Waiting for Biopsy results

[Anonymous]

I am wondering how many of you have had to wait for biopsy results, and how nuts you went while waiting.

I recently had a biopsy done of my stomach lining, and have to wait about ten more days to find out what the results are, and it is driving me crazy. I have read up on stomach cancer, and am pretty sure that I really don't want it, since it is one of the most deadly. If caught in just stage 0 and stage 1, there is only about a 50% survival rate, and stage two only boasts a 20% survival rate. The worst part, is that only 10% of cases are caught early enough to fit into the first stages, and most people are dead with in 36 months.

I have read up on everything, know the courses of treatment that work best and have the highest success rates. I have also decided that should I have it, I will be one of the rare survivors, since there is no way I can die and leave my husband to parent my children alone. He just doesn't have enough patients and empathy.

I have prepared myself for every possible outcome of this biopsy. I have already changed my diet prior to getting sick, because I needed to be healthier. I am going to keep that up, along with my ten mile walk/runs.

I just feel like now that I am totally prepared for what ever the results are, I just want them already. I need to know if I need to arrange childcare, and if I should be asking my newly retired dad to come and help out. While I am not a planner, I just have this overwhelming need to get all my ducks in a row, should I have cancer. It's the not knowing that I think will send me to my grave at the ripe old age of 32.

[Anonymous]

Where did you have the biopsy done? I had to wait for biopsy results and it is aweful....just plain aweful. When I was about to bust, I phoned the Dr. who did it and was very clear that I wanted to speak to HIM. He called me back and I expressed my extreme anxiety. I also asked if I could be in contact w/ the Pathology folks at the hospital. I did find out sooner than they had originally said.....and it was before a weekend. That was big. Try to stay busy. Try to be around people. I know it is hard. Everything turned out okay for me and I hope it does for you too. Modern medicine is wonderful, but the downside is trying times like this. Serenity now!!

[Anonymous]

OP: Ten days sound like a very long time to me. Did your doc think it was stomach cancer? You're only 32, and from what I understand, most people are over 60 at diagnosis. I know it's hard not to imagine the worst case scenario (because I do the SAME thing), but really, I would think that stomach cancer at 32 is exceedingly rare...

Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

I had to wait for biopsy results, though "only" for skin cancer. Because I had been through it before and the biopsies always came back negative (therefore making me just assume my doctor liked to play it really, really safe), I totally assumed they (two at one time) would come back negative. On the upside, that meant I wasn't all that stressed out during the waiting period (about a week, I think). On the downside, I was WRONG...both were positive. It's always much better to be prepared for the worst, IMO. I was completely shocked when I got the results, and then had to scramble around doing the research when I was already upset. I too am only 32, and if one more person in the office said to me "you're too young to be here", I thought I would take a swing at them. But I could see their point...I was the only person who appeared to be under 60 when I went to get them removed.

It's good that you have all the research done and all of that. Waiting definitely stinks. BUT, I would be willing to bet that BECAUSE you are so young, even if it turns out to be cancer, you probably have a much better chance of survival than the bare statistics show. Good luck; you prepare for the worst, and I'll hope for the best for you!

[Anonymous]

I just got biopsy results today after waiting a week -- it was agonizing. I had a bad mole that got super big and dark during my pregnancy. I didn't think much of it, but knew it should be looked at. The doc got real serious real fast when he saw it. He cut it off and discussed the possibility of it being pre-cancerous or melanoma. I was completely freaked out when I left the office. All week I had bad thoughts about what would happen to my family if I died (my children are still babies). Fortunately, the results were fine. Nonetheless, this was my wake-up call in terms of being proactive and seeking medical help at the onset of symptoms. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

OP, I just had four sites in my esophogus, stomach and upper intestines biopsied. When I woke up and the doctor told me they had to do biopsies, I panicked. I was convinced I was going to die. I had to wait 14 days, but the news was okay. I had suspicious bacteria and had to take antibiotics for a while. But, I'm totally convinced it's going to get me. Did the dr give you pictures of the areas he/she biopsied (btw, I'm 37).

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Yes, I did get pictures of the area they biopsied. The was some fairly sever gastritis (especially after being on aciphex for several weeks), it was red and lumpy, and fairly gross looking. Especially when taking into consideration that there were other pictures showing nice pink smooth shiny surfaces.

To the poster who said that I was too young for stomach cancer, while I am young, and female, it isn't unheard of. I have several of the risk factors. I eat a lot of Korean foods, which are pickled, salted, I also have always eating lots of hot dogs and deli meats (Nitrates and nitrites will cause cancer), I have some food allergies to fruits, and therefore wasn't getting enough in my diet. I also have an autoimmune deficiency in my stomach lining that inhibits the absorption of vitamin b-12, I was a smoker, my mother has polyposis, and my blood type is A, and I have sever gastritis. The only risk factors I am missing are that I am not a man living in Japan or Korea, over the age of 50.

