New Patient Seeks Wisdom

I was treated in February at Will’s. I had plaque radiation. I go back in summer for laser and Avestin. I will say to you not worry about the 4 to 6 weeks to get the plaque, while not easy mentally to deal with you will be fine otherwise. When I was first diagnosed I had scans with contrast and without, X-ray and blood work all in the same day. My doc told me I could get plaque within 2 weeks. I wanted to wait a bit longer for personal reasons. I was told by my doc who is an eye tumor specialist and has done plaque surgery that it was fine to wait the 4 weeks I had requested. This is a very slow growing tumor, a few weeks for me was fine. When I got to Will’s 4 weeks later and had more images and measuring of my eye, it was EXACTLY the same size as 4 weeks earlier. I hopes this helps. I know mentally it can be frightening and much uncertainty . But keep the faith…..keep busy… and you’re going to be fine.

Oops sorry about typos 🙂 Typing with ointment in your eyes can be a bit difficult 🙂

I'm curious about this – I never heard of anyone putting ointment in their eyes months after plaque. Is this common?

What an incredibly insensitive questions, you have posed to the person who mentions trouble seeing with ointment in her eyes. Of course, many OM patients will use ointments for weeks, months and possibly years. It certainly depends on “their” eyes condition and complications.

I really do not care to post anonymously, but it appears,I must on this one.

Wishing you well in this journey 🙂 hugs

One more thing. I notice Cindyann does not mention how long she has been using the ointment. Would you happen to know that? Since you mention, you’ve never heard of someone using ointment months after plaque? 🙂

Cindyann wrote  a couple comments up, that she was treated in February at Will's. I didn't ask how long she had been using ointment, I asked if using ointment months after treatment was common. And no…I have never heard of anyone using ointment months after having plaque…that's why I asked if it was common.

Cindyann wrote  a couple comments up, that she was treated in February at Will's. I didn't ask how long she had been using ointment, I asked if using ointment months after treatment was common. And no…I have never heard of anyone using ointment months after having plaque…that's why I asked if it was common.

Cindyann wrote  a couple comments up, that she was treated in February at Will's. I didn't ask how long she had been using ointment, I asked if using ointment months after treatment was common. And no…I have never heard of anyone using ointment months after having plaque…that's why I asked if it was common.

One more thing. I notice Cindyann does not mention how long she has been using the ointment. Would you happen to know that? Since you mention, you’ve never heard of someone using ointment months after plaque? 🙂

One more thing. I notice Cindyann does not mention how long she has been using the ointment. Would you happen to know that? Since you mention, you’ve never heard of someone using ointment months after plaque? 🙂

You volunteered that you are putting ointment in your eyes and if this was a sensitive topic perhaps you might not have shared that.  I am sorry asking "is this common" was somehow offensive to you.  Perhaps in the future if a certain aspect of this disease is something you don't want to be questioned about – you don't post about it. 

You never know what's going to set some people off. I'm not sure what "ointment" the original poster was referring to, but I have been on Prednisolone (corticosteroid) and Nevenac (NSAID) continuously for about 2 years. I originally went on them because of glaucoma that we were trying to get under control. At my last apointment, my ocular oncologict told me that my eye is doing the best among all his patients, so maybe that explains why he's in no hurry to get me off them.

Yes, what you say is true. I’m the one who has been on the ointment since 3/4/2013 . I didn’t think that was a long time at all. I do have another chronic eye condition that will keep me using ointments and drops the rest of my life. I’m glad to hear you are doing well. 🙂
It’s too bad we had to get “off topic” in regards to MY eye ointment. Maybe a new thread should have been started with that question.

Yes, what you say is true. I’m the one who has been on the ointment since 3/4/2013 . I didn’t think that was a long time at all. I do have another chronic eye condition that will keep me using ointments and drops the rest of my life. I’m glad to hear you are doing well. 🙂
It’s too bad we had to get “off topic” in regards to MY eye ointment. Maybe a new thread should have been started with that question.

Yes, what you say is true. I’m the one who has been on the ointment since 3/4/2013 . I didn’t think that was a long time at all. I do have another chronic eye condition that will keep me using ointments and drops the rest of my life. I’m glad to hear you are doing well. 🙂
It’s too bad we had to get “off topic” in regards to MY eye ointment. Maybe a new thread should have been started with that question.

Joel, I was not referring to you when I said , “too bad we had to get “off topic”. Hope your day is peaceful.

