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My mother is 82 and has ct scans and pet scans and has a small tumor in her right upper lung. The Pet scan shows the cancer has not spread but they want to do a biopsy before they do RadioFreguencyAblation (RFA). Her lungs are to bad to do surgery. Does anyone know about RFA and what does a lung biopsy consist of. Is it dangerous and painful. Thanks this is all new to us.
Hi, I do not know about RFA, unless they mean radiation? I do know that my husband had a CT scan needle biopsy, which was an out-patient procedure, they really dopped him up, but did not put him under. He had no pain whatsoever from the procedure. Hope this helps. Good luck, I know you must be scared, try and stay positive for her. Take care, Karen
There are different methods of procuring a biopsy. The most common for area you describe is what is called Fine NeedleAspiration (FNA). In this technique needles are guided into the chest with the aid of flourescopes or CT scanning equipment into the tumor to such out a sample of the tissue of the tumor for pathological study to determine if the tumor is malignant (cancer) or benign
(non-cancer).
The RFA is a similar technique f
or destroying the tumor, used largely on elderly people. A needle is again guided into the tumore with the tip heated to as I recall 140 degrees to literally burn out the cancer.
I had the FNA performed on three occasions. It isn't really pleasant, because you have to be awake (to hold your breath) for the needle to be inserted into the tumor. It is painful, but not intalerable at all. The risk of mortality is less than 1% as I recall, but there is a thirty percent chance of collapsing the lung. Collapse of the lung (Pneumothorax), I found was not a major problem (in extreme cases, like mine it was corrected by sucking air out of the lung cavity with suction equipment, a time consuming, but painless procedure once the suction tube (needle) wwas inserted.
I have not experience RFA, but it is considered to be about the least invasive treatment for eliminating tumors. I believe the main pain would be in inserting the needles into the tumor, since there is no pain sensation in our lungs.
If your mother is frail it should be a very appropriate treatment if the tumor is malignantt.
HighlandGuy
Hi,
I just wanted to give you a little hug with some emotional support for your mom, I know it is not easy this uncertainty, and also not so easy to talk to people about our feelings, so here I am, if you need me just write. God bless you and your mom.
Sandy
Thank you so much for the info it really helped us to understand the procedures. My mother is a tough cookie but she is somewhat scared of the unknown. Thanks again we go for the biopsy this Friday. Nancy
Thanks for the hug....we go this Friday to University of Michigan for the biopsy. Thanks again for your kind words and thoughts. Nancy
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