Lung nodules....anyone else?

Peace,

I haven't had that, but others here have. I would ask your oncologist if it would be prudent to scan again in six months to see what's going on. I'm not sure what seeing a Pulmonologist would accomplish right now since the spots are too small to biopsy. I've heard a lot of stories here about others with benign lung nodules. Hopefully they can help you sort through it. I hope it all turns out okay for you.

Hugs

Bobbie

I have had one.  Never lit up on a PET but was seen on other tests and mine was too small to biopsy also.  As a BC pt we get scanned and tested more than the average person so, things are found more often.  It's a good thing but also causes fear and worry when it might be nothing.  Mine have never turned out to be anything and we just watch them.  Congrats on moving on with tx and let us know how it goes.

I had several small nodules show up on my CT scan before my surgery. I was referred to a Pulmonologist and had a bronchoscopy.  They found that I had a form of bacteria that can be caused by the environment.  They will continue to ck it every 3 mos.

I have 2 very small ones that were seen on my original scans before I started Chemo and after chemo they ran more scans that showed the nodules unchanged... I had a PCR to chemo so the thought is the nodules would have also went away... The plan is to get them scanned yearly now but my MO is confident that its not cancer but scar tissue from a virus. Still worrisome..but I have so much trust and respect for my team of Dr's... That I choose to put the worry behind me (for now)

I had a couple lung nodules show up on my CT after my MX. They said it looked like post infection stuff and I will be rechecked in a couple of months. I have had upper respiratory issues since childhood. I am hoping none of it is related to the BC and is just me being me. My ONC does not seem concerned so I am just trying to follow her lead.

I have no personal experience, since the bc diagnosis is my mothers, not mine. Still, I am a med student, with a tiiiiny bit of knowledge (and you can totally ignore my thoughts, since I could be an idiot)…anyway!...the thing that worries me with what you said is the disappearance factor, aka you said that there was a response in these lit areas during/after chemo. That is not normal when it comes to stripes or nodules made by pulmonary bronchitic diseases (or residues of them). Any way you look at it – you should monitor it all closely, since it is a risk factor.

I feel the need to stress that you should keep an eye on it. I am sorry to barge in with all these positive responses, so I will also add that – it could still be nothing. Or some kind of autoimmune problem that was taken down a notch with your chemo.

All in all – I hope all is well, and that the lumps are cancer free. *hugz*

Peace. Hope you are recovering ok. The drains are really the worst part! Don't make the same mistake I did and get them out too soon!!!

Not sure if you saw my pm that I sent you on my follow up ct scan but my nodule turned out to be a begin granuloma. I still need to be followed every 6 months but it just goes to show that not every little bump and spot is cancer. Take care.

I am now 2 1/2 years post diagnosis. The nodules on my diagnostic CT were stable, and have continued to be reported as stable, stable, stable. But I just pulled them all out and looked them over, and I am wondering at the radiologist's definition of "stable". One clump of nodules, originally measuring 8x4mm are now described as "spiculated non-calcified pulmonary nodules" the largest measuring 13x6mm. Just how can this be described as "stable"? I know my Oncologist sees only the final "stable" and hasn't noticed the increasing size or change in description. I am a bit non-plussed here, clearly to me these nodules are now growing. Where do I go from here? when are they large enough to be biopsied safely? what new challenges in treatment might I be facing? And, how soon do I need to have the sewing room cleaned up??? I am finally feeling so good, kind of disappointing to see I once again need to get in there and push to figure out where to jump next. And so much for stable, everything was fine for about 18 months.....yet if I listened to the radiologists, I would still be thinking everything is just fine, when it might not be......... You must be your own advocate, and do your own reviews.

LindaF-  #1 leave your sewing room alone-  it is so funny that I am in a similar situation and have posted 3 sewing machines on. Craigs List. Not sure why but could use the cash and get so upset when I mess up on sewing that I know used to be better. Neuropathy has taken over my right hand fingers. 

My MO also does not level w/me either. He claims my treatment would be no different if a biopy is done. He blows me of when I mention seeing a  pulmonary specialist. My left lung has a 1cm nodule upper and after Rads to the clavicle area finished , the repeat CT now shows irregularities on the right lung too. I am 66 so it makes me feel like they wrote me off.

I have such a hard time tolerating the hormone blockers I may have to quit. My next CT is not until January. I have to get my PCP for any specialist referral. If you want a brochoscopy I would push for one.

Aryas

I too had a good cry after my follow up ct scan for my. Thank goodness the Dr called me the next day to say it was exactly the same. I am sure yours will be the same, these things are so common. Let us know what happens. 

Hugs

Hi peacestrength,

Then I'm reading my baseline 2009 CT that says "the lung parenchyma demonstrates punctate subpleural nodule in the left upper lobe. No other pulmonary nodules or infiltrates are seen".....Then on a 2010 restaging CT chest scan it mentions "there is a relatively stable indeterminate nodule involving the supeior segment of the left lower lobe, measuring 3 mm in transverse dimension."Continued follow-up is recommended. Questionable subpleural nodule is also again see involving teh left upper lobe without change."

So I my onc sent me for a follow up CT 2 weeks ago and I will be seeing him again after next week to discuss scan.  I'm extremely nervous about it and don't know if there are any changes since my last 2 scans.  I'm wondering if nodules remain or if they disappear. 

Oceana

Well, my oncologist is gone until Monday.  I saw my test results.  The prexisting nodules are "stable" but there seem to be new "opacities" and it looks like some new "tiny" nodules.  Cr@p!

I am already scheduled to see my oncologist next week and it looks like they referred me to a pulmonologist (sp?)as well.

I feel ok today.  

But it looks like I might be in for another ride.

I finally heard from my surgeon who said she spoke with my oncologist who said that my ct scan did NOT look like metastasis.

I did have radiation so I think the new stuff might be from that.  I am seeing my oncologist and my radiooncologist this week.  So will hopefully find out more.

This has been a rough week.  Thanks for all the support.