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Several 6mm nodules found in both upper lobes...
Last year in July I had a persistent cough . Several rounds of steroids and antibiotics and was still there .. Finally they did cheat x-ray , MRI and then smaller dose CT.. Findings were several nodules in both lungs .. in the right lung findings were 6mm pulmonary nodule in upper RT lobe adjacent to spine. then lateraly in RT upper lobe a 5mm pulmonary nodule . In the medial aspect RT middle lobe is a non calcified 6mmnear helium. A 4mm subplueral nodule in the superior segment of the right lower. . In the posterior Left upper lobe is a pulmonary node @4mm posterior segment . Perifissural nodules are seen along the left major fissure measuring up to 4mm. Subplueral nodule superior segment left lower lobe @3mm.. My father had lung cancer at the age of 57. Suggested to wait 6 months for another small dose CT scan which would be in March but now all of a sudden I've been experiencing chest pains also pain in shoulder .. Worsens when deep breathe or sneezing etc . Thoughts ? Is this normal to have so many show up on a scan ? I was shocked .. thank you in advance
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Hi @leah4122 I'm sure you're worried especially since your dad had lung cancer at an early age. I'm sure there are lots of different things they can be. Almost 20 years ago, I had a CT for chronic bronchitis and 50+ nodules were found scattered across both lungs (notice I'm still here enjoying life). 20 various specialists all guessed wrong for the next 12 years, everything from metastatic cancer to something left behind from a viral illness and many other guesses.
They could finally do a needle biospy on the largest tumor in 2020 as they were slowly growing. They turned out to be neuroendocrine lung cancer (typical carcinoids) which is a rare slow growing lung cancer and the reason I had so many nodules is because I have an even rarer neuroendocrine lung condition called DIPNECH -- only 300 documented cases to date, but they believe it is underdiagnosed. Most specialists haven't even heard of it including lung specialists. I had a chronic cough, shortness of breath, etc. for 30 years straight that was misdiagnosed as GERD, asthma, bronchitis, etc. Steroids, antibiotics and inhalers never helped. By the way, my brother died at 48 from non-small cell lung cancer (never smoked a day in his life) and that is not related to my type of cancer. So what you have may not be related to your dad's cancer.
I've been taking octreotide injections for 4 years now that has been life changing in taking away that chronic cough. It also slows tumor growth. Don't let your fear take over, be sure to ask the doctors to consider lung NETs and DIPNECH as possibilities and definitely have that follow-up scan in 6 months. There is plenty of hope that the specialists will figure this out and it will be treatable or even just an ongoing watch and wait situation. If your local doctors can't figure it out, try Mayo or your nearest university hospital. I hope this message brings you a little peace. Prayers for you, Zebra
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3 ReactionsI too have nets and dipnech. I had surgery to remove my right middle lobe in 2018 due to numerous nodules which were large. Just last year I had my top right lobe removed due to the same problem. I am 75 and still enjoying life even tho I've not a lot of lung capacity now. Our bodies are stronger than we give them credit for, we too need to be strong. Best of luck
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2 ReactionsHi Leah, I've had shoulder pain for a number of months. When I saw the doctor, after examination, he didn't know what was causing it so sent me for a chest x-ray to see if something else eg lung cancer was causing it. I can't comment on the other things you've mentioned, but as you know you have nodules, and are now experiencing shoulder pain, I would definitely get it checked out with your care practitioner as it could be connected. Hope that helps.
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2 ReactionsPlease know that 85-90% of nodules are benign. They have environmental causes or appear as a response to viruses and bacterial infections or conditions like asthma.
That said, I would call my doctor and ask to the scan to a 6 month schedule. Each of the nodules mentioned in the report is far too small to biopsy accurately and you would likely have a false negative. Having the CT will provide new information on growth or shape though and guide further decisions on wait time.
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1 ReactionTo add to my lung NETs/DIPNECH story, most of my 50+ lung nodules were 1 cm or less when first seen. I refused an open biopsy. 12 years later the largest one was 2.6 cm so I agreed to the needle biopsy they could now do. That tumor was destroyed using non-surgical microwave ablation. I will likely have more ablations for any that reach 2 cm or behave differently from the others. After decades of issues nothing has spread outside my lungs.
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1 ReactionZebra, where did you have the ablation performed? I notice your username states you're in California and I'm in California as well. I've had several lung nodules treated with radiation and my radiologist has informed me she doesn't feel it's safe to continue to radiate any more. I'm seen at UCSF and my oncologist doesn't seem to feel that ablation is helpful or knows much about it. I have what looks like another nodule becoming malignant and I think I'm going to investigate ablation this time.
Welcome to Mayo Connect @leah4122 . It's not unusual to wait and rescan for nodules that are smaller than 1 cm. As others have noted, nodules are usually not cancer. The number of nodules noted on your reports is unusual and something that should be tracked.
If I had additional symptoms that you are describing, I would call the doctor's office and ask for an earlier appointment. What type of doctor have you seen, a pulmonologist?
@dougmck
I’m being treated at UCLA. I’ll send you a private message tomorrow.