Hi
I noticed on the ‘Ask the nurses’ section someone had asked this, and hasn’t got a reply as yet. I know that this seems to be normal at our hospital in Manchester, but it’s frustrating to wait so long! I did ask if they could even say if they know if the margins are clear or not, so I could mentally prepare myself for more surgery if needed, but apparently pathology department give the surgeons all the results at the same time.
I had bilateral lumpectomies and sentinel node biopsies. I’m three and a half weeks on and recovering well, apart from having had a seroma and some lumpiness, but wounds are healing well. I’m hoping I’ll be able to walk the dog again soon on the lead and get back to normal a little!
Do most hospitals in the UK have such a long wait for results, in others’ experience?
i am into week 3 for resection results, last one was same sort fo time in London
I had to wait 6 weeks for results from both my lumpectomies (second one was recision of the first). It has caused considerable delays to my treatment. NICE recommend adjuvant chemotherapy starts within 31 days of surgery - no hope of that with such slow turnaround of pathology results.
I’m in Wales and waited 4 weeks 5 days for my pathology after bilateral lumps and sentinel node biopsy. This was during July and August and was advised the labs had backlogs due to holidays and sickness. It was a horrible time, not only recovering from surgery on both sides so no good side to do anything on, sleeping on my back which is not natural for me. The not knowing if the margins or nodes were clear. If not it would be more surgery and I’d only just started feeling like myself. Lucky for me margins and nodes were clear.
Now another 11 days to meet with oncologist. I was told what the adjuvant treatment plan was so hopefully I will get a date to start. My only concern is the August bank holiday when they don’t do any treatment; I should be receiving weekly Paclitaxol and they mainly do chemo on Monday or Tuesday. It will be 6 weeks and 2 days after surgery when I see the oncologist so will be at lot longer than NICE guidelines!