To the poster who asked where I had this done, it was done in an Endoscopy center by my G.I.

I have spoken to other people who have been biopsied, including my mother (who has lots of them since she has so many polyps everywhere), and the time frame isn't unheard of. It is just the worst thing having to wait. I have come to terms with all possible outcomes, I just want to know what course of action we need to take. I have been in some fairly debilitating pain since the second week of September. I have had so many tests preformed, doctors visits, and ER visits that it was ridiculous. My doctor had even thought at one point it may be in my head, or a side effect to my antidepressant. It wasn't until I went in with sharpie marking where and what type of pains I was having, that he had me see the GI. Not only did he give me a referral, he called the office and got me the quickest appointment possible.

I just don't like the unknown. I would like to know exactly what I am dealing with, and what the courses of treatments are.

[Anonymous]

I'll share two stories that will hopefully give you some hope. I went to the ER with severe stomach pains and bloody diarrhea. After some bloodwork and CT scans, the stupid ER doc told me that I had cancer (apparently the CT scans of my colon looked really bad and cancer-like). BTW, I was 31 at the time with an infant at home. My husband nearly passed out when the doc told us it was cancer. I told my husband -- right in front of the ER doc -- that he was wrong and that I would be fine. I immediately sent my husband out of the room to call and check on the baby so that he wouldn't end up having a panic attack. Long story short, I was fine. It was a very serious and nasty illness -- they never could determine if it was viral or bacterial, but two courses of antibiotics seemed to do the trick. Next story involves my DH. He's had three years of bizarre and painful stomach problems that no doctor has been able to accurately diagnose. He's been in and out of the finest ERs and hospitals in our area (including the stellar GI team at G'town). He's had each and every GI test and biopsy done twice (once at Suburban with a lousy GI doc, and again at G'town with top-notch docs). To be clear: they were looking for cancer and prepared us for the worst. They never found anything conclusive other than random inflammation and what could appear to have been infections. Bottom line: none of the biopsies came back bad. I know that waiting for results is agonozing. Have you tried calling to check on the results? I know most doc offices give you a time frame, but you never know. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

I also had to wait for breast biopsy results although thankfulky I only waited 3 days. Those 3 days plus the week I had to wait before the biopsy were agony. The internet is really a two edged sword. It is great that we have all this info at our finger tips but it can be very overwhelming and sometimes contradictory. When I looked up the risk rating the radiologist had given me different sites gave very different statistics wrt the chances of the findings being cancer. They ranged from 25%-94%. I was completely convinced I had breast cancer.
Like one of the PPs I was so worried about by DC and that DH is not always on the ball and quite impatient. To give two examples: Once when I was in hospital for 4 days I came home to find he had been bathing our DS (then 2) with dish washing liquid because there were more bubbles so more fun- never mind that it is also corrosive on the skin! On another occassion I asked him to buy DS (aged 5) some motrin. He came back with adult motrin (there was a deal in CVS) and told me to just halve the dose. In light of recent studies I was horrified and of course I did not. I could give many other examples. No one in his family trusts him to carry out simple instructions/tasks because he just goes off on a tangent and does something weird! I love him to bits but he is very odd!

Back on topic - In the end I had to resort to Xanax which I think saved my sanity. It got me through the week and a half and the results were, thank God, benign.
I wish you all the very best and B9 results.

[Anonymous]

I've had too many biopsies to count. My situation sounds a lot like the OP as well as the previous poster who talked about her and her DH's situation. Most recently, I had an endoscopy - waiting on the results was incredibly stressful. I think b/c of what the OP said about the cure rates - that one was much tougher for me. But to be honest, I've had so many darn tests - ct scans, mris of my back and brain, biopsies (I've lost count but have had them on my stomach, uterus and for at least 5 moles), lyme tests, bloodwork, etc. that I've gotten better about handling it. Nobody can figure out what is going on with me. My DH actually did have cancer but a curable form. But my understanding is this - and medical professionals can correct me - that if there is something horribly wrong: 1) the Dr. can usually tell something is up during the test and 2) the pathologist would contact the Dr. ASAP and you would hear from the Dr. ASAP. So I think if it has been 10 days, it is probably fine.

When my DH went through his cancer treatment and was going to lots of scans, I saw a therapist to deal with waiting on results. She tried to get me to not consider the bad stuff until it actually happened. I do find that if I avoid WebMD, I'm better off. So...if you are searching the internet to try and diagnose yourself, please stop!

Anyway, I hope it helps to know others have been through the same stuff and it usually turns out fine. I do think the Dr. would have called you by now if something was wrong. Let us know when you hear though, okay?

[Anonymous]

I've been biopsied to check for the bacteria H. Pylori. I knew specifically that they were looking for that and so the wait wasn't as excruciating. The biopsy was performed via an EGD Endoscopy. You may be suffering from severe gastritis/ulcer type stuff similar to what I was. I am no MD, but as someone who has suffered from stomach ailments since I was 15 (I'm 34), my 'gut' (no pun intended) tells me you'll be ok. You might lose your mind waiting around for the results, though. Have you asked your GI doc what he suspects might be wrong?

