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Waiting on Biopsy Results for 13 Days

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Posted 9/16/2009 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Had Biopsy 13 days ago (13 snips).  Still no results.  Called my urologist's office yesterday.  Nurse reported that the lab had "prepared the slides, but pathologist had not read them."  Is this much time normal to get a reading?  Seems excessive to me?  Thanks.
Posted 9/16/2009 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Yes , it is excessive, but what can we do. Usually a week is sufficient, but maybe they had a run on biopsies.
Posted 9/16/2009 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Geez, I would be all over that office, a week is normal, sometimes 10 days happens, but you are talking almost 2 weeks.
Posted 9/16/2009 2:50 AM (GMT 0)

When you had the biopsy done did they give you an expected time to have the results?  I knew before my biopsy that I would have the results the following week.

Best wishes to you,

Dan

Posted 9/16/2009 10:20 AM (GMT 0)
Wasn't there a national holiday recently that will generallly mess up a lot of things since people want to take a few extra days off?

Posted 9/16/2009 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Greetings, newspaperlover.  Sorry you are having to wait so long - you would think that medical folks would know when you have an important test - a biopsy no less - you need to get the results as soon as you possibly can.  My urologist says it generally takes almost a week and he sets up the appointment for the biopsy and then the appointment for the results exactly one week later.  I don't know how big a place you live in, but if it is a decent sized city, you might ask them to see if there is another pathologist to read the slides.  Hope you get good results - and soon.  David

Posted 9/16/2009 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
News, I agree with David (Purgatory)..doctor called with the biopsy results within 24 hours and had a phone consultation with my husband at 6:30 at night! 13 days does seem way too long to wait.

Keep us posted...and good luck!
Posted 9/16/2009 12:56 PM (GMT 0)

I had my biopsy on a Friday and results the following Tuesday morning.  Less than a week seems to be the norm.  It is not only the lab that let you down on this one, it's your doctor's office.  I agree with David...I would be all over them.  Call and demand to speak to the doc personally and give him hell.  I assure you it will flow downhill from there.  And, based on the performance of this lab, you might consider getting your results read by another lab anyway...use one of the best ones like Bostwick or Epstein.

Tudpock

Posted 9/17/2009 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
There can be a variety of factors causing the delay, including when, where the testing was done, and what type of facility it is, holiday periods, second opinioins, staffing issues, etc., etc.  My biopsy was done at a large university hospital/research center and because the analysis was done in-house where there are scores of specialists who do such things I had the results in just more than 24-hours.  My urologist told me he saw evidence of the cancer when doing the ultrasound/needle biopsy but waited for confirming test results before informing me.  I've observed that there are folks here who are quick to blame their physicians for everything so don't be too quick to jump the gun and point fingers.  Best wishes for good news ahead!
Posted 9/17/2009 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, Mavica is right that there can be a lot of excuses as to why it has taken 13 days and counting.  But, IMHO, your doctor let you down by not following up and insisting on better service.  This is totally unacceptable.

Tudpock

Posted 9/17/2009 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
I still agree with Tudpock, now we are talking over 2 weeks, and in this day of communication/technology, it just sounds sloppy to me.
Posted 9/17/2009 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
My first doctor waited three weeks to inform me of my PSA results. handwriting on the back of the printed form that I "may have prostate cancer" and should see an Urologist!
I changed Doctors and found an amazing Urologist with a terrific Nurse and support staff.
I feel very fortunate to be where I am right now.
I do hope in your case the old adage is correct: "No news is good news!"
Posted 9/17/2009 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome here, Michaelangelo. From looking at your stats, you are one of us for sure, and well on the recovery side. Your numbers look good so far. Glad you decided to join us here.

David in SC
Posted 9/17/2009 10:48 PM (GMT 0)

Great information! I’ll make sure that I ask for a realistic time-line from the physician and office staff prior to the start of the procedure. Note to self… add this question to the ever growing list.

Posted 9/17/2009 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Herophilus, and welcome to the forums. Looking at your stats, it is quite common for the DRE not to detect anything. If the PCa is on the side of the prostate away from the rectum, doctors will not feel it.

I was PSA 5.7 and my doctor did not feel anything at DRE. My uro did but struggled to do so. My PCa turned out to be Gleason 8.

Of course that may not happen in your case, and you may not even have PCa. However a high PSA needs to be investigated, and a biopsy is an important part of that. Good luck with yours and let's hope it turns out well.
Posted 9/17/2009 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Still waiting, day 15 tomorrow.  Have called my urologist's office three days running.  First it took them 31 days to schedule a biopsy (not kidding!), now this for the results.  I live in upstate NY, but I am fortunate and have good insurance.  If results bad, may move my case to Sloan.  Not a confidence builder with the local guys so far.  Thanks for all the kind posts.
Posted 9/17/2009 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Newspaper, that is really nuts, never heard of such a long wait, not like you live in outer Mongolia. My biopsies (3) were all schedule in less than a week with a very busy practice, and always got results back in a week or less. That experience would sour my taste for that practice in a hurry. I know waiting is torture, so I am hoping for the best for you.

