CT scan show lung nodule- worried!

phet7178

Hi all - over the weekend I was experiencing chest pains and went into the ER. They scanned me for a pulmonary embolism, on account of my cancer history (I was treated last year for ER+ BC, neoadjuvant chemo, mastectomy, radiation, now hormone treatment, left breast, no nodes). There was no embolism, but the CT scan showed up a new 'indeterminate lung nodule.' The ER doctor told me he needed to forward this information to my oncologist and to expect more scans to follow up.

Now I'm terrified of course. The chest pains themselves were unexplained (they have been in the lower right quadrant of my chest, sharp pain when breathing or coughing but nothing else). They have mostly gone away now. But I'm left with the terror of this nodule. I know many people have benign nodules show up on their lungs at the time of first diagnosis, but my scans were all clear then (i.e. 14 months ago). So this nodule has appeared since then. I did have a bad cold with a dry cough in February (possible Covid19 but who knows, we weren't testing for it then!) and I tell myself maybe that caused some inflammation. But then I feel like I'm clutching at straws. Also, the Google (I know, I know) tells me that 'indeterminate' nodes means nodes that *don't* show clear signs of being benign like calcifications or fat deposits.

I've been crying all day and can't bear the thought of the waiting. Hoping someone else has been through the same and/or has some wisdom to share

jcp

phet7178, Please hang in there. Oh my God, I know it's tough! I will pray that it is benign! Well, they haven't determined exactly what it is yet so that does NOT mean it's cancer so you really dont know yet what it is. I know I'd be like you, but just wait. It may be okay. Sincerely, JCP

BevJen

phet7178,

Please hand in there as jcp said. I was originally diagnosed in 2003. In 2006 I had a single site metastasis to my cervix, followed by hysterectomy. That started a whole new slew of testing (meaning CT scans). Throughout 2007, they thought they saw stuff in my lungs -- small nodules -- which brought on more scans. I think it continued on to 2008, when finally they said -- oh, nothing there. So who the heck knows what they saw, if it was a relic from my hysterectomy following my metastasis in 2006, or what? Hold tight until you have more scans and talk more to your oncologist.

berries

My heart goes out to you! I know the waiting and the what ifs are very scary and can bring you into dark places. I have heard many many cases where nodules are benign.

You have had radiation, so it could be that. t I know someone who went in for a biopsy of a 4cm nodule that was benign and caused by radiation. Other things can cause nodules, so try not to worry unless you hear otherwise!

I am praying for a clear CT scan for you, whenever it is scheduled. Please keep us posted!

jcp

BevJen, I saw that you had a history of possible lung nodules. My chest xray showed an area of calcifications in the hilar region. The asthma dr sent me to a pulmonologist who ordered a CT of chest scan for this Thursday at 3:30. It's taken a while to get this appointment. Fo you know anything about different nodules? First I was told calcifications, then nodule, then lymph node. Heck I dont know what it is exactly except that it contains calcifications. If you can answer at all about your experiences with it, I'd be most thankful. JCP

jcp

test

jcp

phet7178, how are you doing? Were the scans scheduled yet? Let us know how you are doing. No news is good news. Hang on to that for now bc you haven't had "news" of anything bad. JCP

Flo80

Hi Phet7178,

I am so sorry that you have to go through this. Praying it be nothing and I have seen many posts where people say lung nodules are common and not always Cancer. Hope the time goes quickly abc you get answers. I am having weird sensation in my chest when I do little activity as if I have run a marathon. I get pains at timed when I cough and tightness too. I am myself so scared and insisted my doctor to have a ct scan and wiring for an appointment.

At times radiation can cause the damage too. Praying for you .

Hugs and please stay positive everything will be okay.

Regards

Flora

Flo80

Hi Phet7178,

Thinking about you. Did you get any update? Praying for you and sending hugs.

Regards

Flora

Flo80

Hi Jacob any update? Praying for a clear scan. Hugs and lov

jcp

Phet7178, Just checking on you. If you don't want to talk it's okay. I am waiting on my results still from a week ago. I usually don't call.

I wait for them to call me. I'm so afraid that I can't usually call. Feel free to PM me.

Take care,

JCP Susan

berries

Thinking of you susan! Sending you love.

Flo80

Praying for a clear scan Susan. I also had a chest ct and the doctor found a 3mm spot. They think it’s inflammation and nothing to worry . They said will repeat ct in 3 months to see. But I still am worried.

