Lung Metastasis or inflammation- waiting on CT

KayGirl

I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation before because it leaves me really on edge and concerned: I was diagnosed in September with stage 3, her2 +, lymph node positive breast cancer. My initial ct showed 1-3 mm nodules in my left lung but they said they were too small to biopsy so they would just “monitor them”. I just finished 6 cycles of TCHP AND plan to have mastectomy in three weeks. My oncologist ordered another ct scan to see the status of the lung nodules. Now she is saying that If they are gone, we can assume they were cancer or inflammation from a cold and it could prevent me from having surgery. My question is how can they just assume it was cancer when the when they never biopsied them? Why would I allow them to stop stop my plan for the unknown? Has anyone else been in this situation and if so what’s haened

DATNY

I don't see why surgery cannot proceed. You could chose to do it no matter what.

KayGirl

that’s what I am hoping too! I talked to my surgeon and she agrees with me. Let’s hope my oncologist is on board. I think my biggest fear is them wanting me to go immediately back on chemo for a cancer that may not even be there. I don’t know if that’s even an option but my brain is just going crazy waiting!

vlnrph

Lots of people have lung nodules hanging around after a bout of bronchitis or other respiratory infections. After mine were seen, I had a follow-up CT six months later and they were still there but stable so no worries.

Your oncologist must be taking the conventional approach that, should yours be evidence of metastatic disease, surgery is not needed because the cancer has already spread. Since she seems to be so eager to order scans, you could ask her why a PET wasn't done previously if she thought the spots could be malignant.

The initial treatment of mets might not be more IV chemo. There are many options out there with oral agents, depending on tumor characteristics. Hope you get some answers soon because waiting is often the worst part of the entire ordeal!

KBeee

I would get a second opinion.

siddhivinayak

hi Kaygirl i read your post yesterday but cant replied because i forgot my id and password.My mom diagnosed with stage 3 tnbc with lots of possitive nodes.On her first pet scan which was on after 2 years from completion of all treatments.She was having strange tickling cough when they ordered her a pet.They found multiple sub pleural ground glass nodules on both of her lungs.They were 1-8mm in size.I become frightened just like you and searched many topics on BCO about these nodules and found out that in most of the cases they were benign.In my mom's case they followed it up after 5 months and then there weren't any nodules in one of her lung and in another there was a nodule with reduced fdg activity.Also in my mom's case half of the nodules were fdg avid.

These nodules are very small in your case and very likely to be benign.

You can also check on my previous posts.