Anyone thought sm lung nodule is nothing but turned to be mets?

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Artista928
Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
edited March 2018 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

So I'm reading all over the place how lung nodules are common, no worries and such. I was wondering if there is anyone who everything else looked fine except for this small lung nodule that turned to be mets? Not trying to jinx myself but it seems rather amazing that it's that high of a stat.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited February 2016

    http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/805296_4

    Artista, this is an interesting article on lung nodules and scanning. The PET/CT combined is scan of choice and article walks through the management of them.

    hope this helps a bit.

    I too have small nodule, 3.6mm, suv 3.8. They suspect its nothing. Will be watched. I didn't have lymph node involvement and likelihood of an issue is small.

    I hope you're doctors are watching you closely and that you feel comfortable with your care. If not, you should get a second opine.

    Keep us posted.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited February 2016

    Thanks for the article. My MO thinks it's nothing but intends on watching it. Good luck to you too! :)

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  • Maggs09
    Maggs09 Member Posts: 193
    edited February 2016

    Artista, I actually had exactly opposite experience with lung nodules. There were a few of them, but too small to biopsy, so they recommended "watching" ... That was nerve wrecking, so since I was dx with 2 malignancies just a year before, I was worried out of my mind. I asked to be referred to a thoracic surgeon and ended up having an open thoratocomy, with 8 wedges resection. However when pathology report came back, it confirmed that all removed nodules were benign, no malignancy.

    That was in May 2013, just 1 year after being dx with stage 3C bc and stage 2a colon cancer;

    I hope that helps😊

    Maggs


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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited February 2016

    Maggs - wonderful news!!

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited February 2016

    Yes, great news Maggs!

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  • Mimilea
    Mimilea Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2016

    Artists, I had bc right side idc and dcis . June found module lower right lobe ,mri scheduled this wk see if it's grown.. scared to death it's Mets

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2016

    I have had a 3 x 2 cm nodule (opacity) that docs have followed for about six years out from DX. I've gotten chest CT scans about every six months and the latest one in October last fall shows some growth, but I have no idea how much growth. I am scared too, that it will be something other than benign. I have no real "symptoms:" of lung cancer but they say nodules usually don't bother us or we even know they exist. Originally the doc thought the nodule was from an "old" infection such as a virus but am reading too much lately about the bigger ones over 3 cm are more likely to be malignant. I guess the only way to confirm anything is another dose of radiation from a PET scan !!

    Nodules can occur from chemotherapy, radiation, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. Wish me luck at my pulmonologist this month !!

    Shelly

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited March 2016

    Thoughts & prayers your way, Shelly. I had none of what you listed when it was found. Chest Xray clear in June before sx and sometime between that and 10/13 scan day--- this small one pops up. But hold on to how everyone says majority of the cases it's nothing. As my MO says, I'm not worried unless there is reason to and so far, there isn't.

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  • thrifty1
    thrifty1 Member Posts: 67
    edited March 2016

    I had my 1st CT scan 2 months ago, showed 1 small lung nodule, I went back last week for followup CT scan and now there is 7 small (bilateral) nodules. He says they are all stable but why didn't the 1st radiologist pick the other 6 up? Also this scan showed (stable) prominent subcentimeter mediastinal lymph nodes. That wasn't on the 1st scan. Should I be concerned? And does anyone know the difference between "pleural-based lung nodules" and just regular lung nodules? Wasn't sure what they mean by "pleural based". I'm thinking its just a location? He wants to do another CT scan in 3 months and compare. Seems like a long wait :(

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  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited March 2016

    I was diagnosed on 12/17/2015 with stage 3 TNIBC with IDC, grade 3. I had scans the 1st week of Jan. and 2 little nodules showed up on the PET scan. When I went for a follow up appt. with my MO, he told me that the nodules were more than likely malignant due to the aggressive type of cancer I have. They biopsied one of the nodules and the nodule turned out to be malignant and this took me to stage 4. I was given this news on 01/08/2016 and I started chemo on 01/11/2016. I have a CT scan on 03/22 and I am praying their is shrinkage. I feel good mentally and physically. My IBC looks 80% better and my golf size tumor feels like the size of a pea. I am hoping they tell me my lung nodule tumors have shrunk.  