Joel, I was not referring to you when I said , “too bad we had to get “off topic”. Hope your day is peaceful.

Joel, I was not referring to you when I said , “too bad we had to get “off topic”. Hope your day is peaceful.

You never know what's going to set some people off. I'm not sure what "ointment" the original poster was referring to, but I have been on Prednisolone (corticosteroid) and Nevenac (NSAID) continuously for about 2 years. I originally went on them because of glaucoma that we were trying to get under control. At my last apointment, my ocular oncologict told me that my eye is doing the best among all his patients, so maybe that explains why he's in no hurry to get me off them.

You never know what's going to set some people off. I'm not sure what "ointment" the original poster was referring to, but I have been on Prednisolone (corticosteroid) and Nevenac (NSAID) continuously for about 2 years. I originally went on them because of glaucoma that we were trying to get under control. At my last apointment, my ocular oncologict told me that my eye is doing the best among all his patients, so maybe that explains why he's in no hurry to get me off them.

You volunteered that you are putting ointment in your eyes and if this was a sensitive topic perhaps you might not have shared that.  I am sorry asking "is this common" was somehow offensive to you.  Perhaps in the future if a certain aspect of this disease is something you don't want to be questioned about – you don't post about it. 

You volunteered that you are putting ointment in your eyes and if this was a sensitive topic perhaps you might not have shared that.  I am sorry asking "is this common" was somehow offensive to you.  Perhaps in the future if a certain aspect of this disease is something you don't want to be questioned about – you don't post about it. 

What an incredibly insensitive questions, you have posed to the person who mentions trouble seeing with ointment in her eyes. Of course, many OM patients will use ointments for weeks, months and possibly years. It certainly depends on “their” eyes condition and complications.

I really do not care to post anonymously, but it appears,I must on this one.

Wishing you well in this journey 🙂 hugs

What an incredibly insensitive questions, you have posed to the person who mentions trouble seeing with ointment in her eyes. Of course, many OM patients will use ointments for weeks, months and possibly years. It certainly depends on “their” eyes condition and complications.

I really do not care to post anonymously, but it appears,I must on this one.

Wishing you well in this journey 🙂 hugs

I'm curious about this – I never heard of anyone putting ointment in their eyes months after plaque. Is this common?

I'm curious about this – I never heard of anyone putting ointment in their eyes months after plaque. Is this common?

Oops sorry about typos 🙂 Typing with ointment in your eyes can be a bit difficult 🙂

Oops sorry about typos 🙂 Typing with ointment in your eyes can be a bit difficult 🙂

I was treated in February at Will’s. I had plaque radiation. I go back in summer for laser and Avestin. I will say to you not worry about the 4 to 6 weeks to get the plaque, while not easy mentally to deal with you will be fine otherwise. When I was first diagnosed I had scans with contrast and without, X-ray and blood work all in the same day. My doc told me I could get plaque within 2 weeks. I wanted to wait a bit longer for personal reasons. I was told by my doc who is an eye tumor specialist and has done plaque surgery that it was fine to wait the 4 weeks I had requested. This is a very slow growing tumor, a few weeks for me was fine. When I got to Will’s 4 weeks later and had more images and measuring of my eye, it was EXACTLY the same size as 4 weeks earlier. I hopes this helps. I know mentally it can be frightening and much uncertainty . But keep the faith…..keep busy… and you’re going to be fine.

I was treated in February at Will’s. I had plaque radiation. I go back in summer for laser and Avestin. I will say to you not worry about the 4 to 6 weeks to get the plaque, while not easy mentally to deal with you will be fine otherwise. When I was first diagnosed I had scans with contrast and without, X-ray and blood work all in the same day. My doc told me I could get plaque within 2 weeks. I wanted to wait a bit longer for personal reasons. I was told by my doc who is an eye tumor specialist and has done plaque surgery that it was fine to wait the 4 weeks I had requested. This is a very slow growing tumor, a few weeks for me was fine. When I got to Will’s 4 weeks later and had more images and measuring of my eye, it was EXACTLY the same size as 4 weeks earlier. I hopes this helps. I know mentally it can be frightening and much uncertainty . But keep the faith…..keep busy… and you’re going to be fine.

