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Welcome to Mayo Connect @burdyblue. As others here have mentioned, your primary doctor is recommending a pulmonologist because they may be able to perform a biopsy. Those results should tell you if you are dealing with a benign nodule (quite common), lung cancer, or breast cancer that has spread to the lung. All of those three would be treated differently.
A PET scan will show the level of activity within the nodule, which is also helpful in determining the next steps.
Try to focus on what you know to be true, and not letting your mind wander.
Has a PET scan been ordered and scheduled?
Replies to "Welcome to Mayo Connect @burdyblue. As others here have mentioned, your primary doctor is recommending a..."
Hi again, Lisa.
My PET scan with contrast shows a 2.7 x 1.6 mass that spans 3.3 cm when accounting for a groundglass component which is how important I don't know. No cancer seems to show up elswhere in the body, so this mass looks to be a "developing second primary of pulmonary origin" it was noted in the report , so I think it indicates it's not from my previous breast cancers from a good while ago. I smoked and have mild emphysema, too. I had a breast MRI recently with nothing there. My next step is a pulmonologist who will do a recommended biopsy of the nodule or mass. My primary told me she did the referral, but the pulmonologist got no referral, so I have to bug the primary once again. A call to a multidisciplinary center at UT also says it's booked through November!
My primary says the mass is big. (??) On a former CT w/o contrast, the mass was said to be spiculated which is not good, but on this PET scan, no mention of that, only groundglass is noted. What is groundglass, please? Next step, pursue a pulmonologist and biopsy ASAP I hope. Thank you for the support.
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Thank you so much, Lisa. You are right, focus on what I know to be true. I have a PET scan July 9 and am going to talk to my primary doctor about choosing a pulmonologist who can help with a biopsy. I understand that now and appreciate the information. I got overwhelmed with anxiety. Will take it one step-at-a-time and grateful for your responses. Thank you. Burdyblue.