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the words of encouragement.

I had the biopsy on Thursday, and while I was told I could speak to the doctor afterwards, I didn't. I blame that poor decision on being drugged out of my gourd. I could barely read the print out they had given me, let alone think of any responsible questions I should have been asking.

Prior to having the endoscopy done he did express concern because I have been in pain for so long. That in conjunction with the fact that my regular doctor was so concerned, and actually told me he was very worried, it is just too easy for me to think the worst. I also never really had any tummy troubles before. When I was pg with dd, I had an acidic stomach, and could not eat anything sugary, and I especially couldn't drink orange juice. These problems went away the moment she was born, and didn't resurface when I was pg with my son. I think because he was lower.

[Anonymous]

I'm the pp who had four areas biopsied. Those 14 days were hell, I won't lie. I compared my photos to the ones of cancer patients I found online and was convinced I had it. Like you, I may be young, but I have one big risk factor - years and years of an eating disorder. I also drink my coffee extremely hot and have a few glasses of wine/week (& my blood type is A, but I had no idea that was one???). Even though my eating has been normal for years, it's hard to deny that damage had been done. In fact, I was freaked out before the biopsy b/c my internist called the gastro doc and got me in the next day. So convinced I was about to receive bad news, I started a video diary for my dd! I don't handle uncertainty very well, either. So, I feel for you. I think you're right to plan for the worst, as long as you also remember that the odds are OVERWHELMINGLY in your favor. Keep us posted. We'll be thinking about you!

[Anonymous]

Drinking hot coffee is a risk factor? Also - I thought wine (well, alcohol) contributed to gastritis in general but not stomach cancer. I thought the main risk factor was the H.P. bacteria??

Just wondering b/c I have gastritis and drink coffee hot. Only one cup but your post worried me a little. I used to drink wine and beer but have been cutting back to maybe 2 glasses a week after all my tests.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. When I found there may be a change for me to have cancer, I looked for the risk factors, just to put everything in perspective. This is the list that was on the Mayo Clinic's website.

Risk factors
Having H. pylori infection makes you more likely to develop stomach cancer than someone who doesn't have the infection. Even so, most people with H. pylori don't get stomach cancer, and researchers believe that genetic factors make some people more susceptible to the disease.

Other risk factors for stomach cancer include:

Your sex. Men have double the rate of stomach cancer that women do.

Age. Most people who develop stomach cancer are older than 50 years.

Diet. A diet high in foods preserved by smoking, salting or pickling increases your risk of stomach cancer. So do foods that contain nitrites and nitrates, such as bacon, ham and processed meats. Eating large amounts of red meat — particularly if it's barbecued or well-done — also increases your risk. On the other hand, consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially those that are red or deep yellow, such as tomatoes, carrots and sweet potatoes, helps protect against stomach cancer.

Tobacco use. Smokers have twice the incidence of stomach cancers that nonsmokers do.

Previous stomach surgery. The risk of stomach cancer may increase in people who have had part of their stomach and the opening to the small intestine (pyloric valve) removed — usually as a treatment for peptic ulcers. After stomach surgery, bile and sometimes pancreatic juices can back up, causing irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis). In addition, the amount of protective stomach acid decreases while nitrite-producing bacteria may increase. These factors can lead to stomach cancer in some people. In general, the risk is greatest for the first 20 years after the initial surgery.

Stomach polyps. These are small growths in the lining of your stomach. Most are noncancerous (benign), but adenomatous polyps may be precancerous.

Familial cancer syndromes. These include hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer and familial adenomatous polyposis, inherited disorders that slightly increase your risk of stomach cancer. People who carry mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes also have an increased stomach cancer risk. These mutations were previously thought to be associated only with breast and ovarian cancers.

Family history. You're more likely to develop stomach cancer if you have a parent or sibling with the disease.

Pernicious anemia. This condition, which is often associated with atrophic gastritis, develops when your stomach is no longer able to make a protein called intrinsic factor that helps your body absorb vitamin B-12. Although pernicious anemia is easily treated with B-12 injections, having the disease can slightly increase your risk of stomach cancer.

Type A blood. Your blood type is determined by the presence or absence of two proteins — A and B — that occur on red blood cells. For reasons that aren't clear, people with type A blood have a somewhat higher risk of stomach cancer than do people with other blood types.

Country of origin. Stomach cancer is more common in some parts of the world — especially Japan, Korea, parts of Eastern Europe, and Latin America — than it is in the United States. These differences are likely related to diet and H. pylori infection. Stomach cancer occurs most often in countries where large amounts of meat or smoked, heavily salted or pickled foods are consumed, or where there is a lack of refrigeration as a means to preserve food.

Obesity. Extra weight has been associated with an increased risk of some cancers, including stomach cancer.