12 mm Spiculated Nodule upper right lobe

Posted by joannamountain24 @joannamountain24, Feb 19 8:38am

May 2022- they found an incidental nodule in my right upper lobe. The CT impression said 8 mm ground-glass could be a low-grade malignancy. A month later, I had another CT which said that there was no significant interval change 6 mm upper lobe pulmonary nodule.
July 2023-I had a follow up CT scan. Impression 12x7 mm slightly spiculated. Malignancy cannot be excluded. I was referred to a thoracic surgeon who also couldn’t rule out cancer and said that it would be very difficult to get a biopsy because of the location. The test could come back negative, but they wouldn’t be sure that they really got it from the right area. He recommended removing it and biopsy it. Probably a partial lobectomy but he wouldn’t know for sure till he got in there. He could end up removing the entire upper lobe. Does anyone have experience with this? I decided to wait.
February 2024--I just had another CT scan about 2 weeks ago. 1.2 x 0.7 x 0.8 cm spiculated nodule in the right upper lobe not significantly changed since July 2023 but has increased in size since May 2022. This nodule remains suspicious, and PET/CT may be considered for further evaluation.
I’m having a PET/CT scan done next week. I’m so scared about everything. Most people say, just have it removed. Is this really the best option? What will the PET/CT scan show. How long does it take to get back to “normal” after having a surgery like this? It would be a minimally invasive procedure.
Also, I’m reading that there is a much higher chance of it being malignant when it’s found in the upper lobe?

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vic83 | @vic83 | Feb 23 8:39pm

In reply to @jannam "Are you having any pain now with the nerves surrounding the tumor that was removed?" + (show)

Regarding nerve pain...the first VAT on RUL had numbness beneath breasts - like wearing a tight bra or belt. That went away after 4 months. The second VAT in May 2023 also had nerve numbness and considerable pain. There was a complication with a cracked rib. I went on Gabapentin for awhile, and that helped. Today after 9 months I still have numbness on left side/breast, sometimes a little nerve jab. But nerve pain can last up to a year...and sometimes it is permanent. What I have now is sore lungs and chest and a stiffness when I take a deep breath for both sides. That really started to develop four months ago....I had SBRT on RUL in August and developed pneumonitis. I can't say exactly what is responsible for deep breath soreness. I also have other lung issues which can cause some of those symptoms. Fortunately, soreness etc. is not unbearable.

jannam | @jannam | Feb 25 10:47am

In reply to @jannam "Are you having any pain now with the nerves surrounding the tumor that was removed?" + (show)

I am on a combination of gabapentin and Cymbalta, which manages the pain very well! I had a VATs surgery done in 2020 on each lung

joannamountain24 | @joannamountain24 | Apr 10 12:50pm

Hello again all you wonderful people.
Just a little update from my end. I did the PET/CT at the end of February and there wasn't must uptake at all: FDG uptake with SUV max of 0.94 --One of you in here had mentioned that you didn't think there was going to be and that I needed to pay attention to the size (12 mm), the spiculated part and the fact that it grew twice in size over a year.

I paid attention, thanks to this group, and went ahead with the VATS Wedge Resection last Thursday--2 days in the hospital (nodule/mass was deep in my upper right lung). Yes, it was cancer 1a2, all margins clear and all 5 lymph nodes are negative for metastasis.

If it wasn't for this group, I don't believe that I would have gathered the courage to go forward with the surgery.
I was in denial thinking: I don't feel anything, I have no symptoms, I don't see it, so it must not be there.
Thank you for all your support! I'm so thankful that it was caught this early and removed.

This nodule was an accidental finding in May 22 when I had x-ray of my heart. I'm 57 years old, a former smoker, but haven't smoked for 35 years and therefor, probably would never have qualified for the screening either.

skm101 | @skm101 | Apr 11 8:04am

So glad to hear! I have similar circumstances. Meeting with a surgeon today. Wish me luck!

joannamountain24 | @joannamountain24 | Apr 11 8:14am

Wishing you luck! Please, keep me updated. ❤️‍🩹💕

denzie | @denzie | Apr 11 11:34am

So grateful to read that you persisted. I send hope that surgery got it all and you remain cancer free for life.

Please share your experience whenever it's appropriate. Sharing your story may save lives.

babs1956 | @babs1956 | Apr 12 7:14am

I had my upper left lobe removed 7 years ago, just had a CT scan done and they found two nodules one 8mm and one 7mm going for a pet scan next friday. I've been juicing a lot of carrots, celery & ginger & lemon, I hope they don't find it to be malignant. Don't be afraid it could all be benign

vic83 | @vic83 | Apr 12 9:43am

In reply to @joannamountain24 "Hello again all you wonderful people. Just a little update from my end. I did the..." + (show)

Great news. Wishing you a smooth recovery. Take it easy like they tell you....I was driving my car a week later.

joannamountain24 | @joannamountain24 | Apr 12 9:58am

In reply to @vic83 "Great news. Wishing you a smooth recovery. Take it easy like they tell you....I was driving..." + (show)

Thank you! It has been 8 days since surgery, and I did take the car for a little drive yesterday 🙂

vic83 | @vic83 | Apr 12 10:30am

In reply to @joannamountain24 "Thank you! It has been 8 days since surgery, and I did take the car for..." + (show)

You are on your way! They told me I couldn't vacuum for a couple of weeks but I did not consider that a problem (I am being funny).
One thing you absolutely cannot forget: WALK WALK WALK, regular exercise is mandatory. MY pulmonologist gets upset if I don't exercise. And did you use the pillow for coughing up the gook? I was off all pain meds on the 7th day.