Her2+ and new Lung Nodule/ + enlarged (lung) lymph node

KorynH

I was her2+++, er+/pr+, diagnosed 18 months ago, finished Herceptin 6 months ago and now have had a ct chest scan show a nodule and enlarged lymph node. Occasional cough with constant phlegm in throat, occasional right chest pain....same side as breast cancer, but could be implant causing pain(?). They rescanned after 3 months and it showed no change but they want to re-scan again in 6 months. Should I be concerned? Has anyone ever been followed like this after bc treatment finished? I had negative sentinel lymph node biospy at time of mastectomy but venous lymphatic invasion. Am currently taking Tamoxifen. I don't want to be paranoid but at the same time, not being given the "all clear" is a bit unnerving.

Jenniferz

Koryn,



Someone wiser will be along shortly. I don't know if you SHOULD be concerned, but you probably are, whether you should be or not. I can tell you that I have a friend who has an enlarged lymph node in her lung; she gets scanned once a year, and nothing has changed. It could be the same for you. Maybe talk to your onc. again to get a better feel of things.



Have you posted this in the Her2 thread? Maybe someone there can answer you on the cough and phelgm. Here's hoping everything is truly alright, and hoping someone can help you more.



Jennifer

LRM216

It's wise they are following up - just to be on top of things, but I can tell you I have had a 4mm nodule in my upper left node for the last 10 years and nothing ever has changed.  I had it 9 yrs. prior to my cancer, and it's still the same.  I have heard of gals on this site that have had small nodules appear in their lungs that were absolutely nothing.  Some went completely away, and others - never changed.  I know you are worried - we worry with anything we feel or they might question - just try not to panic.  Just BREATHE - keep us posted and wishing you nothing but the best.

Linda

KorynH

Jenniferz and LRM216-

Thank you both for your support. Of course, knowing that radiologists don't just mention things for the heck of it, it's hard not to have that little question at the back of my mind WHY?  Why did he measure them? Why did he mention it? Why is it / are they there? Why haven't they given me the all clear after 3 months? Is there a chanc ,egiven my breast cancer history and her2 status that it COULD become more down the line? I was once told that you don't move from stage 2 to stage 3, then stage 4. When you have a mets then you are automatically stage 4. They just don't seem to have an adequate way of determining whether or not the breast cancer is "on the move" and catching it before it lodges elsewhere. My doctor never did a scan prior to my chemo last year so I have no way to know if this was there before the diagnosis or not. So many unknowns. It can be maddening.

LRM216

Just hang in there until you know for sure.  I could be wrong, but from what I have read and heard in other posts - the cough that comes with mets to the lung is a dry type of cough, not a phelgmy type.  I think your other questions are what each of us carries everyday since our diagnose.  I hate the thought of spending the rest of my life petrified of every little thing I feel - cause I feel "something" (or at least can turn it into something) every day.  We just have to remain strong, and pray we have beaten the beast.  It's so very life altering though. Not having had the scan prior to treatment is crappy, because if it was there, your worries would be less.  But remember what I said - not everything they find in the lung, liver, etc. is an automatic cancer.  Scans are going to find any little thing, and we all have things in us that we are unaware of.  My scan showed I had diverticulosis - and a tiny "not to worry about at all" stone in my right kidney.  What????  Never had any digestive problems and not to worry about a stone in my kidney?  Great. You cannot torture yourself for six months over this.  We just won't allow it!!!!

Linda