Lung nodule

coni111852 · May 2019

It has been a while since I’ve been here, I was diagnosed with BC in 2010, finish all my treatments, on 2011, chemo, mastectomy and radiation and removed my ovaries, I’m also triple positive hormonal and HER2 plus i have the BRCA 2 gene. In2012 they found a groundglass nodule 3.5 mm, did another ct scan 2017 grew to 5mm just two days ago it grew 6.3mm. Right now I am worried, if this is cancer, I just lost my mom 7 months ago to breast cancer, it went to bones, liver and lungs. Anyone know if benign groundglass nodules grow?

vlnrph · May 2019

I’m not sure what you might have going on with the growing nodule but wanted to send condolences on losing your mother so recently. As you know, those are all common sites for spread of this nasty disease. Sounds like you are being viligant in taking action given the BRCA mutation in your family.

I have had repeat chest CT due to lung lesions that turned out to be stable, probably left overs from prior respiratory infections. Earlier this year a PET scan showed groundglass opacities for which I was checked last week and the radiologist suggested yet another follow-up in late summer...

It’s been my impression that metastasis is more likely to be multifocal (in many places) as opposed to isolated sites but these tumors are sneaky and are known to fool us by revealing themselves one at a time. Sometimes, in those cases, cure is still possible. Is the spot in question able to be biopsied? Let us know what you find out.

coni111852 · May 2019

thanks vlnrp for answering, thank you for the condolences, it has been hard. I think today it really hit me. I saw my fam doc, she spoke to radiologist that did the ct scan he said that it has grown, if it’s anything it growing very slowly. At this time they cant do a biopsy because is too small. I have to wait 6 months and see what my old oncologist says. I have to wait, to be referred to the oncologist against. It’s such a pain, just to get a hold of someone today. I hate waiting I think that’s what gets to me the most.

OTMom · May 2019

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I was told that my 7 mm nodule is too small to accurately target for a biopsy. The pulmonologist said it wouldn't even show on a PET scan until over 1 cm. The monitoring with no actual answers is pretty crazy-making. I hope you're able to get some reassurance soon.

coni111852 · May 2019

hi OTMOM yes, they told me the same no biopsy, because is too small, what worries me is the growth it is very slow but still a growth. The growth is a little bit more from th past two years than from 2012-2017. Waiting to hear from oncologist is brutal. I don’t know where you guys are but in Canada it’s a pain, just to resend the letter from the doc because send it to the wrong clinic at the hospital. I’m thinking of going back to lettozole or tamoxifen. I stopped after 4 years because I develop osteoporosis at 35.

KBeee · May 2019

Could it be from radiation damage???? I don't know. Just asking. Hoping they do not change any firther.

coni111852 · May 2019

I hope so, waiting really sucks. I’m on a roller coaster, thinking what if it s yes, than I snap myself out fo the possibility and try to stay positive. Just praying and praying.

edwards750 · May 2019

coni - so sorry about losing your mom. My mother died over 10 years ago and I miss her every day.

On the nodules - I went to a clinic several years ago because my back hurt. I thought it was from lifting my twin grandsons who were 1 at the time. They did a pneumatic test which was negative and a chest X-rays. The tech doing the xrays was incompetent to say the least. She finally managed to get the xrays done and the PA freaks out because I have a lot of lung nodules. She admitted they could be scar tissue from radiation which I had but highly recommended I go back to the cancer clinic where I had my treatments. I told her I would wait on the radiologist’s report. She said he would agree with her. He didn’t. The X-ray was normal.

So you never know. I know there are all kinds of nodules but they are very common esp if you have had radiation and I had 33 treatments.

I hope your report is good as well.

Diane

wallan · May 2019

Hugs to you and I too am so sorry to hear about your mom. You have been thru alot.

I too had lung nodules 8 years after my first BC dx. They were found on an xRay when I had a bout of bronchitis.

I had 3 of them and I was CT scanned every 3 months 2x then every 6 months for 2 years. My new family GP finally stopped the scans and told me they were likely benign.

I have had chest xrays since then, 6 years later and nothing was said about lung nodules. So, hopefully your nodule is benign too.

wallan

coni111852 · July 2019

hey ladies, thanks for the replies. So, I saw a oncologist for the lungs. They suggested surgery to remove it, only because of history and peace of mind. I’m nervous about the surgery don’t know why, I’ve had so many others, but this one it’s scary. I’ll a to get a coil place in a few days before it and stay a night in hospital. 😱 pls pray for me.

KBeee · July 2019

Praying the procedure goes well and that you get definitive answers...benign ones! When is your proceure? Do keep us updated.

coni111852 · August 2019

hello Ladies,

I did my wedge resection, with a coil localization.