Regards

Flora

Flnative

I was in the ED last night for a kidney stone. A CT scan confirmed the diagnosis and also had some incidental findings: a noncalcified pulmonary nodule 1.5cm in the left lower lobe and sclerotic lesion within L2 and focal sclerosis in the left ilium, that are “worrisome” for Mets. How can a stage 1, IDC, HR/PR positive, HER negative (no nodes) end up with reading like this just 2 yrs out from initial diagnosi? I see my MO Monday for next steps and imagine a PET may be ordered. What do you all see for treatment with MBC?

That awful pain of a kidney stone (and it was awful) may have been a blessing in disguise

Thanks

jcp

Flnative, I also live in Florida but not a native but close. What city are you in? I'm near Jax. I will pray for you tonight definitely. Just got my results and so far nothing suspicious. I do have three rib fractures that I cant account for though. Praying, JCP

jcp

From JCP got results and it is a benign calcified granuloma that is stable. I have been thanking God for that and for all those that prayed! They found a small hiatal hernia and three fractured ribs that I cant account for! I'll be praying for all of you, JCP

BevJen

jcp,

I am so sorry that I missed your question to me in mid May- I haven't been on this thread for a while. But great that you got results. The hiatal hernia might give you some acid reflux (that's what happened to me) but it's not cancer related. The fractures could be related to an upper respiratory event at some point where you did a lot of coughing?

Unfortunately, if you have a history of cancer, they will check out every little thing. Good news.

Flo80

Hi JCP Susan I am so happy that it’s benign. You are always in my thoughts. Wishing you good health and happiness always.

Regards Flora

Flnative

I am just north of Tampa.
PET scan showed malignancy just not sure yet if mets, or perhaps, a new primary (never know). My bones looked good on the PET, so some hope there. I see oncologist tomorrow and will seek a referral to Moffitt for a second opinion.

phet7178

Hi everyone - I'm sorry I disappeared! I had a few dark days where I was feeling very low. I then spoke to my oncologist and she said she had her 'BC specialist' radiologist look at my lung CT and that radiologist wasn't worried at all, insisted it's a slightly enlarged intra-pulmonary node and she's not worried. My onc is going to re-scan me in 6 months for reassurance. I felt immediately better, she was so reassuring (on the phone because of coronavirus shielding!) Apparently my inflammation marker was very slightly up as well which she said confirms her theory it's a slight infection.

Now it's been a bit of time I've stupidly let myself start to worry again - I won't feel better until the 6 month scan. But I'm also terrified to have the 6 month scan when it comes around. I hate this worry!

Whatjusthappened

phet7178, I have a similar node that showed up on CT scan last year. It apparently has been there a long time since it showed up on calcium score CT I had done years ago (radiologist pulled it up for comparison). I had a six month follow up CT scan this year and it remained unchanged, so the plan from my pulmonologist is yearly CT scans to watch it. It is in the same general area that my BC was in, which freaks me out just a little but could be coincidental. I have pulmonary fibrosis in that area from the radiation as well.

I understand your worry, but pulmonary nodules are really common. If it's still there in six months I'm sure your MO will continue to follow it, which is about the best you can do for now.

SummerAngel

Just to chime in that I, too, have a pulmonary nodule. When it was found they were pretty sure it was nothing and it hasn't changed since so I guess it is nothing! I seem to have a lot of little things like that in my body, whenever I have a scan or test of any kind they seem to find something. I have a polyp in my gall bladder, a polyp on my cervix (which was removed), a lipoma on my arm, an angiomyolipoma in my kidney, a collagenoma on my shoulder, permanently enlarged lymph nodes in my neck, and some kind of unidentified bump on the roof of my mouth that also hasn't changed in years. I don't get too worried now when I find bumps, everything except the breast cancer has been benign!

AliceBastable

Flnative

I had a PET scan last year for a different cancer, and it showed an area that needed to be biopsied. It turned out to just be scar tissue forming in the area where I had surgery. PET scans don't diagnose cancer, they show areas of concern that need to be biopsied.

blah333

I got a CT scan to check on a bump/csyt like area on my chest wall, it was also scary to read I have a nodule on my lung. Supposedly many people do! And they only find them when scanning for other things.

KBeee

phet7178...great news!

Flnative: Hoping you get answers and a plan soon. Sorry you are dealing with this.