Missed lung nodule

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I just found out today, that a scan I had 4/19,showed a 7 mm ground glass partial solid lung nodule. I was supposed to have a follow up in 6 months. I was never told. I'm trying not to panic I have a CT scheduled for Tuesday. Can anyone have a similar nodule? Any advice or information?


Comments

  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited December 2020

    You aren't too far out of the 6 month zone. I would say if they were really concerned that they would have suggested a rescan at 3 months not 6 so try not to worry (I know hard to do) about it. Lung nodules can happen for many reasons. It might not even be there when they scan on Tuesday. It's only a concern if has grown with some significance that would be outside the margin of measuring error.

    I hope your scan comes back fast and is stable!

  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited December 2020

    Lung nodules are often found incidentally on scans. They often are benign processes. I had a CT scan several years ago as a screening due to scleroderma lung issues. There was one nearly 1 cm and one much smaller nodule found along with small scattered ground glass. The latter was believed due to past horrific bronchial infections I used to get. They re-scanned about 8 months later (6 was recommended) - no change and so no worries. If you put lung nodules in the search box you will see many of these stories... Of course I cannot say these are never a problem, they just often aren't for most.... I wish you the best with this and please check back in....!

  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited December 2020

    My oncologist told be that most people pick up lung crud over the years but we don't know about it until we start getting scans for other things. I have some nodules and she said I just need a CT scan once a year to make sure it's not growing, but it's not something to worry about otherwise. I have to get scans for something else on a regular basis, so we'll just piggyback onto one of those.

  • Krose53
    Krose53 Member Posts: 148
    edited December 2020

    Thank you everyone for the kind and informative responses. My oncologist also reassured me. Hopefully, all will be clear on my scan Tuesday.

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited December 2020

    My twin had 3 "spots" on her lung that were being watched (we are former smokers). After 3 years, with no change, they told her to stop showing up.

    May it be the same for you!

  • Krose53
    Krose53 Member Posts: 148
    edited December 2020

    I received my scan results today for the lung nodule that they never informed me of 20 months ago. Thankfully it has remained stable at 7mm and follow up in 12 months is recommended. A huge relief. Thanks to everyone for your reassurance.

  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited December 2020

    Great news! So glad you had a good scan! Thanks for letting us know!!!

  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited December 2020

    If it's that small, it might not have shown up 20 months ago. It's great that it's stable now, but at some point it had to develop and it's quite possible it was too tiny to pick up almost two years ago.

  • Krose53
    Krose53 Member Posts: 148
    edited December 2020

    Hi Alice, it was picked up 20 months ago on a CT and was recommended for a 6 month repeat scan. The problem was no one told me. I recently got a new internal medicine doctor because mine had retired. My new doctor wanted a get to know you phone visit. During the phone call she asked why I had never followed up on the lung nodule. I told her I was never informed I had one. I then emailed by oncologist and she ordered a lung CT. Very relieved it's stable.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2020

    great news Krose53.

    Happy for you.

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