Standardized uptake value (SUV) 5.4 and 4.8 mean nodules cancerous?

I suggest you wait for the biopsy. Yes those uptake values are higher than mine were - but mine was only 1.4cm and it was detected in an early stage.

The fact that there is no evidence of metastasis is awesome. It means they didn’t see similar modules elsewhere.

It is hard to have patience I know. But a Google-fueled imagination is not your friend.

Sending good Juju your way.

Thank you for your input. Did you have chemo? If so can you tell me about it? Hair loss

I did not. My tumor was stage 1 and lymph nodes had no malignancy so they took the tumor and the lobe it was in - in my case the left lower lobe. And I’m getting CT scans every six months.

I'm sorry to Borger you but I was curious when you said your lymph nodes weren't malignant, did they have anything noticed, like swelling of them or were they not affected at all? My nodule is 18mm , upper right posterior.

Sorry, bother not borger

No bother - my tumor was 14mm in left lower lobe. When the pathologist evaluates whether the tumor is malignant - and if so what type of cancer and what stage it is - the lymph nodes are routinely examined from sample tissue the surgeon harvests, because the nodes are sometimes a highway for tumor cells to move to a new location - or metastasize.
In the world of lung cancer I think it’s unlikely one would feel anything if that movement is underway. I don’t know for sure - but it not like the nodes in your groin or under your arm where you can see and feel when they are inflamed/enlarged.

I don’t know much more than you but I hope that’s helpful.

Hi @skm101, The numbers in a PET scan report do need some interpretation from your doctor. For reference, my original cancerous nodule had an uptake of 11. Over three years later I had a non-cancerous fungal nodule that had an uptake of 3 with lymph nodes in the 6-7 range. So, while the PET can point to cancer with high numbers, it isn't always a confirmation of cancer. The pathology from the biopsy will be more conclusive. They'll look at the cellular makeup of the sample. Hopefully it's something other than cancer, like my fungal nodule. You just won't know for sure until that biopsy result is back.
In the meantime, do what you can to take your mind off the what-ifs. When I'm waiting for results, I try to focus on what I know for certain, and not what my mind might want to wander off to. I know this isn't easy but try not to make it harder on yourself. We can make ourselves sicker with worry. I saw a quote the other day that I liked, "If it's out of your hands, let it out of your mind too."

Thank you. Your words are helpful. I will try to not borrow grandmas problems until they are mine. Try is all I can do

There are many things that can cause an elevated SUV. Anything from an exposure to an allergen, cleaning fumes, infection to volutile organic compounds to air pollution are only a few of the things that can cause it.

You had lots of good advice already. I can't add anymore.

Hi @skm101, if I remember correctly you had a biopsy on Thursday. Waiting for results can be difficult, try to do something that can bring you peace or joy during this time. How are you? Do you have any discomfort from the biopsy? Cough? When should you expect results?