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Possible 2 different cancers in lungs?

Posted by guyjeff123 @guyjeff123, May 2 8:29am

On 5/1/25 I had an ION CT Scan and then a Pet Scan of my lungs. On the CT Scan it showed a 6mm node that was a 5mm node 1 month ago and it also showed the 1 cm node that was new 1 month ago and unchanged now. The PET Scan showed two and possibly 3 areas that lit up. The first area was the 1cm node in my right upper lobe and the 2nd was a new 5mm node in my left upper lobe. There was one other area that my doctor showed me that looked like a cloud and in the center there was something that lit up dimly. My question is about something my Pulmonologist said. he said " We are going to do a robotic CT guided biopsy of the node in my right lobe and the one in my left lobe. He said he hoped they were the same cancer and they caught it early. The best case scenario is that both nodes are the same type of cancer, but they developed separately in each lobe and if they are different cancers, that would be Bad." I asked him to elaborate on "Bad," but he didn't. Is it common to have two different types of cancers in your lungs? Also, what makes that a worse case scenario? Thank you for any responses to my query.

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guyjeff123 | @guyjeff123 | 3 days ago
In reply to @lls8000 "@guyjeff123, Right now, it's all speculation. Which can be so hard to deal with. Our minds..." + (show)
@lls8000

@guyjeff123, Right now, it's all speculation. Which can be so hard to deal with. Our minds run wild.
Based on the responses here, yes, people can develop more than one type of lung cancer. But that doesn't mean that yours will be two types. I have lung cancer in one lung, and a fungal nodule in the other. You've been through a lot recently. Knowing what these nodules are will help to settle your mind. Knowing lets us get a plan in place, and I'm always better with a plan. 🙂
The levels that the PET light up (referred to as uptake) can be telling in some circumstances too.
Has the biopsy been scheduled?

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Hi Lisa. Yes I am having a Robotic assisted biopsy through my airway on 5/16. The doctor told me it's risky since he has to go into the right lobe to try and get a piece of that tumor and then he has to withdraw from the right lobe and go into the left lobe to do the same thing. I think I'm more concerned with him nicking a blood vessel and causing a large bleed, than I am about the lung to collapse. He also said there's a risk of a pulmonary embolism but that's rare. These biopsies commonly cause arrhythmias in the heart and that also scares me because I have A-Fib and Congestive Heart Failure. I just pray I wake up. I'm actually worried about the entire process and outcome. Any cancer will create a treatment dilemma for me since I only have 1 kidney and my eGFR is only 58.

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1 reply
pattythompson | @pattythompson | 3 days ago
In reply to @guyjeff123 "Have they done a PET Scan on The Lungs ? If you are not aware of..." + (show)
@guyjeff123

Have they done a PET Scan on The Lungs ? If you are not aware of this, a PET scan is a 2 hour process where they inject a contrast in you, then give it 1 hour to get through your body. They then scan your body and if a node is cancer it lights up the area. It's not 100% accurate, but it is usually right. I would also ask if you know how big the node is and have they been monitoring it for growth?

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It is 14 mm and yes I had a pet scan..but they don't know if it's a graduloma or cancer..no symptoms.. they did a CT scan because I had a little blood in phlegm and chest was sore to breath and cough. 1st CT show the lump and lymph nodes but the 2nd only showed the lump ..so they thought I had pneumonia..so then came the pet scan..it just seems drastic for an uncertain diagnosis.. I'm so scared to do and not do.

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1 reply
guyjeff123 | @guyjeff123 | 2 days ago

@pattythompson Good morning. Is the hospital where your doctors work a large very competent facility? Do you live in a large city? I ask these questions because I live in a small town in North Dakota that struggles to get the "best doctors" due to the 6 months of winter we have and the extremely cold environment. Fortunately, the hospital is connected to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. If you are living and being treated in a situation such as mine, I would strongly recommend that you get a second opinion from a Pulmonary Specialist who, hopefully, works for a highly credible, nationally known hospital. That's what I plan to do if the results of my biopsy and the treatment plan is anything like yours. I will drive to the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester Minnesota, which is about a two and a half hour drive for me, but well worth the effort. I understand your fear and being scared. I wish I knew something that would help you. I wish I could help you. I empathize with you and what you're going through. I do find some comfort in prayers and my church, although my Faith is always under attack and the certainty I've had all my life of a loving and caring God, and life in Heaven after death, is not as strong as it was. the doubts discourage me , so I too am very scared. God Bless you Patty.

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Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | 2 days ago
In reply to @guyjeff123 "Hi Lisa. Yes I am having a Robotic assisted biopsy through my airway on 5/16. The..." + (show)
@guyjeff123

Hi Lisa. Yes I am having a Robotic assisted biopsy through my airway on 5/16. The doctor told me it's risky since he has to go into the right lobe to try and get a piece of that tumor and then he has to withdraw from the right lobe and go into the left lobe to do the same thing. I think I'm more concerned with him nicking a blood vessel and causing a large bleed, than I am about the lung to collapse. He also said there's a risk of a pulmonary embolism but that's rare. These biopsies commonly cause arrhythmias in the heart and that also scares me because I have A-Fib and Congestive Heart Failure. I just pray I wake up. I'm actually worried about the entire process and outcome. Any cancer will create a treatment dilemma for me since I only have 1 kidney and my eGFR is only 58.

