Why would someone be called to an oncology appointment if they don’t have cancer?

[DelusionalBrilliance]

Strange title, apologies in advance but I would be very grateful of any insight.

Family member (male, 70) went into hospital with trouble breathing, fatigue and distended abdomen.

He was in for around two weeks total, intravenous broad spectrum antibiotics, several MRI’s and a biopsy of the liver as a scan showed what they believed to be an abscess but wanted to be sure.

They said there was a “mass” between the liver and lung, but the biopsy was negative for cancer so they discharged him and said to return in a week for another MRI, which he attended.

His breathing is still not great, still fatigued but the abdomen swelling has decreased.

He had a call saying he needs to attend oncology tomorrow for an appointment. The receptionist couldn’t tell him why. The only thing that’s changed / happened since he was in hospital is the MRI.

So if his biopsy was clear, and they discharged him after a week of antibiotics, what could have happened to mean he needs to attend oncology tomorrow?

And insight would be gratefully received, it’s totally thrown us all and we are entirely puzzled. Thank you.

I am not a doctor but could oncology be the department responsible for removing the mass?

That’s a possibility we hadn’t thought of, and we have been brainstorming like crazy so thank you for this idea. I wonder perhaps does it need removing even if non cancerous, stupidly that hadn’t even occurred to me 🤦🏼‍♀️ thanks again x

If they’ve done an MRI and you’ve been called for an oncology appointment then I’m afraid I would fear the worst. So sorry you are going through this. The biopsy of the liver might be negative but they may be concerned there is cancer originating elsewhere. Hope you all get answers soon

If it is a quick i.e. fairly short notice appointment with oncology sorry OP but it sounds fairly serious.

Sounds like something has come to light on the MRI which they want to discuss.

If the mass is benign, but in an awkward/difficult location, they can't always operate to remove it. They may wish to shrink it using chemo.

Thank you, I really appreciate the reply. This is where my mind (reluctantly) has been going. Surely they don’t waste the time of an oncologist and take away an appointment from someone with cancer if they don’t heavily suspect it. I’m hoping it’s not the case, I just can’t see any other logic. That being said, I have very little experience with cancer and hospitals, I don’t really know how these things work and part of me was very much stuck in the thought of “but the biopsy was clear, it can’t be” I’m learning now that apparently sometimes biopsies are clear but there is cancer present. Thank you again, your kindness means a lot x

I would also be prepared for bad news. Sometimes there's an appalling lack of communication. My grandfather found out he had cancer when a MacMillan volunteer appeared next to his hospital bed to offer him support for his diagnosis - which nobody had told him about.

The MRI seems to have triggered it, and it was less than a week before they called him in. Thanks for your insight, I think you’re likely correct x

What a dreadful call to have taken. The lack of transparency is despicable. They shouldn't instruct without a reason.

I hope things go as well as possible.

I really hope it’s not the obvious but sometimes you are seen in clinics that don’t seem to be quite right. It could be that he has a benign mass/tumour but it’s the oncology team who are best placed to treat or remove it because they deal with all kinds of tumours and have the appropriate equipment and skill set.

Hello! You were a fabulous ray of light in my last post, and here you are again ❤️ this something I hadn’t considered, I didn’t even know that could be done. I will keep it in mind and hope it’s something like this and nothing worse. Thank you x

Oh my goodness, this is shocking. Your poor grandfather, I’m speechless. I must say, it’s been a bizarre time communication wise since the moment he took ill, no one says much of anything. I’m sorry your family’s experience was so cruel 😞

There are a bunch of different cancer-like conditions which are handled by oncology despite not being formally cancer, for example benign tumours

Thank you, that’s very kind ❤️

He was stunned, especially as he was so anxious during his hospital stay that it was cancer, and the pure relief and delight he had when they said the biopsy was clear and he could go home. It seems very unfair if this is how he finds out. The past few days waiting have taken such a toll on him x

I had a very large, fast growing, but ultimately benign tumour that was in a very awkward place and my consultant was an oncology surgeon. He was really well placed to perform tricky surgery, despite the tumour not being cancerous.

I really hated that I’d have to sit in the oncology department awaiting my consultations, though- felt like I was taking up space from someone who really needed it.

@Hugsbunny @SleepyRedPanda

Every day is a school day! I wasn’t aware that something non cancerous could be seen in an oncology setting.

I posted out of frustration and anxiety about tomorrow’s appointment and you’ve all been very insightful and kind. I suppose the answer is no one knows until they know, sadly. It does raise questions about the way hospitals communicate with patients, it can certainly be lacking can’t it?

I don’t like those threads where the op never returns, so I will make sure to update tomorrow. Mainly so if anyone else finds themselves in this situation and goes searching for posts, maybe it will shed a tiny bit of light. Thank you all again x

This is reassuring, I’m keeping my fingers crossed it’s something along these lines. Thank you for replying, until this thread I had no idea oncology departments dealt with anything but cancer. I feel very much more educated already. I hope your surgery went well and you are now doing ok?

How worrying for you all. Keeping my fingers crossed that the explanations others have given that are less worrying are correct.

I’ve had appointments in an oncology unit (and surgeries within an oncology surgical centre) without having been diagnosed with cancer for that ailment. I did not specifically see an oncologist during that time. Various surgical specialists, but no appointments with an oncologist. However, Cancer was certainly in the mix for diagnosis, along with other benign diseases.

Now that I have cancer (separate issue in different part of body) , I see an oncologist as part of the team, along with specialist surgeons.

I've been in a similar(ish) position with my DH. Nobody ever mentioned cancer to him, but we were surrounded by people who did have cancer.

It got us thinking that would be his diagnoses, even though we already knew that wasn't the case.

Just the particular doctor or group of doctors for that discipline also worked primarily on cancer patients too.

Everything was fine with DH after a little treatment, but it wasn't a nice ward/department to be on for a couple of days!

Hopefully another little positive thought for you.

Oncology as a word taken from it's greek origins means the study of masses or growths. Many growths are non cancerous, but are still by definition tumours - the surgical skill to remove them is much the same regardless, so not everything oncologists see is "cancer".

It is quite possible however that the radiologist has seen something concerning on the MRI scan, and that there is a possible cancer at the root of the problem - either way, nothing you can do but wait for the appointment - at least whatever it is they are acting quickly.

I hope it isn't the worst news.

Hopefully it's not the bad news you fear. Like you, I would have assumed oncology only deals with cancer. I guess an oncology department may not realise that lay-people think this because they know they do other stuff.

I had this - I have a large benign tumor on my leg - Fibromatosis - I was told I had an oncology appointment before getting the results of a biopsy. However the next day was told it was benign and slow growing (though not during pregnancy!) However, the consultant oncologist at the hospital was a specialist in this, so that's why I was referred to her. I've had it for years now and they just monitor it.

Fingers crossed it is something similar for you

Family member here just been treated in oncology for radiotherapy on a non cancerous mass. We also thought the worst but turned out to just the best place & type of treatment.