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7 mm spiculated groundglass nodule?
Just read test results of neck CT (ordered by ENT dr. due to feeling of pressure in throat). The radiology report noted a 7mm spiculated groundglass nodule. I am WORRIED. I sent results to my GP and have an appointment with him today. He has sometimes looked at my concerns as "anxiety" hopefully not this time. Prior blood work showed high blood calcium levels (though the latest was in normal range). I under high calcium levels can indicate cancer. What are best next steps? Do I need a full chest/lung CT; a PET Scan, biopsy? Do I need an oncologist, a pulmonologist? I quit smoking decades ago (am 64), but have smoked pot, lived in a home with an asbestos floor. I am frightened, ashamed and essentially on my own. Any suggestions as to how to proceed would be very much appreciated.
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Welcome to Mayo Connect @kim83. It's perfectly normal to be scared. I'm glad you are able to get in to see your primary care doctor today. He should have some guidance on what next steps to take. The nodule is in your neck, correct? Let him know that you are concerned about lung cancer, and he'll likely get you a chest x-ray or CT. That's a good next step.
Take a step back, and focus on what you know, rather than jumping ahead and focusing on what might happen. There's no need to feel ashamed or guilty, there's no room for that with everything else running through your head. What did your GP recommend? Are they able to get you in for an additional scan?
You are smart to read your reports and follow up. I did and it saved me from losing time, and I obtained superior treatment.
In my case I was sent to Urgent Care for x-ray because my primary not available and I had symptoms (shortness of breath). When they said my chest x-ray was abnormal, I went directly to a Pulmonologist and not back to my Primary (I have Traditional Medicare and can self-refer). Local Pulmonologist ordered a CT scan (which described nodules), and it recommended a PET scan. Reading the results I transferred to Mayo Clinic ....because Specialists have sub specialties. You want to find the one experienced in your particular problem.
Your GP may be attentive, but they do not have the depth of knowledge.
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1 ReactionWhat did you learn at the appointment?
@kim83, Was the GP able to get you a chest scan? Or what did they recommend?
My GP was the one who got me started with all tests & the direction to go, like the scan of lungs which caught the nodule, then to the CT scans, PET, then to the correct doctors.
Hi @kim83, I'm just checking on you. Did you learn any more through your appointments? Have they identified the source of the neck nodule?