You can contact Dr. Shields office at
1-215-928-3105 and the staff will be able to give you an estimate of the cost for the plaque for your tumor. If you do a google search for “ocumel” you will see a website for the ocular melanoma community. In the upper right hand area of the page go to “patient info” there you will find “doctor finder.” It is an International listing of doctors; all doctors listed must spend 50 percent of their practice in eye cancer.
Doctors listed for Vancover include: Jack Rootman and Katherine Paton. Other doctors are listed in Toronto, Quebec City and Montreal.
To choose your doctor find out how many OM patients they treat a year. Your surgery includes a custom plaque that is created to tr e at “your” tumor by a physicist. Take time to look at the symposium videos listed here. Be sure to do some research and google small ocular melanoma tumors mortality. Size of the tumor, characteristics of the tumor, location of the tumor and your age are important
considerations. Make sure that you have a gene study of your tumor taken before the tumor is radiated if you want to get a prognosis of possibility of mets. Find out how many gene biopsys (sp) have been done successfully on small tumors…if this is important to you. Sometimes knowing the make up of the cancer gene can direct your treatment later if you have mets. Yes, patients with small ocular melanomas can develop mets.
Keep advocating for yourself. Be determined, informed and fearless.
I want to see good news here from you. It lifts all of our spirits when we know someone is on the right path forward.
Sincerely,
Ann Wilson

You can contact Dr. Shields office at
1-215-928-3105 and the staff will be able to give you an estimate of the cost for the plaque for your tumor. If you do a google search for “ocumel” you will see a website for the ocular melanoma community. In the upper right hand area of the page go to “patient info” there you will find “doctor finder.” It is an International listing of doctors; all doctors listed must spend 50 percent of their practice in eye cancer.
Doctors listed for Vancover include: Jack Rootman and Katherine Paton. Other doctors are listed in Toronto, Quebec City and Montreal.
To choose your doctor find out how many OM patients they treat a year. Your surgery includes a custom plaque that is created to tr e at “your” tumor by a physicist. Take time to look at the symposium videos listed here. Be sure to do some research and google small ocular melanoma tumors mortality. Size of the tumor, characteristics of the tumor, location of the tumor and your age are important
considerations. Make sure that you have a gene study of your tumor taken before the tumor is radiated if you want to get a prognosis of possibility of mets. Find out how many gene biopsys (sp) have been done successfully on small tumors…if this is important to you. Sometimes knowing the make up of the cancer gene can direct your treatment later if you have mets. Yes, patients with small ocular melanomas can develop mets.
Keep advocating for yourself. Be determined, informed and fearless.
I want to see good news here from you. It lifts all of our spirits when we know someone is on the right path forward.
Sincerely,
Ann Wilson

You can contact Dr. Shields office at
1-215-928-3105 and the staff will be able to give you an estimate of the cost for the plaque for your tumor. If you do a google search for “ocumel” you will see a website for the ocular melanoma community. In the upper right hand area of the page go to “patient info” there you will find “doctor finder.” It is an International listing of doctors; all doctors listed must spend 50 percent of their practice in eye cancer.
Doctors listed for Vancover include: Jack Rootman and Katherine Paton. Other doctors are listed in Toronto, Quebec City and Montreal.
To choose your doctor find out how many OM patients they treat a year. Your surgery includes a custom plaque that is created to tr e at “your” tumor by a physicist. Take time to look at the symposium videos listed here. Be sure to do some research and google small ocular melanoma tumors mortality. Size of the tumor, characteristics of the tumor, location of the tumor and your age are important
considerations. Make sure that you have a gene study of your tumor taken before the tumor is radiated if you want to get a prognosis of possibility of mets. Find out how many gene biopsys (sp) have been done successfully on small tumors…if this is important to you. Sometimes knowing the make up of the cancer gene can direct your treatment later if you have mets. Yes, patients with small ocular melanomas can develop mets.
Keep advocating for yourself. Be determined, informed and fearless.
I want to see good news here from you. It lifts all of our spirits when we know someone is on the right path forward.
Sincerely,
Ann Wilson

Simon, it would be difficult to give you a cost. As individuals with different medical histories, it would vary. My insurance paid for out of network and with the health keepers , it was low cost for me. Actually cost me much less than if i would have had care in network. However as one of the other posters pointed out you living in Canada might be different in regards to the cost of the treatment. The Facebook group is the best!! As Anne Marie stated there are quite a few of the members from Canada. I’ll send you an invite 🙂

I sent you a pm. Get on the group … Try to stay free of anxiety …. It’s hard. One thing Dr. Carol Shields told me was to stay off line researching, as it would scare the heck out of me. She was so right. I know, because , Initially I went online researching….Join a OM group and chat…..take care

