the treatment making it worse.  He won't talk to anyone that can give him information on what has or has not worked for them. He won't go to support groups 

    He's old school, old fashioned and is shy on talking to people. So I thought that I'd just come back on here,  to see if I can get as much information, evidence as possible, to try to help him decide. His next appointment with the oncologist to make a decision will be soon, hopefully next week sometime.

    Any thoughts will be gratefully received. 

    Sally

  • Hello again redone71. I hope things are going as well as they can at the moment?

    Unfortunately my brother has been diagnosed with mesothelioma.  Apparently early stages. Had a biopsy and the drain has finally come out after no more fluid for 7 drains. He has had an appointment with the oncologist but wanted to wait to decide on what treatment until after the drain was taken out. I know that he doesn't want to have any because of what he's heard about side effects or the treatment making it worse.  He won't talk to anyone that can give him information on what has or has not worked for them. He won't go to support groups 

    He's old school, old fashioned and is shy on talking to people. So I thought that I'd just come back on here,  to see if I can get as much information, evidence as possible, to try to help him decide. His next appointment with the oncologist to make a decision will be soon, hopefully next week sometime.

    Any thoughts will be gratefully received. 

    Sally

  • Hi Salsrobbo  - I’m sorry to hear your brother’s diagnosis.  Unfortunately we aren’t a great advert for treatment - my husband had no success with either immuno or chemotherapy but there were lots of people having treatment who it was working for.  He is just about to start on a First Phase Clinical Trial at our local cancer hospital so his care has been transferred there for the time being.  He is relatively well & they say strong enough for the trial. His cancer has grown but is still contained to one area - he does suffer with a lot of pain & has just had his pain medication changed again.  We are keeping our fingers crossed for some success with the trial.  

    I wish your brother well & hope he has some success if he decides to go down the treatment route.  Is there a Mesothelioma Nurse at the hospital you go to - they are really good to talk to & will be able to give you information about the treatments being offered.

    Wishing you & your family well.

  • Thank you so much for getting back to me. Your reply isn't showing at the moment on here but i did get your message in my email, but it wouldn't let me reply on there.

    Thank you again for your helpful advice. I will keep trying and talk to oncology again.

    I'm so so sorry to hear that the treatments haven't so far, helped your husband . I wish him all the best for the trials and that you are having support also.

    Kindest regards Sally 

  • Hello. I've tried to call the oncology nurses to have a private chat without my brother knowing but no one is around at the moment, being late on a Friday.  Was just advised to call 111 if we're worried about his mental health. I don't want him to know that we're privately reaching out. He's decided not to start any treatment yet to try and hopefully feel better after biopsy and drain removal, before he has to start and then start to feel ill again from the side effects that he will undoubtedly get . I've noticed that he's getting more and more down and depressed, short tempered and agrivated. He's never been like this. And I know that it's because he's never had cancer and the diagnosis of not curable before,  that of course he doesn't know how to deal with it. His wife is becoming more worried also about his mental health as he won't talk to the doctors about how it's affecting him mentally as its not his way.  Old fashioned man's man. Were getting worried about him thinking about suicide. He's not actually said anything but,  it is what he's not saying, that is so worrying. Also as he had such bad reactions from both the covid and flu vaccinations in the past,  he said he won't have anymore but im worried that he'll contract either or all of the viruses that are out there.
    Just don't know how to make him feel any better?