David in SC.

PS I love upstate NY
Posted 9/18/2009 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
It depends on what day of the week the biopsy was performed on plus Labor Day was a factor, not only that the labs only run Mon-Fri, not to mention mail time. Also  keep in mind that the drs. staff cannot tell you a thing so if the dr is in surgery they'll tell you that it's not in yet. Try to get the number for the name and number for the lab, you'll find out they sent it out on Fri. ,then you call the dr back and it suddenly appears. That's what happened to us. You don't know who to believe.

Pam

Posted 9/21/2009 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Purgatory,
many thanks for the welcome.
Good luck with your radiation therapy.
Posted 9/21/2009 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
If you have read any of my posts you know I am a cynic so take this with a grain of salt. Here's my take. You went to somebody with a successful practice. The Uro's office is busy and they want to fit you in where they have a opening. They are booking 4 weeks out now. They want you in the office so they can get another office visit and consultation charge out of the test. The results of the biopsy were ready <3 days after you got zapped. They don't sit around waiting. Your doc is not studying the results now and deciding how to tell you the news. Most likely he will look at them 1 minute (30 seconds?) before he walks into the examining room where you have been waiting patiently.
That is a long time to wait. When you finally do see him ask if this is indicative of the service you can expect. Then you can decide if you want this doc or not to do the rest of the job. I was told and have read in several places, the earliest you can have surgery is 6 weeks after a biopsy so don't be surprised if that is what he says.
My GP called me at home with the results of my PSA the next day after my blood was drawn. When I said "Oh my" his response was "That is a perfectly reasonable response." I had the biopsy 2 days after I called the Uro for my first appointment. (Mine PCa was pretty aggressive.) That is customer service.
Posted 9/21/2009 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
thank you michaelangelo, best to you too.

worried - most surgeons like to wait at least 8 weeks after the biopsy, but have heard as short as 4 weeks if it were unsually touchy and agressive. Ten to twelve weeks out for low level gleason 6's is not an uncommon practice.
Posted 9/22/2009 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
News, your post said you live in upstate NY...don't know how far "up" you are but we can recommend a great urologist in Westchester County if you would like a referral. Husband had robotic surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital and we were very pleased with the care he received. Just a thought...

Can't believe that you still hadn't heard from the doctor about your biopsy (at least as of the 17th) - that is just inexcusable! Raise a ruckus ... go to the doctor's office and let the staff know you want an answer now! Then take your business elsewhere with biopsy results in hand. Based on this doctor's track record, I don't know that I would trust him (or her) with my life at this point. Doctors who deal with serious illnesses such as cancer should be far more responsive and show some concern for their patients health (physical and mental).

Keep us posted please.
Posted 9/22/2009 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Dear News,

This has to be one of the most inexcusable treatments of a patient by a dr.s office that I have ever heard of. Forget making phone calls, your mental health and well being calls for more direct action.

Go to the labs, demand an answer on where the results are. If they have been sent back to the dr.s office that is the next stop.

Do you know anybody that works for the post office? Borrow a shirt, stride to the front desk and demand answers. Ask them if they know what the expression "Going Postal" means. Make some noise, embarrass them in front of the patients in the waiting room and demand answers right now, not later, no excuses and no waiting.

Between my wife and I we have been dealing with cancer for 5 years. On only a few occasions as my wife's caregiver have I felt the need to get into someone's face. Yet do it I did. While the action was not pleasant for them, it had the desired results.

I did not worry about hurting anyone's feelings. This was the health and well being of my wife they were messing with. If they get their back up and get defensive then it's time for a change of dr.s. Demand the slides and all your records and get on with the diagnosis.

Gone are the days when the docs just said and we did. We have a right and obligation to demand fair treatment. Stand up to them and do it today.

There was a line in movie a few years ago that went, "I HAVE HAD ENOUGH AND I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE".

Make today that day for you and get the answers that you deserve.

Sonny
Posted 9/22/2009 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
I would go to the lab in person. When my original pathology report wasn't handy quick enough for me, and I got tired of being put on the phone by the uro office staff, I simply looked up where the lab was, went upstairs and banged on the door. THey were surprised and said they weren't use to patients being there, but I didn't leave till I had a full copy in my hand. Never even raised my voice.

Newspaper, this is bordering on mental cruelty. I think you should get something out of all this when it is over with.

David in SC
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