The coil was awful, 10 min after the procedure my lung started to build up air, was very painful, they put a drain the entire weekend until Tuesday which was my surgery. The surgery it self, was not as bad as I had thought mainly because of the pain I experienced with the coil. He removed the nodule and two lymphnodes. He want to make sure nothing else is involved. The drain was not as bad either, I couldn’t remember from my previous surgeries how it felt. I stayed two night in the hospital, very uncomfortable because the nerve pain was bugging me. I can barely move my right hand too. They through my back close to armpit, not sure if I’m ready retaining fluids or if it’s Just swollen. I can barely touch my right breast. But I can say another milestone crossed, thank God. Just have to wait for results now.

Thanks for the support and prayers. Maybe this can help someone else.

coni111852 · August 2019

The nodules I have it's in the side where I didn't get radiation, they think it's most likely adenocarcinoma. It's very slow growing, in the past two years was growing a bit faster than before. I'm just glad it's gone, and no more cancer!! God willing!

KBeee · August 2019

Let us know when you get results. Hoping for good news! Speedy healing!

coni111852 · September 2019

hi!! Everyone result are in. It was cancer, adenocarcinoma in situ. The nodule were negative thanks God. I can’t believe it, I read my report today. I’m just so glad God guided me, all the doctors wanted to dismiss it. My old oncologist was like, oh it’s nothing, you don’t need to follow it up. They told me 95% chance of not being cancer. They said the new study indicates that ct scan are not accurate, for measurements, it’s so advanced that the size is hard to measure(didn’t make sense to me) I’m just glad I did the surgery.

Please guys push, push, be your own advocate, if you have a feeling go with that. Don’t let the doctors tell you it’s nothing. Second time, they tell me that, I’ve had this since 2011, I went back to my medical reports. Kind of makes me wonder, what’s next. Should I be getting other scans In other parts of my body.

Brightsky · September 2019

I'm so glad it was in situ. Is this a new cancer or a recurrence? It irritates me to no end the way these doctors just blow everything off. My story is this:

2015 PET/CT found TNBC left breast. Supposedly stage one but pathology after neoadjuvant chemo nd DMX showed another area suspicious for tumor. So probably 2 tumors. No one knows for sure because I had a pCR.

2015 4 months after PET/CT a CT angiogram, to rule out blood clot/PE, showed 4mm solitary lung nodule in right upper lobe. They went back and located it on PET/CT (it was missed) and since it didn't change after four months (while on chemo) they all said no big deal. It didn't grow and we see these all the time. It has not been looked at for over 4 years.

2019-June CT of abdomen for diverticulitis shows hypodense liver lesion too small to characterize.

Now I will have a CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis in SIX MONTHS. It is torture to wait so long for answers.

The only thing keeping me from going insane is the fact that I have a 17 year old daughter who is driving me crazy...it's a blessed distraction.

coni111852 · September 2019

i know, it’s very frustrating, my only advice to anyone is, you need to fight, you need to get those test done. Get copies of your reports. Keep reports of everything. If Can get a second opinion get it. I had to fight for this. They wanted to dismiss it. Now my head keeps going to my mom, what if it was not bc Mets. What if it was a second cancer, and they missed it. It was the same oncologist that told me this was nothing, was the same oncologist that kept telling my mom you don’t have lung cancer they are too small 1mm to 8mm just like mine. But she hadn’t more. Then she got then on liver and bones. Guess I’ll never know now.

Plsssss be your own advocate something doesn’t seem right get it check better same than sorry. I had three different doctors and two radiologist first one didn’t even give a good report he gave dismissed everything.

No one will fight for your life like yourself. One doctor told me well.we played our cards and we lost... (we!?) I lost!! He made the mistake and I could have died. (Breast cancer).

KBeee · September 2019

I am so glad you were such a strong advocate for yourself. My docs also dismissed my tumor when I had a recurrence. So frustrating. Hoping you have a plan in place soon. Sorry you'e dealing with this.

coni111852 · September 2019

I'm sorry Kbeee you are dealing with recurrence, I keep everyone in prayers is not an easy road, BUT we don't battle it alone.

As for my plan, I was told surgery was sufficient, but then an ex girlfriend of my brother who is a onc nurse asked me if they were doing a sensitivity test to see if this is a second cancer or breast cancer.....what gives me peace of mind, is that if it was Mets, it would have spread, and have more than one nodule since 2012, report does say 1.2cm and not 7mm like they had said.... guess I'll get the entire scoop on my follow up appointment when ever that happens.

I did want to find out or compare what's the plan for something like this. I find it's better to compare, so I can ask questions and have more knowledge going in. Don't want them cutting corners, I find that happens way too often, specially in Canada.

KBeee · September 2019

My recurrence was a while ago, but I am at high risk to recur again. Like you, I definitely educate myself, and that has saved my life, and actually saved my daughter's too (non cancer), so hopefully you get definitive answers and a concrete plan soon. I think it's wise to speak with someone who works in oncology as you did. Too often assumptions are made nad corners are cut.