    I have not had any wheezing, shortness of breath, or a cough.  

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  • thrifty1
    thrifty1 Member Posts: 67
    edited March 2016

    Praying Geeper that your lung nodules have shrunk as well!! I too am almost triple negative. (ER only 2%, PR neg and Her2 neg). So my onc is watching carefully at my nodules. He said they are too small to biopsy right now. How big was the nodule they biopsied on you? As we know, TN is aggressive and likes to spread, I hate the thought of having to wait 3 more months to see if any of the 7 nodules have grown :( So glad you are feeling good mentally and physically! That speaks wonders!

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  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited March 2016

    thrifty1: Thank you for the prayers. I don't  know what "pleural based" means, I wish I was able to address this for you.My pathology read: ER: 19%PR: 0%Ki-67: 51%HER2/neu: 1+ (not overexpressed). My ER is 19% and my MO said that I was considered triple negative. 

    Praying that your nodules are stable and benign.

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  • thrifty1
    thrifty1 Member Posts: 67
    edited March 2016

    How big was your lung nodule when they did biopsy? Mine are only .5 cm and he said too small to biopsy.

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited March 2016

    thrifty: Keeping you in my thoughts as I know the unknown is so scary. I wish my MO was a little more proactive about determining what's on my CT. Had a chest CTshortly after dx because there was debate about the size of the cancer. Found a 1 cm nodule in right lung, two "lesions" in my lower left lobe that "cannot be ruled out as metastases" and the radiologist recommends further review, and a mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes that are enlarged and round. My MO shrugged and said he didn't think they were anything, but we'd know they were mets if, at the end of my chemo, they're gone. I understand not wanting to do unecessary surgery or scans, but I guess I'd just like to know.

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  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited March 2016

    Trifty- Both of my lung nodules are 1cm. Sometimes these nodules can be benign and maybe built up scar tissue. I am glad to know your MO is closely monitoring theses nodules.

    NancyHB- Keeping both you and Trifty in my thoughts. The unknown is scary. I go down the dark side, whenever I feel a different body pain and start stressing. I try my best to keep occupied and remain positive.

    Sending both of you big hugs.

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  • thrifty1
    thrifty1 Member Posts: 67
    edited March 2016

    NancyHB, I'm sorry you are fighting the same "unknown" battle. Sometimes not knowing the whole picture drives you nuts. But like Geeper said, we have to keep our minds busy and remember who is in control. Just frustrating! I will be praying for you!

    Geeper , ok thanks, yours were bigger than mine that why they could biopsy yours. I'm praying mine are just spots from an infection or sickness but makes me nervous 1st scan showed only 1 and 2nd scan now shows 7. I get my tumor marker results back in a few days, if they are rising I may get 2nd opinion. Don't want to wait 3 months to see how many more spots show up or growing. Praying for you too!! And thank you for the words of encouragement :)

    Sueersis thank you for your reply! Very informative!! Prayers your way too:)

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited April 2016

    CT scan today on my little buddy! :O I guess it's better that it's in the right lung, my non-cancer side. I had micromets in a sentinel node so I'm thinking it sounds better than being on the same side as where the cancer was. Will be a long wait for result though, 4/18 is when I see MO next.

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  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited April 2016

    Hi Artists,

    Praying for great results. I had a CT scan about a week ago and saw my oncologist yesterday and my chemo is working. Over 50% shrinkage of lymph nodes, lung nodules and breast mass. I am hoping that the next time I have scans I will show no evidence of disease.

    Best of wishes to you.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited April 2016

    Thanks Geeper. Happy to hear chemo is working. Here's to NED for you soon!

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  • Geeper
    Geeper Member Posts: 164
    edited April 2016

    Thanks Artists! Please keep us posted on your results.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited April 2016

    Haven't seen my MO yet but saw my CT scan result in my online chart. Basically unchanged since before chemo, about the same size and stable. So that's good. How often do you get monitored when it comes back stable?

