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Possible 2 different cancers in lungs?
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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Hi @pattythompson, just checking in to see how you are doing? Do you have the biopsy scheduled yet?
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1 ReactionNo..they can't biopsy it..they did a Bronchoscopy and took needle biopsy of my lymph nodes..there was nothing on the pet scan that looked suspicious but wanted to check..I will see surgeon on the 10th for the results.. where I go from here is up in the air..I have not had a second opinion yet ..thanks so much for checking in..I really have no one that would understand so having this is a great comfort..I will update after the 10th..hope all is going well with you
Patty
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1 ReactionI had a 2nd lobectomy done 7 months ago and pathology showed I had G719A variant along with a kras G12c variant
I have another tumour in a 3rd lobe which they are monitoring, I'm concerned it may be the same. Anyone else out there with this combination of variants? Grateful for any info. Thanks
@pattythompson
I’m sorry to hear about your situation and all the stress. I’m glad you’re planning to get a second opinion. Some doctors are more skilled than others so maybe another doctor can even do the biopsy. I remember when I first had breast cancer it was only 7mm and buried deep. The radiologist said it would be hard to reach. I could either wait for her to get back from vacation in 6 weeks or go with another radiologist to get in sooner. The nurse pulled me aside and told me to wait the 6 weeks for her because she was really good and never misses. I took that advice. Bullseye.
Long before my breast cancer, my 50+ lung nodules were discovered and they said they could only biopsy by cracking my chest open. But I was hearing so many different guesses about what the nodules might be, everything from benign disorders (mostly) to possible metastatic cancer but no known primary. I refused an open biopsy and waited 12 years for an external needle biopsy on the largest tumor now 2.6 cm (up from 1 cm). It turned out to be rare-ish neuroendocrine lung cancer and extremely rare DIPNECH. Very very slow growing. I’m not recommending you do what I did. I got lucky waiting. I do wish I had gone to a teaching hospital sooner when my local doctors couldn’t figure it out. I only switched after the rare diagnoses. Earlier treatment would have alleviated my respiratory symptoms earlier. Praying you have a good outcome.
I’m sorry that you’re having to go through this; however, I’ve just experienced this and all is going well. I had two different kinds of cancers in different lobes, typical carcinoid tumors in my middle lobe (2.1 cm and 1.5 cm neuroendorine tumors and an invasive Adenocarcinoma in the upper lobe (1.8 cm tumor) non-small lung cancer with no invasion.
I was diagnosed with DIPNECH with multiple tumorlets. The best part was that they were caught early and underwent two robotic wedge resection surgery at Mass General Brigham/Dana Farber, which I believe made all the difference. I am cancer free now and will continue to be monitored. Have faith because it might sound unbelievable, but there are a lot of excellent treatments now. Best to you.
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9 ReactionsRead about multifocal lung cancer, also known as synchronous primary lung cancer. Also read about ground glass opacities. I have had lung cancer for over five years and the cancer in my left lung has a different genetic make up than the cancer in my right lung. These are Synchronous primary cancers, meaning one has not spread from the other. Within the realm of lung cancers I would not call that bad, just different.
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4 ReactionsThe Mayo Clinic has a dedicated oncology group specifically for multifocal lung cancer as it is showing up more and more in LC patients.
Dear @pattythompson. I do hope you are able t get the biopsies done and also A 2nd opinion. I've found that I can ask any questions on the Mayo Connect app and generally get several answers. Please utilize this forum and remember, there's no such thing as a silly or dumb question. God Bless You.
Hello patty, have they been monitoring it and do you know the size of it or the position of it in your lobe? I had my top right lobe removed 7 months ago because the size was 28mm and it was right on the bronchial wall, something to ask your surgeon. Best of luck
Hi.. I've had a Bronchoscopy and today I got results..no cancer found..it is 14mm and I have decided to wait and have a second CT scan in October to see if it is growing. Thank You everyone for the love and support. .I will ✔️ in after my appointment in October..until then..keep keeping on❤️
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