DCIS and lung nodules

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LlaneVa
LlaneVa Member Posts: 2
edited January 2016 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I had a 2 mm DCIS, Grade II, removed in the summertime by lumpectomy followed by radiation and have been taking Tamoxifen since November. In December, I was having chest pains and since I was new to Tamoxifen, the docs sent me to the ER to rule out a blood clot/pulmonary embolism.

I didn't have a PE but the CT scan came back with multiple lung nodules, including several small (4 mm) ones and one large one -- 1.5 cm. I am supposed to get a follow-up CT scan in three months but of course I am completely freaked out. Until the DCIS, i rarely saw a doctor, except to have annual mammograms, which I've been having since age 35 because I was high risk.

Anyone got any advice for staying calm for two more months? I never smoked and simply thought the DCIS was just a blip on the radar, so I have kind of just told my friends it was not a big deal.

But it has left this feeling of uncertainty that I've never had before and I can't even tell them I am having a difficult time with this, because I don't really like talking about my health.

I just changed PCMs, so I don't know my new one. And my oncologist seems to think that since the radiologist reading the CT scan theorized that the nodules likely were an indication of an active or inactive infection, I shouldn't worry. But everythign else about the CT report really is worriesome. Large size, irregular margins. some 'ground glass.'

I know its illogical to think that the lung nodules are related to a DCIS that has just been treated, but I'm constantly worrying that the doctors missed something somewhere else! I have no other symptoms, besides fatigue and horrible night sweats that I am chalking up to the Tamoxifen.

Driving myself completely bonkers with worry. Thanks for reading


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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited January 2016

    No advice for you, but sending good thoughts your way. Very sorry you have to have this worry going on in your life, and two months is a long time to wait.

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  • Jelson
    Jelson Member Posts: 1,535
    edited January 2016

    Annette47- Are you still experiencing chest pains? If not, perhaps the possibility that the nodules were the result of an infection - now clearing up was actually the case. If you are still experiencing chest pains, then you should see your primary again and/or ask to be referred to a pulmonologist - and bring all your scans etc. In any event, you deserve an explanation of the implications of everything on the CT report. Waiting three months might be the best strategy but you should be comfortable with that. I empathize with your panic and uncertainty - and how it differs from your emotions as you dealt with DCIS because this is a second assault on your sense of well being in a very short time. With regards to staying calm, I can only suggest focusing on the strong probability that this lung thing is not at all serious and accepting that there isn't much you can do about it for now.

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited January 2016

    I have had lung nodules too - they went away upon 6 month follow-up. They are one of the most common "incidentlomas" (things that you see when looking for something else. It is hard not to worry about these types of things - but as Annette pointed out the probability is in your favor that they are simply from previous or current infection - and this is very common.

    Best wishes.

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited January 2016

    Hi Liane, lung nodules are common. I have multiple tiny - less than 4mm nodules - discovered on the very first CT scan that was done before I started treatment. In such cases, they usually do follow up CT scans over a period of two years to make sure there are no changes.

    The one larger nodule that you mentioned is a bit more worrisome but it might be the result of recent radiation. CT scan report usually has more info about the nodules than just the size. Is it on the side where you were radiated? Is it in the radiated field? You can ask your RO about this.

    I had a few new 'nodules' or 'opacities' show up on CT scan some five months after the completion of rads but the radiologist wrote they were possibly the result of inflammation. These findings were gone on the next CT but the docs were not concerned about them to begin with - my RO even told me they expect to see inflammation in the lungs after rads.

    I would recommend you trust your radiologist and your PCP when they both recommend to just repeat the CT scan in three months.

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  • LlaneVa
    LlaneVa Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2016

    Thank you all so much for responding and for your support. Makes makes me feel so much better!

    The largest one is the one that worries me most, but it is on the same side as the DCIS/lumpectomy/radiation, so Muska, maybe you are right and it is related to it -- "inflammation or infection" was noted as possible reasons on the report. The irregular margins of the big one has me concerned but I will just try not to think about it.

    I have symptoms of fatigue, hot flashes and night sweats, which I figure is related to taking tamoxifen, but no chest pains, so I guess I will just focus on the positive, as so many fantastic folks on this web site do!

    Thanks!


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