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

    Hi Artista, I think they rule out bc as the cause of the small nodules by monitoring for two years since the first CT if there are no changes and no new nodules appear. That being said, there are different types of nodules and some will be monitored longer b/c they might indicate something else.

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  • thrifty1
    thrifty1 Member Posts: 67
    edited April 2016

    Artista, so glad to hear they are stable! I go every 3 months for follow up scan. If still stable then it's every 6 months.

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  • PurpleMinion
    PurpleMinion Member Posts: 165
    edited April 2016

    I have new lung nodules and will do a follow up CT on the 20th (watching and waiting but only 30 days since last CT because I am TNIBC too) so I am with you all in this unhappy little boat. Mine are too small to biopsy but there are new ones and the ones I've had have increased slightly in size. Ugh.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited April 2016

    I just read my CT report from Oct 2015 and the one from April 1..

    Here's Oct:

    Small 6 mm pulmonary nodule in the posterior segment of the right
    upper lobe.

    Here's last week's:

    There is a stable small 5.7 mm nodule in the right lower lobe
    which is unchanged since the previous examination.

    So.........typo? Or Oct's disappeared and this one popped up. (upper vs lower) I guess I'll find out on the 18th when I'm sure my MO will ask to re-review the films.

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  • sharethehope
    sharethehope Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    Maggs09

    I too have bronc nodules that were biopsied & neg cancer. They were granulomatous inflammation actually from chemo I understand.  My current onc referrers to them as med cancer even though they get smaller & smaller. Do you still have your nodules & if so what does your onc say about them? I don't understand the med cancer if they tested neg cancer except that this onc says once cancer meds you have it everywhere even if it doesn't show.  That may be true but I get tired of hearing about it.  So according to this onc people who think they are ned aren't the cancer just doesn't show up. Sometimes I just llike to get a very lg. bottle of wine & just keep drinking.

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  • Bright55
    Bright55 Member Posts: 176
    edited January 2017

    hi good to follow up

    YES

    For me the 7mm nodule progressed from the past years scan ....the protocol was less than 1cm watch and test..... next scan 1year

    It progessed and was in both lungs at followup

    Biopsy was met bc hormone postive so on leterzole.

    As you have had bc .....this is the importance of requesting biospy asap if site is accessable

    Good luck


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  • pinkninja9560
    pinkninja9560 Member Posts: 238
    edited February 2017

    I thought I posted but it's not here. haven't been on here in a while so bear with me if it comes up twice :(

    I was sick after Christmas with the crud and finally got rid of it. I've had a cough since, it got better for while then came back with a vengeance last week. I finally went to the urgent care yesterday and he told me I had bronchitis. They took blood tests to make sure it wasn't bacterial and my white blood cell count was fine so they said it was viral and gave me steroids and cough meds. They took an xray as well and the radiologist called me later in the afternoon to tell me I had several nodules in both lungs under 2 cm. He told me to follow up with my regular dr and get a cat scan. Of course I'm freaking out! I was ned after my double mastectomy and clear lymph nodes in December 2014. The thing that worries me is that I was having and still have bad rib pain since November. I had a chest xray back then because my ribs were very swollen on one side and hurt. The report said my lungs were clear, no nodules, no nothing. They said I had costcochondritis, inflamed ribs.

    I am out of town for 2 weeks but called my oncologist yesterday and talked to the nurse. She told me to fax in both reports and she'll let me know what she wants me to do. I just the copy of the report from November so I'll be sending them over in the morning.

    Any advise? should I be worried? I've had lots of back, collarbone and back pain that seems to be getting worse. I just attributed it to all the coughing but not sure now. after I thought about it, I've had the back pain for while, not in my spine but the sides. I felt like a knife was stabbing me in the back. I had a bone scan almost 2 years ago and no mets to bones. help!


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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited February 2017

    Lung nodules are common, but they will need to check them to see if they are suspicious or not. Sorry you are dealing with this. Let us know how things go

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  • pinkninja9560
    pinkninja9560 Member Posts: 238
    edited February 2017

    thanks, I'm scheduled for cat scan and pet scan Tuesday

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