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RUL nodule of 4mm, 6 months later it was 9mm and speculated.
Lung Health | Last Active: Aug 25 4:29pm | Replies (12)Comment receiving replies
Hi @mmga, The PET scan may not provide the conclusive answer that you are looking for at this point. PET scans will show metabolic activity of cancer, but they also show activity of infection or inflammation. I've had both cancer and inflammation show as active on a PET scan. Small cancerous nodules may not always have a high uptake value and may appear similar to infection or inflammation. Knowing that the nodule on the left has resolved, tells us that there is something that your body was fighting.
Radiologists often add notes to their reports indicating recommendations. Sometimes they may do that to cover their own liability and to get the attention of the ordering provider. Remember that radiologists don't treat cancer. Pulmonologists and oncologists are much better at recommending next steps.
I do like that you continue to ask questions of your providers. Wanting answers shows that you are involved in your own care. If you don't get the PET, are you comfortable with waiting a year for another CT, or are you wanting to scan in another 6 months?
Replies to "Hi @mmga, The PET scan may not provide the conclusive answer that you are looking for..."
Thank you again for explaining in detail how infections inflammation can also appear to be cancer and vice versa. I need to be more patient. 🫣.
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You have given me more information in your reply than my pulmonologist has given me in the last two appointments. Thank you! I wasn’t expecting anything to show up on my CT scan, I am the one who requested the low dose screening every year, and they were all negative, minus some scaring from pneumonia, and very mild COPD. I was also the one who requested a regular CT because I have felt so bad for so Long, I felt like the COPD must be a lot worse, which it wasn’t, 🙏. My pulmonologist was fine with doing another one 6 months after my last one. (Previous one showed scaring as well but a 4mm nodule. ) When the pulmonologist’s report from the CT scan said there were nodules on both lungs, the 4mm was now 9mm in 6 months. He said “first choice would be, do a pet scan and or biopsy but they are too small to biopsy and Pet scan wouldn’t show much at this stage.” Radiology report I was finally able to read, after many phone calls to pulmonologist office, took me a month to get a copy! That report showed larger nodules (but still small) and margins were spiculated on the right. Final impression “recommend pet scan” . I understand now from others on here and from you , PET scan wouldn’t be helpful at this point.
While pulmonologist has yet to address speculated nodule . So you can see why I felt like it was up to me to take some control. Healthcare isn’t what it use to be.