I sent you a pm. Get on the group … Try to stay free of anxiety …. It’s hard. One thing Dr. Carol Shields told me was to stay off line researching, as it would scare the heck out of me. She was so right. I know, because , Initially I went online researching….Join a OM group and chat…..take care

I sent you a pm. Get on the group … Try to stay free of anxiety …. It’s hard. One thing Dr. Carol Shields told me was to stay off line researching, as it would scare the heck out of me. She was so right. I know, because , Initially I went online researching….Join a OM group and chat…..take care

Hi Simon,

When I inquired 6 1/2 years ago, just the surgery itself was $25,000.  This did not take in to account the cost of the pre-surgical testing, hospital stay(1 night), anesthesiologist, nursing care, etc.  I would think it would be upwards of $100,000.  

Anne Marie

"I would think it would be upwards of $100,000."

Not even close $100,000! Perhaps in some areas or countries where the surgery is done in-patient instead of out-patient, but not at Wills Eye Hospital. There is no separate nursing care, it is a line item in the bill and covers the nurse coming to the hotel where you stay or toward the end of the stay, calling to check on you. If the OP want's a detailed excel file with every bill outlined – post a private email address and I would be happy to reply privately.

It would be interesting to know what you end up paying locally.  I didn't shop around at all when I was diagnosed – I was in such a panic I didn't even think to check and see if Wills was in-network or not.  I was just very fortunate. If you are considered to be high risk, you will want to look into Dr. Sato in Philly – just down the block from the Wills Eye Hospital! He is considered by pretty much everyone to be the expert in high risk OM patients.  He does not treat the "eye" – you see him once your eye is treated by the OM specialist.

(BOLD for emphasis – not anger by the way – that is the way it is done online.)

It would be interesting to know what you end up paying locally.  I didn't shop around at all when I was diagnosed – I was in such a panic I didn't even think to check and see if Wills was in-network or not.  I was just very fortunate. If you are considered to be high risk, you will want to look into Dr. Sato in Philly – just down the block from the Wills Eye Hospital! He is considered by pretty much everyone to be the expert in high risk OM patients.  He does not treat the "eye" – you see him once your eye is treated by the OM specialist.

(BOLD for emphasis – not anger by the way – that is the way it is done online.)

It would be interesting to know what you end up paying locally.  I didn't shop around at all when I was diagnosed – I was in such a panic I didn't even think to check and see if Wills was in-network or not.  I was just very fortunate. If you are considered to be high risk, you will want to look into Dr. Sato in Philly – just down the block from the Wills Eye Hospital! He is considered by pretty much everyone to be the expert in high risk OM patients.  He does not treat the "eye" – you see him once your eye is treated by the OM specialist.

(BOLD for emphasis – not anger by the way – that is the way it is done online.)

Anonymous,

No need to quote what I said and use it on your post if you disagree with my statement. Then you bold your statement in a way to totally discount what I said.  You seem angry at what I said.  Just say you disagree in a supportive way.  

Many insurance companies in the US have separate major medical and hospitalization coverage.  Different doctors you see will bill separately and this increases the cost.

Simon, I'm glad you will receive treatment locally, it will be a lot less stressful than having to travel to the US.  Keep us posted on your treatment.

Best,

Anne Marie

Anonymous,

No need to quote what I said and use it on your post if you disagree with my statement. Then you bold your statement in a way to totally discount what I said.  You seem angry at what I said.  Just say you disagree in a supportive way.  

Many insurance companies in the US have separate major medical and hospitalization coverage.  Different doctors you see will bill separately and this increases the cost.

Simon, I'm glad you will receive treatment locally, it will be a lot less stressful than having to travel to the US.  Keep us posted on your treatment.

Best,

Anne Marie

Anonymous,

No need to quote what I said and use it on your post if you disagree with my statement. Then you bold your statement in a way to totally discount what I said.  You seem angry at what I said.  Just say you disagree in a supportive way.  

Many insurance companies in the US have separate major medical and hospitalization coverage.  Different doctors you see will bill separately and this increases the cost.

Simon, I'm glad you will receive treatment locally, it will be a lot less stressful than having to travel to the US.  Keep us posted on your treatment.

Best,

Anne Marie

"I would think it would be upwards of $100,000."

Not even close $100,000! Perhaps in some areas or countries where the surgery is done in-patient instead of out-patient, but not at Wills Eye Hospital. There is no separate nursing care, it is a line item in the bill and covers the nurse coming to the hotel where you stay or toward the end of the stay, calling to check on you. If the OP want's a detailed excel file with every bill outlined – post a private email address and I would be happy to reply privately.

