Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Karen W. on 08/02/2009 14:52:01

Title: What is a fatty Tumor?
Post by: Karen W. on 08/02/2009 14:52:01
My sister went into the Doctor to have a fatty Tumor removed...The Doctor attempted removal in the surgical room in her office...

The tumor was located at the base of her spine described as being the size of a small baseball.

They gave her  injections to numb the area...The Doctor then proceeded to attempt removal.. she took part of the tumor and was trying to remove the rest when my sister became extremely uncomfortable with severe pain....

The Doctor said she was having trouble trying to get the remaining tumor as she found it was or had grown into and around spinal cord and a mess of nerves..

They had to give her more medication and close her up without being able to remove the remaining tumor....Third day after there was more problems post operative with the  sugery...... The doctor now tells her that they did something went wrong and there is going to be problems with her back..now its been 11 days since 1rst surgery and on day 8 she had a second surgery... and there seems to be some damage from the 1rst verified .   Damage from pulling on the tumor and trying to cut it away...from spinal cord...
They took 2 more biopsies 3 days ago one in each
shoulder Blade....
they have called in a cancer specialist..... for the remaing lumps they have found..

Soooooooo.. what is a fatty tumor?   
Aren't they generally harmless? She was told it would be in and out very common proceedure etc,  but can a fatty tumor actually cause this much trouble in that area?
Title: Re: What is a fatty Tumor?
Post by: yor_on on 08/02/2009 15:58:23
It is a lipoma.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-6966387.html

But before operating on it they should have took a biopsy of it.
It's a sloppy procedure just trying to take it away without testing for what it might be, if they didn't.
And not checking if it had became attached by a MRI or similar. There are people of the medical profession here, I hope they can tell you more.

Look at it as a start of a correct treatment, Karen.
And tell your sister that too. 

---
Sorry, this link is more factual.
Title: What is a fatty Tumor?
Post by: Karen W. on 09/02/2009 09:01:10
I talked with her about the biopsi... she mentioned something about 12 needle biopsies..The fatty tissue one was biopsied but not examined with Mri as far as she has said. I will ask tomorrow..
She did say it shocked the docto and she said it was a surprise to her so they stopped and closed.

 she has more one the doctor checked and said they want it to matastizize before they remove it...which makes no sense to me.. this is the cancer Doctor....I always thought you wanted to treat before it matastisizes and spreads.. she said she does not want to cut into it at this point!
From Cancer experience on my mother...surgery on a cancerous section Like that can spread it....
Title: What is a fatty Tumor?
Post by: JnA on 09/02/2009 14:13:28
It's more likely the location causing the issues.

I hope she's ok Karen.
Title: What is a fatty Tumor?
Post by: yor_on on 09/02/2009 16:25:55
Karen, I agree with Jna. To have it at your spine is a very difficult thing. There are such a lot of extremly important nerves going through there. But don't worry. Now that they know the magnitude of the problem they will go carefully. It all depends on how long it's been there, if you are the least unsure you can ask them to get an outside opinion before they do something drastic. Also you should be sure to get an opinion of what different procedures there are to choose between.

If it's cancer and there is metastases (daughter growths) it will take quite some time to recover, and it will be hard. She will need a lot of optimistic support, don't you dare give up on it girl. She has you, right, and I'm sure there are a lot more people than you think caring.

You really need to have a good talk with her Doctor(s), so that you know what options there are.
And we all hope for the best.
Title: What is a fatty Tumor?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/02/2009 06:45:43
Thank you both.. My sister Lives in oregon and is several hundred miles away from me.. so I cannot be there with her.. We have been talking every night.. I have not spoke to her yet tonight.. usually around midnight.. we both have odd hrs of sleep and no sleep. The spot on her back is definitely just location problem but the other s they biopsied are cancerous and they want to wait for it to matastisize before
They make an attempt to remove it.. then she said they do not want to cut yet..She is trying to avoid radiation and chemo???