My mom has had 4 lung biopseys and this doctor said it looks cancerous how can a docto see cancer if thats the case why do they have to send it off ?

Cancer is many types: There are different types of lung cancer. You can tell its cancerous by looking at the cells under high power microscope. Cancer cells have a different appearance with disorganized morphology but to determine the type of cancer you have to do specific staining looking for proteins that distinguish one type of tumor than the other. If the case is challenging, it is often sent out for consultation.

Depends: Maybe they want another pathologists opinion. Another reason is that there are 2 new oral medications for lung cancer. In order to use them, the tumor has to be tested for mutations. If it has a mutation. The drug is likely to be beneficial. Hope this helps.