Thank you for replying so quickly. I do have an update and it is not good news. My step-father's physician noticed something supicious inside his neck while checking his carotids. He was sent to the ENT and the doctor did a thorough examination and found a walnut sized lump (I'm not positive but I think my step-father said on his vocal cords), took a biopsy and told my step-father that he was almost sure that it not benign. They discussed the options; surgery, chemo and radiation. We are waiting for those results now. Again, my step-father reminded him of the heart disease problems. My question is: Why would they suggest surgery if it is malignant? Unfortunately my step-father will not even discuss chemo due to losing a sister-in-law with breast cancer due to an over dose of chemo.
Thank you again for your reply,
Praying for my pop-pop.
Your concerns are valid, if there is a plan of treatment such as chemotherapy (since surgery is not possible due to heart disease) that may be a good reason to do a biopsy in order to see if cancer cells are present.
You should ask your step-father's doctor what is the purpose of the biopsy, is additional treatment planned, and what are the possible complications of the needle biopsy?
D