In that same thread, Dr. Pinder agreed: "Like Dr. West, I've only heard of one case (other than his patient), who a surgical colleague discussed with me."
And Dr. Garfield stated:
"When we first began to have these performed we worried about this occurrence. However, it is so rare that there are case reports in the literature. I, myself, have never seen this with lung cancer or, in fact, any other kind of cancer. I've been involved with this meithod of biopsy for 2-3 decades, so not to worry. We no longer do." - http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php?topic=2197.msg13111#msg13111
Every drug and every invasive procedure has risks, some of which are mentioned as possibilities even though they are quite rare.
I agree. A very rare possibility (I haven't seen or heard of another case since that report), but there's a risk in driving to the clinic too. It's a mistake, I would say, to make decisions based on the rare possibility of an event, whether it's the spread of a cancer from a biopsy, winning the lottery, or avoiding going out on the road in fear of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Reply # - October 28, 2014, 05:41 PM
Hi cathyl,
Hi cathyl,
It is a rare event, although it can happen. Dr. West wrote about the only instance he's ever seen here. Later he stated the following:
"I've only had that one case, and not one before or since, nor have I heard of another case from colleagues. So it's possible, but it's certainly a rare event." - http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php?topic=5426.msg34432#msg34432
In that same thread, Dr. Pinder agreed: "Like Dr. West, I've only heard of one case (other than his patient), who a surgical colleague discussed with me."
And Dr. Garfield stated:
"When we first began to have these performed we worried about this occurrence. However, it is so rare that there are case reports in the literature. I, myself, have never seen this with lung cancer or, in fact, any other kind of cancer. I've been involved with this meithod of biopsy for 2-3 decades, so not to worry. We no longer do." - http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php?topic=2197.msg13111#msg13111
Every drug and every invasive procedure has risks, some of which are mentioned as possibilities even though they are quite rare.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - October 28, 2014, 07:40 PM
I agree. A very rare
I agree. A very rare possibility (I haven't seen or heard of another case since that report), but there's a risk in driving to the clinic too. It's a mistake, I would say, to make decisions based on the rare possibility of an event, whether it's the spread of a cancer from a biopsy, winning the lottery, or avoiding going out on the road in fear of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
-Dr. West
Reply # - October 29, 2014, 11:40 PM
Thank you for the information
Thank you for the information. Someone posed the question and I appreciate your answers.