Pathology results still delayed

[DarknessEmbraced]

I talked to my surgeon's office yesterday and they said that my pathology results most likely won't be back until my appointment with my surgeon in January 6th. I was hoping to know them before Christmas so that I could relax more. It's the uncertainty that bothers me. Is DNA testing usually done along with pathology results or does the surgeon have to request it? I remember the surgeon asking if colon cancer is in my family. It's not on my mother's side but I don't know about my father's since I don't know my father at all nor his family.

[lpas]

I'm so sorry--that really stinks. It seems like you've been waiting forever. I don't know the answer to your question about DNA tests but I would be really irritated about the lengthy delay.

[alphagam]

Personally, I would find such a delay totally unacceptable. I had my surgery done on a Wednesday afternoon and my surgeon called me at 4:30 pm on Friday. I cannot even imagine waiting this long. Last April I had gallbladder/appendix surgery. As is normal, the body parts were sent for pathology. I got those results in about 36 hours. Can you call the hospital?

Kathy

[cathy123]

Wow - that is really a long time. I know the Canadian system is a little different than the US, but still a month and a half seems excessive. However, since they thought you are stage 1, the odds really are in your favor so I would just hope for the best and concentrate on recovering.

As far as the DNA, I think that would only be done if the dr requests it - he should be able to tell you that. I know they did some sort of genetic test on my colonoscopy biopsy since I am relatively young, but older than you. Luckily it showed that it is probably negative - dr felt the need to make it conditional, with this disease there never seems to be any 100% positive news.

[DarknessEmbraced]

Calling the hospital wouldn't do any good unfortunately. At my surgeon's office they can check the stage of my pathology and it still says diagnosis. There's only one pathologist here. There's a huge shortage of doctors so I wouldn't be surprised there is a shortage of specialists as well. I have an endocrinologist and there is only one in my entire province. Could it be because of the holidays coming up?

[KWT]

I think if I was you I'd just sit back and relax, recover and get used to this waiting around shit. It's part of the hijacking process. It took quite some time before I recieved my pathology report I'm thinking a month.

[DarknessEmbraced]

Sorry you had to wait so long Kenny. I try to relax and I do relax but it's always in the back of my mind. I need to focus on the positive.

[meatie]

@DarknessEmbraced

This is taking too long. I am guessing that the hospital lab staff is already in holiday mode and don't want to bother with your colon/rectum specimen until after new year.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I assume it is due to the holidays.

[jjinmd]

How very frustrating. My surgery was the day before yours and I had path results before I left the hospital. My gastroenterologist did the preliminary genetic testing on the biopsy from my colonoscopy. Those results did take longer than the biopsy results. I hope you get some answers soon, and that you can keep your mind occupied until you do.

[orcasres]

I can't speak to the amount of time it is taking to get your path results, but it sounds like an unusually long amount of time. I had surgery on Thursday, first path results on Monday, and the additional testing they needed to do by Tuesday. In the US, the DNA testing is not requested by the surgeon normally. In my case, I was referred to a genetic counselor; the pathologist actually recommended it in the report. It is relatively expensive ($3000 for me - once they identified the suspect gene other relatives would be tested at about half the cost) primarily because of the patents held on the process. Also, there are folks who just do not want to know. So they need to discuss the situation, explain the risks and benefits, and let the patient decide. It was a no brainer for me, especially since insurance covered the cost, but the counselor was nearly in tears as she talked about one patient who already had had colon and endometrial cancer and whose brothers and sisters could not afford the test.

So if you were a US patient, I would be pretty certain that your genetic testing was not automatic or you would have been told it was done, but the system may work differently in Canada. It does require blood samples, and I would have thought you would be told that they were specifically for genetic testing if that was the planned use.

Try and relax for the holidays. Easy for me to say, I know. Lois

[KWT]

I misspoke it was the KRAS testing that took so long for me. Not the pathology report.

[Valorie]

My surgeon had the pathology report in hand the. Day he released me from the hospital. I was in three days. It does seem like it's taking an inordinate amount of time for you to get it. Is your doctor just checking the status online, or have they actually called the lab and asked for the reason for delay? Hang in there DE. I know it must be frustrating for you to wait this long.

Valorie

[DarknessEmbraced]

My surgeon's secretary checks online. She said she can check to see what phase my pathology testing is in. I thought there was only diagnosis and then the report? I was in the hospital six days after surgery. I think the delay is due to the holiday and there only being one pathologist.