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Biopsy for a Lung Nodule

Posted by laura2904 @laura2904, Jul 4 8:49pm

Went to see a thoracic surgeon yesterday and she has recommended a biopsy and PET CT Scan. I am scared to do the biopsy.

Looking for feedback on your experience with lung nodules and biopsies and if the results were benign malignant.

These are my CT scans I have done. This nodule was an incidental finding.

Dec 18th 2024
Potential partial visualization right lower lobe 10 x 6 mm subsolid nodule
with 5 mm solid portion.

Jan 26th 2025
Basal right lower lobe there is a small part solid nodule with irregular peripheral margins measuring up to 15 mm.

February 26 2025
Right lower lobe 1.3 x 1.0 cm nodule.

March 10 2025
Lungs: Increased size of right lower lobe nodule measuring 1.5 x 0.8 x 1.0 cm (TV X AP X CC), previously 1.1 x 0.8 x 0.8
cm (TV X AP X CC). Irregular borders redemonstrated. Lesion abuts subsegmental pulmonary artery
Increase size of right lower lobe nodule, with irregular borders measuring up to 1.5 cm. Lesion is suspicious for pulmonary
malignancy.

June 27 2025
Persistent spiculated opacity in the right lower lobe measuring 1.2 x 0.9 cm,
relatively similar compared to prior study from 1/26/2025.
Persistent spiculated opacity in the right lower lobe measuring 1.2 x 0.9 cm
relatively stable compared to 1/26/2025. Given the appearance, malignancy
is the diagnosis of exclusion. Image guided biopsy can be attempted.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

Profile picture for Matthew K
Matthew K | @flusshund | Jul 16 8:25am
In reply to @troubletwo "Wrote in over the past 3 1/2 years with my hubby's double lung cancer with a..." + (show)
Profile picture for troubletwo @troubletwo

Wrote in over the past 3 1/2 years with my hubby's double lung cancer with a different cancer in each lung. Will not go into the full info as I'm sure it still exists on this site. Last May 2024 following an enhanced CT scan, a right lower posterior nodule appeared. With scans every 3-4 months it has grown very slowly and wonder why they do not do a fine needle biopsy at this point and do ablation to get rid of it, rather than feeling it can grow larger before they feel there is concern, I guess to move forward to treat?? I guess if it is larger then they get a better reading with the PET scan results??

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Hi @troubletwo—nodules can behave quite differently from one person to the next, and much depends on both their size and how quickly they change. For example, one of mine grew from 6 mm to 8 mm in just three months—a 30 % increase—so my team ordered a PET scan right away. Thankfully, it turned out to be benign. I’ve even had nodules grow by 50 % over a similar period and still prove harmless. Because any biopsy carries its own risks, your oncologist will weigh that step carefully before recommending it.

My personal approach is simple: until my oncologist says, “You have cancer,” I assume I don’t. That mindset has carried me through seven active, full-time working years (with a promotion along the way) and keeps my focus on what I enjoy rather than on what-ifs. We all know life is short; this community understands that better than most. So keep asking questions, lean on your medical team’s judgment, and, above all, keep living your life to the fullest and encourage your husband to do the same. We’re right here cheering both of you on.

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troubletwo | @troubletwo | Jul 16 7:23pm

Your comments are very calming and positive and we thank you for your time in sharing your thoughts.

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mamajite | @mamajite | Jul 16 8:55pm
In reply to @troubletwo "Wrote in over the past 3 1/2 years with my hubby's double lung cancer with a..." + (show)
Profile picture for troubletwo @troubletwo

Wrote in over the past 3 1/2 years with my hubby's double lung cancer with a different cancer in each lung. Will not go into the full info as I'm sure it still exists on this site. Last May 2024 following an enhanced CT scan, a right lower posterior nodule appeared. With scans every 3-4 months it has grown very slowly and wonder why they do not do a fine needle biopsy at this point and do ablation to get rid of it, rather than feeling it can grow larger before they feel there is concern, I guess to move forward to treat?? I guess if it is larger then they get a better reading with the PET scan results??

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hi @troubletwo, I was told if the nodule is less than 1 cm, it's hard to make sure they can get a sample to biopsy using needle biopsy. Sometimes the location of the nodule just isn't conducive to that test, also. I think your questions are thoughtful and I encourage you to ask hubby's oncologist/care team about them.

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troubletwo | @troubletwo | Jul 16 9:36pm

Your response was greatly appreciated. Thankyou.

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Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Jul 24 2:58pm
In reply to @reader0108598 "Hi Laura I just had a biopsy Monday! It was a good experience. Staff, Doctors were..." + (show)
Profile picture for reader0108598 @reader0108598

Hi Laura I just had a biopsy Monday! It was a good experience. Staff, Doctors were great I was fully under so woke up back on stretcher nice and comfy. I have major back trouble they went out of their way to make sure they propped up my legs and put a hard pad under my lumbar area this was on the operating table. Bad news is as I suspected it is cancer just starting my journey so don't know much yet. See Oncology on the 15th of this month and a surgeon on the 29th. Wishing you all the luck and yours is benign. Mine is Malignant!