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@jeffguy123. These procedures come with risk and are scary. It sounds like you are in good hands. Your docs are aware of your conditions, so I'm sure they will be extra careful. Having access to a robotic biopsy will help your docs access the tumors. I've undergone several biopsies, one of which was successfully done robotically. Hugs.

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Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | 2 days ago
In reply to @pattythompson "It is 14 mm and yes I had a pet scan..but they don't know if it's..." + (show)
@pattythompson

It is 14 mm and yes I had a pet scan..but they don't know if it's a graduloma or cancer..no symptoms.. they did a CT scan because I had a little blood in phlegm and chest was sore to breath and cough. 1st CT show the lump and lymph nodes but the 2nd only showed the lump ..so they thought I had pneumonia..so then came the pet scan..it just seems drastic for an uncertain diagnosis.. I'm so scared to do and not do.

Jump to this post

Hi Patty, @pattythompson , Oh my!, these decisions are so difficult.
I have stage IV lung cancer, but I also have a fungal nodule that isn't cancer. Our lungs react to all sorts of things.
I like what guyjeff123 asked. If possible, a second opinion may be helpful. Is robotic biopsy an option? It can sometimes help with hard to reach nodules. Also, have they been watching this nodule over time?

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1 reply
pattythompson | @pattythompson | 2 days ago
In reply to @guyjeff123 "@pattythompson Good morning. Is the hospital where your doctors work a large very competent facility? Do..." + (show)
@guyjeff123

@pattythompson Good morning. Is the hospital where your doctors work a large very competent facility? Do you live in a large city? I ask these questions because I live in a small town in North Dakota that struggles to get the "best doctors" due to the 6 months of winter we have and the extremely cold environment. Fortunately, the hospital is connected to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. If you are living and being treated in a situation such as mine, I would strongly recommend that you get a second opinion from a Pulmonary Specialist who, hopefully, works for a highly credible, nationally known hospital. That's what I plan to do if the results of my biopsy and the treatment plan is anything like yours. I will drive to the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester Minnesota, which is about a two and a half hour drive for me, but well worth the effort. I understand your fear and being scared. I wish I knew something that would help you. I wish I could help you. I empathize with you and what you're going through. I do find some comfort in prayers and my church, although my Faith is always under attack and the certainty I've had all my life of a loving and caring God, and life in Heaven after death, is not as strong as it was. the doubts discourage me , so I too am very scared. God Bless you Patty.

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Hi Jeff
No I'm not in the U.S...but I am definitely going to get a second opinion..it really helps communicating with people that have the same fear.. I'm not a religious person..but I'm so thankful that you would pray for my health..I only wish we can all meet someday when they have a cure for Cancer and celebrate..until then..I wish you good health and good luck

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pattythompson | @pattythompson | 2 days ago
In reply to @lls8000 "Hi Patty, @pattythompson , Oh my!, these decisions are so difficult. I have stage IV lung..." + (show)
@lls8000

Hi Patty, @pattythompson , Oh my!, these decisions are so difficult.
I have stage IV lung cancer, but I also have a fungal nodule that isn't cancer. Our lungs react to all sorts of things.
I like what guyjeff123 asked. If possible, a second opinion may be helpful. Is robotic biopsy an option? It can sometimes help with hard to reach nodules. Also, have they been watching this nodule over time?

Jump to this post

Hi Lisa They just found it ..my Dr was worried so ordered a CT scan and then Pet scan. They think I had pneumonia..I will inquire about a Robotic biopsy..and the Fungal nodule sounds interesting..I will ask the Surgeon. I will insist on a second opinion. Thanks for reaching out, it really helps..I wish you good luck and healing.

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guyjeff123 | @guyjeff123 | 1 day ago

Hi again Patty, @pattythompson, I'm happy to hear that you are getting a second opinion, or at least you're going to insist on one. Do you live in Europe? I ask because I do know many European and Asian countries offer their citizens free healthcare, but they often have long waits to see a Specialist. Do you have free healthcare in the country you live in? If not, what kind of insurance do you have and are you able to get a second opinion easily? all of these questions are critical for me to understand your healthcare options. I want to help you , if I can.
Jeffrey, @guyjeff123.

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1 reply
guyjeff123 | @guyjeff123 | 1 day ago
In reply to @pattythompson "They want to take out my upper right lobe because it's in a spot they say..." + (show)
@pattythompson

They want to take out my upper right lobe because it's in a spot they say they can't get to to take a biopsy..they don't know it's it cancer..any advice.. I'm very healthy 64 and no other symptoms

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That sounds like a drastic surgical procedure, especially considering they don't have a preponderous amount of infi

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pattythompson | @pattythompson | 19 hours ago
In reply to @guyjeff123 "Hi again Patty, @pattythompson, I'm happy to hear that you are getting a second opinion, or..." + (show)
@guyjeff123

Hi again Patty, @pattythompson, I'm happy to hear that you are getting a second opinion, or at least you're going to insist on one. Do you live in Europe? I ask because I do know many European and Asian countries offer their citizens free healthcare, but they often have long waits to see a Specialist. Do you have free healthcare in the country you live in? If not, what kind of insurance do you have and are you able to get a second opinion easily? all of these questions are critical for me to understand your healthcare options. I want to help you , if I can.
Jeffrey, @guyjeff123.

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Hi Jeffrey
We have universal..so I should be able to get a second opinion..I so appreciate you're input and info and concern.. it's so very nice to be able to talk with people who are going through the same thing and can offer support

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