"I would think it would be upwards of $100,000."

Not even close $100,000! Perhaps in some areas or countries where the surgery is done in-patient instead of out-patient, but not at Wills Eye Hospital. There is no separate nursing care, it is a line item in the bill and covers the nurse coming to the hotel where you stay or toward the end of the stay, calling to check on you. If the OP want's a detailed excel file with every bill outlined – post a private email address and I would be happy to reply privately.

Hi Simon,

When I inquired 6 1/2 years ago, just the surgery itself was $25,000.  This did not take in to account the cost of the pre-surgical testing, hospital stay(1 night), anesthesiologist, nursing care, etc.  I would think it would be upwards of $100,000.  

Anne Marie

Hi Simon,

When I inquired 6 1/2 years ago, just the surgery itself was $25,000.  This did not take in to account the cost of the pre-surgical testing, hospital stay(1 night), anesthesiologist, nursing care, etc.  I would think it would be upwards of $100,000.  

Anne Marie

Prior to the deductions applying the in-network negotiated rates, it was about $36,250.  You should also see if they will honor negotiated rates for the proceedures – example: one of the proceedures was $12,000.  The AETNA in-network adjusted rated was $2,399.

The balance I owed was still more than I could pay on the spot because I have a $10,000 a year deductible.  I was able to enter into a payment plan where every month my credit card is charged, and as long as I don't miss a month – no interest.

Check out their website because they have a list of hotels that have a Wills Eye Hospital discounted rate, too. The Holiday Inn Express is walking distance from the Hospital and surrounded by terrific restaurants, too!

Best Wishes!

Prior to the deductions applying the in-network negotiated rates, it was about $36,250.  You should also see if they will honor negotiated rates for the proceedures – example: one of the proceedures was $12,000.  The AETNA in-network adjusted rated was $2,399.

The balance I owed was still more than I could pay on the spot because I have a $10,000 a year deductible.  I was able to enter into a payment plan where every month my credit card is charged, and as long as I don't miss a month – no interest.

Check out their website because they have a list of hotels that have a Wills Eye Hospital discounted rate, too. The Holiday Inn Express is walking distance from the Hospital and surrounded by terrific restaurants, too!

Best Wishes!

Prior to the deductions applying the in-network negotiated rates, it was about $36,250.  You should also see if they will honor negotiated rates for the proceedures – example: one of the proceedures was $12,000.  The AETNA in-network adjusted rated was $2,399.

The balance I owed was still more than I could pay on the spot because I have a $10,000 a year deductible.  I was able to enter into a payment plan where every month my credit card is charged, and as long as I don't miss a month – no interest.

Check out their website because they have a list of hotels that have a Wills Eye Hospital discounted rate, too. The Holiday Inn Express is walking distance from the Hospital and surrounded by terrific restaurants, too!

Best Wishes!

Simon, it would be difficult to give you a cost. As individuals with different medical histories, it would vary. My insurance paid for out of network and with the health keepers , it was low cost for me. Actually cost me much less than if i would have had care in network. However as one of the other posters pointed out you living in Canada might be different in regards to the cost of the treatment. The Facebook group is the best!! As Anne Marie stated there are quite a few of the members from Canada. I’ll send you an invite 🙂

Simon, it would be difficult to give you a cost. As individuals with different medical histories, it would vary. My insurance paid for out of network and with the health keepers , it was low cost for me. Actually cost me much less than if i would have had care in network. However as one of the other posters pointed out you living in Canada might be different in regards to the cost of the treatment. The Facebook group is the best!! As Anne Marie stated there are quite a few of the members from Canada. I’ll send you an invite 🙂

Hi Simon,

I'm not sure why your doctor is not listed? Don't know how the list on this site was compiled, but will look into it.

See you on FB.

Anne Marie

Hi Simon,

I'm not sure why your doctor is not listed? Don't know how the list on this site was compiled, but will look into it.

See you on FB.

Anne Marie

Hi Simon,

I'm not sure why your doctor is not listed? Don't know how the list on this site was compiled, but will look into it.

See you on FB.

Anne Marie

I don't know anyone who waited until their biopsy (genetic test results) were back before treatment.  Those tests just determine the risk of METs – not whether or not this is cancer. Depending on which test you get on your biopsy, it can take over 3 months for the results to get back. They effect the future…not the present.

