Why can't get my father in law get a diagnosis?
My father is in law is 74 years old and a former smoker. He quit smoking in the early 80s. He has a large fast growing mass in his lung near his heart. He has had three biopsies and they have all come back suspicious for cancer but inconclusive. He was scheduled to have another biopsy next week. However after a CT scan his doctor will no longer perform the the surgery because it is too dangerous. My FIL had quadruple bypass surgery 5 years ago and the mass is very near two of the bypasses. The mass has also grown a lot since the last CT at the beginning of October. The doctor is saying things like maybe do radiation or just have to live it. My FIL lives in rural South Carolina and I don't know if he is getting the best care. Is it normal for that many biopsies to come back inconclusive? Should my husband and I suggest he see a new doctor?
I would suggest a second opinion at a Comprehensive Cancer Center, not a local regional hospital. I would find the closest one to your FIL and if it is too far, perhaps he can release the records to them and have a video conference. I am a strong believer in second opinions. Please feel free to follow up with us, we are here for you both. Warmly, Alisa, LungCancer.net Team
I concur with it doesn't hurt to have many eyeballs on a situation if you feel the present doctor's approach seems too lackadaisical, which may not be the case but it always boils down to your comfort level. We hope all turns out okay, please let us know how things turn out.