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Hi @reader0108598 , I'm sorry to hear that you are joining this club of lung cancer. You will learn a lot, and don't be afraid to ask any questions. It's normal to feel overwhelmed with information, decisions, and emotions. How did your oncology appointment go? You mentioned that your cancer is malignant. What area/s has it spread to? And are they still considering surgery? Do you have family/friends that can support you?

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laura2904 | @laura2904 | Nov 5 11:26pm
In reply to @lls8000 "Hi @reader0108598 , I'm sorry to hear that you are joining this club of lung cancer...." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa, Volunteer Mentor @lls8000

Hi @reader0108598 , I'm sorry to hear that you are joining this club of lung cancer. You will learn a lot, and don't be afraid to ask any questions. It's normal to feel overwhelmed with information, decisions, and emotions. How did your oncology appointment go? You mentioned that your cancer is malignant. What area/s has it spread to? And are they still considering surgery? Do you have family/friends that can support you?

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@lls8000

The biopsy came back inconclusive in July. Oct 17th they did a Vats Wedge right lower lobe surgery and I got the pathology results today that it's Stage 1 Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Lung. In a couple of weeks they are doing a right lower lobe lobectomy.

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laura2904 | @laura2904 | Nov 5 11:26pm
In reply to @dianemb "Hello Laura2904, I’ve had three lung biopsies in the last three years. I have nsc lung..." + (show)
Profile picture for dianemb @dianemb

Hello Laura2904,
I’ve had three lung biopsies in the last three years. I have nsc lung cancer stage 4. It’s not a bad procedure. It helps your doctors decide what treatment will work for you. I am a Mayo Rochester patient.
Of course no procedures are fun but the technicians, nurses and doctors were so kind. It makes it all less frightening.
I wish you healing and good health. Best regards, Diane

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@dianemb

@lls8000

The biopsy came back inconclusive in July. Oct 17th they did a Vats Wedge right lower lobe surgery and I got the pathology results today that it's Stage 1 Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Lung. In a couple of weeks they are doing a right lower lobe lobectomy.

REPLY
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laura2904 | @laura2904 | Nov 5 11:27pm
In reply to @flusshund "@laura2904, I would definitely have the biopsy. A lung biopsy removes a small amount of tissue..." + (show)
Profile picture for Matthew K @flusshund

@laura2904, I would definitely have the biopsy. A lung biopsy removes a small amount of tissue that can be used to not only tell whether you have lung cancer or not, but can also identify what type of cancer. Some types of lung cancer are best treated with neoadjuvant therapy which is a medical term meaning you'll start taking a medication before surgery. The neoadjuvant therapy may reduce the size of the tumor prior to surgery and may help ensure that other cancer cells that may be in your body don't grow large enough to be detected. All good stuff.

Weigh all that potential benefit against the potential downside of having an invasive procedure that might be unnecessary along with its expense. Thoracic oncologists are good about not recommending a biopsy unless they suspect that the tumor is cancerous. "diagnosis of exclusion" means they believe they have eliminated all other possibilities. I believe the benefit vastly outweighs the risk.

I totally understand your concern. When my doctors first proposed a biopsy, I said, "Whoa. Wait a minute. I want a second opinion from my pulmonologist." 2 days after I saw him, he called at 7 p.m. and told me to "get the biopsy." I did. It was cancer. 7 years later I'm not only still here, I'm working full-time. The long-term prognosis is much better when caught early.

Let us know what you decide and know that we're here for you no matter which path you choose. All the best and long life!

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@flusshund

@lls8000

The biopsy came back inconclusive in July. Oct 17th they did a Vats Wedge right lower lobe surgery and I got the pathology results today that it's Stage 1 Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Lung. In a couple of weeks they are doing a right lower lobe lobectomy.

REPLY
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laura2904 | @laura2904 | Nov 5 11:28pm
In reply to @troubletwo "Your response was greatly appreciated. Thankyou." + (show)
Profile picture for troubletwo @troubletwo

Your response was greatly appreciated. Thankyou.

Jump to this post

@troubletwo

@lls8000

The biopsy came back inconclusive in July. Oct 17th they did a Vats Wedge right lower lobe surgery and I got the pathology results today that it's Stage 1 Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Lung. In a couple of weeks they are doing a right lower lobe lobectomy.

REPLY
Profile picture for laura2904
laura2904 | @laura2904 | Nov 5 11:29pm
In reply to @mamajite "hi @troubletwo, I was told if the nodule is less than 1 cm, it's hard to..." + (show)
Profile picture for mamajite @mamajite

hi @troubletwo, I was told if the nodule is less than 1 cm, it's hard to make sure they can get a sample to biopsy using needle biopsy. Sometimes the location of the nodule just isn't conducive to that test, also. I think your questions are thoughtful and I encourage you to ask hubby's oncologist/care team about them.

Jump to this post

@mamajite

@lls8000

The biopsy came back inconclusive in July. Oct 17th they did a Vats Wedge right lower lobe surgery and I got the pathology results today that it's Stage 1 Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Lung. In a couple of weeks they are doing a right lower lobe lobectomy.

REPLY
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