Do we need a lung biopsy to confirm pulmonary fibrosis?

Hello doctor,

Yes, it is IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis). A pulmonologist is not sure it is following the same pattern and biopsy. The first-year internist did not follow up on the chest until the patient was brought to my attention radiologist asked for CT.

Six months later I saw a pulmonologist, who diagnosed pulmonary fibrosis six months before and started on the tablet Prednisone 40 mg for six months.

With my allergies to drugs even if a specific drug shows up from a biopsy I may have seen and this pulmonologist says he likes to use two medicines. Do I need to go through one to two weeks post-surgery and then get sick with IPF? I am active after this last hospital visit.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thanks for your follow-up question on icliniq.com.

If it is IPF then why did not they give you anti-fibrotic drugs? This is very strange and negligence on their part. We are fortunate for the last six to seven years that we have had anti-fibrotic drugs available. Tablet Perfinex (Perfenidone) and Nintena (Nintedanib). They have a proven role in pulmonary fibrosis, especially IPF.

I think they will start an anti-fibrotic drug after the biopsy report. Is it right? Had they discussed these two drugs? If a biopsy is showing a fibrotic pattern then you should definitely start any of these two. A lung biopsy can be done via two routes.

One is bronchoscopic lung biopsy which is relatively safe. Second is open lung biopsy which more invasive surgical procedure. Both these techniques have different advantages and disadvantages. So post-biopsy behavior of the patient depends on the type of biopsy.

So please let me know which biopsy they are planning so that I can guide you better.

Wish you good health.

Thanks and regards.