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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
If lung spot is cancer, might biopsy make it more aggressive?
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
If lung spot is cancer, might biopsy make it more aggressive?
by bookperson, Nov 11, 2004 12:00AM
My dad, 84, has prostate cancer which has spread to his bones (psa still down after surgical castration 1 yr ago). He, a nonsmoker, also has COPD. When hospitalized for shortness of breath 6 wks ago, xray showed one lung flat on one side & a spot on lung. CAT scan diagnosis was pneunomia; successfully treated. Now bronchioscopy (sp??) scheduled to assess flat area, possibly "clean out" lung & biopsy spot. If he has lung cancer, he wants no aggressive treatment. He is breathing well now, with little coughing & pulmonary tests showed 70% function (had been 40% a few months ago). Our question is: If there is cancer, could a biopsy "stir up" the cancer & make it more aggressive? I can't find the probability of that as I search the internet. Thanks so much for this service.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Nov 17, 2004 12:00AM
, Nov 17, 2004 12:00AM
If there is cancer, a small biopsy will not "stir-up" the cancer or make it more aggressive. The spot on his chest x-ray may prove to be a treatable problem rather than lung cancer.