Brightsky · September 2019

Coni———-> One doctor told me well.we played our cards and we lost... (we!?) I lost!! He made the mistake and I could have died. (Breast cancer).

What?!? The nerve.

I’m so sorry about your mom. My mom has breast cancer too. We were dx two weeks apart. She has ER/PR with one positive lymph node. She has multiple lung nodules. After multiple CT scan and over the last 4 years they are unchanged. I hate this sneaky disease.

coni111852 · September 2019

oh wow, I'm sorry about you and your mom. That's a hard trial to go through, hard to take care of you and her and the same for her. I'm happy to hear her nodules are unchanged. I will keep you both in my prayers. Faith can really move mountains.

It's is a sneaky disease. frankly I though it was going to be negative, for the lung. I am glad I caught it very early. Seems like adenocarcinoma are common in women, younger patients and people that have never smoked (to my surprise). You are at risk if you do or if you don't.

I'm wondering now if one person can have more than one gene mutation? I've been reading There are a few genes that can't put you at risk for lung cancer. I already have BRCA 2, can I also have the one for the lung as well?...if it turns out, I’m going to start playing the lottery. I got the worst of my parents, in a way I rather me than my siblings. At least it ends with me.

There is one good thing that came out of all this, I’ve been able to chat with you all. . Thanks for the get well wishes as well as condolences for my mom. In 4 days it will be a year since she left. It’s been trying to hit me, but I keep thinking she is in a much better place, than here. That’s all that keeps me going, and I will see her again.

acceptinglife · November 2019

Dear Coni- I just posted the following and your previous post encourages me to push for a biopsy or removal of the nodule. TY

I am a 2x TNBC survivor. 1st diagnosis right breast 32 yrs stage 2 grade 3; 2nd diagnosis - 2nd primary tumor left breast 37 stage 1 grade 3. I am now 44 years old. to check for nodule progress. A recent CT scan (trip to ER for unrelated illness) showed a 10 mm nodule on right lung, which was not there a few years ago. I realized that lung nodules are common. Normal protocol for non-breast cancer patients is to have to patient undergo a new CT scan after 3-6 months. I will see oncologist this week (referred to him by ER doc). I prefer to request an immediate biopsy. I would like to know if, in your experience, how likely the doctor is to honor my request, considering my history or if it is more likely he will suggest that I wait. Thank you in advance

coni111852 · November 2019

Hi acceptingLife.

My experience with doctors was like, oh don’t worry it’s nothing, 95% chance won’t be cancer. just leave it alone, but I wanted peace of mind. I’m glad I did it. There was one doctor who did tell me, because of cancer history it’s best to take it out. Which I feel so blessed that she was put in my path, as well as other cancer survivors who encourage me to take it out. We have gone through chemo and radiation, I didn’t want that again or why take a chance. My Nodule was growing though slowly, very slowly I had it there since 2010- 2012, and it was either 1.2 cm or 7mm the report it’s not very clear as to what was what. I did push for it though, as I said the doctors were discouraging me from having the surgery. Yes, it has been one of the hardest surgery that I have gone through, but at the end of the day I’m glad I did it. Cancer free for a second time!!

If it’s bugging you, or you feel worried or stressed, I would push, biopsy are not done, not sure if it’s the size or why, but they told me they can’t biopsy it. Right now, I have another calcified granuloma, which I’m worried because, if I recall, and if I go with medical reports that’s what I had at first then it was a ground glass. If you have any more questions I can send you my number or email. Hope this helps a bit

acceptinglife · November 2019

Dear Coni,

Thank you for you kind reply. I will definitely make sure to be assertive with my oncologist. I hope that after two primary tumors they will be more attentive. I also hope that your granuloma turns out to be nothing. Big hugs

coni111852 · November 2019

Dear acceptingLife.
you are very welcome. I feel sometimes we have to go through difficult road to sometimes help and understand others. I will pray so your oncologist has the wisdom to the right thing. Please keep me posted, get a second opinion if you have to, I had to get 4. Only you can fight for your life.

acceptinglife · November 2019

Coni-Small update: I went back to the hospital and picked up my images and report. I actually have 2 nodules in the same place 9mm & 2-3 mm. Good news is that radiologist recommended PET scan on the report since I've had a prior malignancy.

coni111852 · November 2019

AcceptingLife, that’s good. You have a good radiologist. The radiologist that did my report saw it and didn’t even recommend anything.
I forgot to mention that, I always pick my report, here they don’t give you the imagines, but it’s good to have a copy of your report. They are very small, that’s good. I’m glad they are doing a Petscan, I will have you in my prayers, praying for no more cancer. I go tomorrow for ct scan. What ever happens we will beat it. God is with us. Please keep me posted. Question how do they describe them as?

acceptinglife · November 2019

There is no description except one is 2-3 micronodule and the other is 9mm intermediate nodule. Good luck tomorrow.

Lung nodule

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