The ability to perform either the monosomy 3 test or the Castle Biosciences test is a major reason for having a biopsy done, but I wasn't thinking about waiting for results of that kind of test. It just seems to me that there is information that could be gained from the biopsy that might affect the plaque treatment.

FYI-Simon has everything under control. He’s been very busy getting everything set up. He has good doctors. I’m sure, if he wants, he will leave an update here at a later date. Bye

FYI-Simon has everything under control. He’s been very busy getting everything set up. He has good doctors. I’m sure, if he wants, he will leave an update here at a later date. Bye

FYI-Simon has everything under control. He’s been very busy getting everything set up. He has good doctors. I’m sure, if he wants, he will leave an update here at a later date. Bye

Joel- thank you. You seem like a nice and caring person. But everything has been taken care of now. Your post was very informative. Thanks and have a good evening. .

Hi all!! I had my plaque removed 3/4/2013. So at the time I posted above to Simon, it had been almost 7 weeks. The instructions for me were 6 to 8 weeks. But, I was told today at my eye appointmentI would need to use the ointment and drops for 7 more days. I also have to use an ointment for the rest of my life, as I have a chronic eye condition . It’s very true we will all have different doc’s orders to follow and different aftercare.
Hope this clears this up! No pun intended! Haha!
Btw-I have ointment in my eyes!! Seriously!!

Sorry me again- not being rude but I’m stopping all alerts to this thread. It’s driving my phone crazy!! I have Simon as my friend, so I’ll be able to keep up with how he progresses . Thanks all you guys!! Enjoy your summer, it’s upon us!! Life’s good!! Try it !!!

Sorry me again- not being rude but I’m stopping all alerts to this thread. It’s driving my phone crazy!! I have Simon as my friend, so I’ll be able to keep up with how he progresses . Thanks all you guys!! Enjoy your summer, it’s upon us!! Life’s good!! Try it !!!

Sorry me again- not being rude but I’m stopping all alerts to this thread. It’s driving my phone crazy!! I have Simon as my friend, so I’ll be able to keep up with how he progresses . Thanks all you guys!! Enjoy your summer, it’s upon us!! Life’s good!! Try it !!!

Hi all!! I had my plaque removed 3/4/2013. So at the time I posted above to Simon, it had been almost 7 weeks. The instructions for me were 6 to 8 weeks. But, I was told today at my eye appointmentI would need to use the ointment and drops for 7 more days. I also have to use an ointment for the rest of my life, as I have a chronic eye condition . It’s very true we will all have different doc’s orders to follow and different aftercare.
Hope this clears this up! No pun intended! Haha!
Btw-I have ointment in my eyes!! Seriously!!

Hi all!! I had my plaque removed 3/4/2013. So at the time I posted above to Simon, it had been almost 7 weeks. The instructions for me were 6 to 8 weeks. But, I was told today at my eye appointmentI would need to use the ointment and drops for 7 more days. I also have to use an ointment for the rest of my life, as I have a chronic eye condition . It’s very true we will all have different doc’s orders to follow and different aftercare.
Hope this clears this up! No pun intended! Haha!
Btw-I have ointment in my eyes!! Seriously!!

Joel- thank you. You seem like a nice and caring person. But everything has been taken care of now. Your post was very informative. Thanks and have a good evening. .

Joel- thank you. You seem like a nice and caring person. But everything has been taken care of now. Your post was very informative. Thanks and have a good evening. .

The ability to perform either the monosomy 3 test or the Castle Biosciences test is a major reason for having a biopsy done, but I wasn't thinking about waiting for results of that kind of test. It just seems to me that there is information that could be gained from the biopsy that might affect the plaque treatment.

The ability to perform either the monosomy 3 test or the Castle Biosciences test is a major reason for having a biopsy done, but I wasn't thinking about waiting for results of that kind of test. It just seems to me that there is information that could be gained from the biopsy that might affect the plaque treatment.

I don't know anyone who waited until their biopsy (genetic test results) were back before treatment.  Those tests just determine the risk of METs – not whether or not this is cancer. Depending on which test you get on your biopsy, it can take over 3 months for the results to get back. They effect the future…not the present.

I don't know anyone who waited until their biopsy (genetic test results) were back before treatment.  Those tests just determine the risk of METs – not whether or not this is cancer. Depending on which test you get on your biopsy, it can take over 3 months for the results to get back. They effect the future…not the present.