I'm so glad I read your post just now. I am going to see my surgeon for the second visit post-op. I had a carcinoid tumor in the left lower lobe of my lung. The surgeon did a biopsy that came back "cancer" but was vague. The surgeon assured me surgery was the best thing to have done. I did do that, about 5 months ago. I have not been able to return to work, as I am still in a lot of pain. When I had my first post-op visit, I had an X-ray ordered.
As I was stepping away from the machine, I looked up to see the X-ray was labeled "benign tumor." I asked the surgeon about it, and he said they have to write that on there so insurance will pay for it. Sorry this is so long....I pay well over $500 per month for the best supplemental insurance United Health has to offer plus Medicare. Insurance would NOT have been a problem. Quite the opposite. I am just as confused as you are. It is difficult finding information on this type of cancer as it is. I wish, looking back, I had gone for a second opinion after the initial biopsy. I'm sorry you are going through this. I can see removing your tumor if it was blocking your airway, but I would want to know why you were told it was removed because it was a benign cancer and not not just a blockage.