8 mm lung nodule possible malignancy: What should I do?

So, it’s the steroids that do that?

Hi JS (@jstarkman). Remember that you posted this question on the Lung Cancer group, so you are seeing responses from people with cancerous nodules. Most nodules are not cancerous. The final pathology has come back for my latest nodule and it is fungal, not cancer.
Having a bronchoscopy does come with risks, and the pulmonologist will be able to help answer any specific questions that you may have. The location of the nodule can make it fairly easy or extremely difficult to biopsy via a bronchoscopy. My original nodules were deep in the lung, and were never biopsied via bronchoscopy, but this recent nodule was barely inside the lung so it was easily accessible. A rescan in three months doesn't seem unreasonable to me, but a pulmonology consult never hurts.

Depending on the corticosteroids used, you might have wild emotional swings. I had a course of big dose steroids with a back injury in the mid 80’s and I was laughing out loud, crying like my puppy had died, and everything in between.

Hi jstarkman- I totally understand the place that you are in right now. First, take a deep breath, Second, are you near a Mayo Clinic or a Specialty place like it? You can always ask for a second opinion. That is what I would do. I never had a biopsy until after my surgery I had a nodule in my left upper lung that took 9 years to grow from ground glass to Adenocarcinoma. I was lucky because it was so slow growing but I was unlucky because I never got told about it being there. Long story. Anyway my Dr sent me for a PET scan after he saw that it had changed and I went straight to Mayo. Then Mayo decided the order in which they would do things. Pulmonologist first. Compared CT scans, because of shape and size and his experience he knew it was cancer without a biopsy. Set me up to talk to Thoracic Surgeon. I asked about radiation they said best to cut it out. Had a Bronchoscopy done, no lymph nodes involved. Had a PET scan, nodule barely lit. Had not spread anywhere else. Had segmentectomy (partial lobe removed). Clear margins and none of the numerous lymph nodes removed were cancerous. They said they caught it early, and I am so Thankful I didn’t wait to do the lung screening. That’s what caught it. I tell you my story because I have read where others have waited and it had spread. Please get a Second or even Third opinion. Be comfortable with what and which doctor you choose. It has to make sense to you. Stay OFF of Dr. Google! It’s unnecessarily horrifying! Research your questions on Mayo clinic, Cleveland clinic, or any of the . Orgs. Shy away from anything that is a .Com.
Good Luck and God bless you!
Cindy

Did your Dr have to refer you to Mayos? How long did it take for you to get your second opinion there?

Hello skm101-
After my Dr saw my CT scan he called me and said he wanted me to have a PET scan. He sent the order to our local hospital and when they called me to set up the appointment I called him and told him to send it to Mayo instead. I believe(not 100% sure) that you can go on the Mayoclinic.org website and request an appointment. They then contact you and go through what needs to be done as far as paperwork, etc. They’ll want your insurance information, your Primary doctor info, etc. It was pretty easy for me. I did have to get the release of information to my doctor so Mayo could get all of my records. I had my CT at SimonMed (local) so I had to get them a release as well. But it was still a fairly easy process. However, I work in an office so I had the email and fax capabilities, I know thats a different situation for others.
I hope this helps. Best of Luck! God Bless you and keep you near him! Cindy