Had my biopsy..now waiting

[Joey8920]

Yesterday I finally had the biopsy I had been waiting for for months! I finally found an ENT who took me seriously enough and respected my request to get a biopsy on a lump under my jaw that's hard and doesn't move, but hasn't grown larger than 1cm in over a year. The process itself was annoying at the hospital. I had an IV in my arm almost the entire time because originally my ENT ordered a fine needle biopsy with CT scan guidance but last minute the doctor who was going to perform the biopsy decided to have an ultrasound guided fine needle biopsy instead. The process itself was between 5-10 minutes but the waiting was forever. I was there at 8:30 AM and the biopsy wasn't until 11. I wasn't allowed to be discharged until around 12:30PM. So in the end the IV was for nothing and putting it in and taking it out hurt more than the biopsy itself and it left me with a nice size black & blue. But I'm glad I got it done.

I say all of this to ask about false results such as false negatives or false positives. It hadn't even crossed my mind until I overheard someone talking about it in the hospital yesterday. How often does this occur? Should I be concerned that it may be a possibility. I was told to wait between 24-48 hrs to get the results. I graduate college tomorrow and I don't want bad news before I graduate. Any info on this would be helpful. Thanks.

[Mochadelicious]

Hey...that's great news.  I'm so glad you finally got the results you were hoping for.  Thank you for posting an update.

[Joey8920]

Hi..just a quick update..

Got my results back today and everything was fine! Thank God. The results were that it was a reactive lymph node, which my doctor said could explain the shrinking of the lymph node after the biopsy happened. I'm just glad everything is fine and I got the answers I was looking for.

At the same time I'm thinking back on my first ENT I went to, he had said he thought it was a bone!! And then when the report came back that said they were lymph nodes and that a biopsy was recommended, he told me not to worry about it and sent me on my way. Thankfully I found a good ENT who followed up the right way. And thank you for your concern and for the knowledge you have shared. I really appreciate it. :)

[Mochadelicious]

That's very odd that it shrunk after the biopsy.  No, it doesn't sound like Lymphoma at all.  Actually, 1 cm is about normal size for lymph nodes (if I recall correctly)...about the size of a pea.  I guess it's hard to say if the biopsy caused it to shrink or if it was just coincidence.

Try and have a relaxing weekend.  I'm sure your results will be good news.

[Joey8920]

Yes, when I called they said I could go in tomorrow (Friday), but that I would have to wait around because the doctor is so backed up or I could schedule an appointment, so it's next Tuesday at 10:45.

I,as well, would be surprised if it was anything else other than benign. But I don't want to get my hopes up quite yet, just in case. I wonder what it could be then if it shrunk just from a needle being poked at it. This doesn't sound like lymphoma to you right? From my understanding, a cancerous lymph node would continue to grow and neither stop nor shrink. So with mine not growing past 1cm in over a year, and shrinking after a biopsy, I'm hoping it's nothing serious. Next Tuesday I'll know for sure though...yikes.

[Mochadelicious]

Well I hope you get results soon.  Did they give you any kind of time frame?  I do think it is a good sign that your lump is shrinking.  Because of this, I would be shocked if it was anything other than benign.  Please keep us posted when you get your results.  

[Joey8920]

Hi thanks for getting back to me. Wow, that's a little unsettling information.

No, I haven't gotten my results back. I was getting alittle annoyed after it being over a week since the procedure so I called today and the receptionist said he hasn't gotten to review it yet, because he's been away. Perfect timing for me, but everyone needs a vacation I guess.

But I am on the confident side because ever since I had the biopsy the lump in question has shrunk almost to the point where I have trouble finding it sometimes. It is real flat right now which I hope is good. At first, being the hypochondriac I am, I was concerned the doctor didn't get the needle in the correct lump because he had trouble finding it and wouldn't let me use my finger and show him since the whole area had already been sterilized but afterwards I felt the lump and it was pretty painful so I'm guessing he got the correct spot, especially since it's shrunk.

[Mochadelicious]

Hi Joey,
Sorry to be just getting to your post.  I was wondering if you got your results yet on your biopsy?  I hope all came back with good news.

I couldn't tell you how often false negatives or positives happen, but I can tell you that in general, a needle biopsy is less accurate then an excisional biopsy, and therefor, more chance for error.  We use this analogy a lot on this forum, but if you think of your lymph node like a loaf of raisin bread (the raisins being cancer), a needle may or may not pick up the cancer cells if there are any.  However, accuracy is probably more improved with the guidance of the ultrasound.