Nervous. Anxious to see pulmonogist again

hi @joyb1975 - there are a whole host of things that can cause a tree in bud pattern on imaging, including tuberculosis. the best thing would be to see your doctor asap, since you've already had your repeat chest CT, you shouldn't need to do another one in 2 weeks.

@mamajite I agree with Joy. Another CT, especially without contrast, this soon? I too just found out there is some sort of involvement with my heart, as I have had papatations for some time. I had an echo a few weeks ago and there is at least one valve that is regurgitating blood in the (of course) opposite direction. My point is, don't let your possible heart condition go unchecked. They have now added a cardiologist to my team, for which I am grateful, but I was complaining even before my lung surgery. Hopefully in your case, it is more emotional than physical. Blessings 💕

Had right breast cancer and lumpectomy a few years ago. Pathology then fortunately found no cancer cells.
Currently, I have a .9mm nodule found incidentally in my right upper lobe last March. With talks about tree in bud nodules throughout right lung.. and satille nodules in left lung. Im scheduled for my next non contrast CT on June 30th/than see the pulmonalist.
He did say, at my first consult that the .9mm nodule was big enough and easy enough for him to biopsy than. But, he wanted to wait 3 months (June 30th) to see if it has grown.
Brief history. Ill be 51 in July. Still struggling with nicotine. My mom's mom had breast cancer.
Can this all be related?
Last March, I was seen in the ER for coughing so hard that I had blood tinged sputum three times. That was when this nodule amongst others noted.
No cough Currently. They said bronchitis and inflammation noted in bronchi. Now, that inflammation is still there. Seen in the ER on 6/15 for heart palpitations. My D Dimer was elevated so they ordered a CT with contrast to make sure I didn't have a pulmonary embolism. Results, showed I didn't. Other than, continued nodules.
Could this be signs of breast cancer or lung cancer? Don't be afraid to candidly answer my question. I do get more winded with exercise than usual.
Im kinda the type of person that prepares for the worst than celebrates and am grateful if its good news.
Suggestions, answers etc greatly appreciated!!!

Tree in bud usually indicates an infection process. And nodules can be caused by coughs due to infection, exposure to chemical fumes, asthma, allergies, basically anything that will irritate the lung.

Your doctor is being cautious but if you are not comfortable waiting 3 months, ask if you can have the CT at 2mos. Most surgeons prefer to wait till a nodule is 10mm to reduce the probability of a false negative.

@joyb1975, Thinking of you. Are you still scheduled for another CT and pulmonologist visit? If yes, I'm hoping the appointments go well. Let us know what is recommended as next steps.

Had my 3 month f/u chest CT. My .9mm nodule is now .12mm. My pulmonolgist said it may or may not have grown based upon the "positioning" which seems confusing to me. He wants another CT in 6 months. Im wondering if I want another opinion? Sugestions...

@joyb1975 there's a margin of error for imaging, sometimes nodules are bigger or smaller than they appear on the scan. if it was me, I would ask why not do a biopsy now. and I think second opinions are always helpful.

Hi @joyb1975, While scans may be AI assisted, they are read by human radiologists, and they aren't always read by the same radiologist each time. Is the nodule .12 centimeters, or .12 millimeters? Either way, the difference is small. It could indicate growth, but it also could be a difference in radiologist interpretation, or as your pulmonologist mentioned, you may have been laying in the scanner in a slightly different position than the previous scan. The nodule is likely not perfectly round, so a slight turn could result in a different view and appearance of size.
I would never dissuade someone from establishing a relationship with a second opinion doctor. Have you been comfortable with the pulmonologist up to this point? Will you be comfortable waiting, or do you think you'll think about it every day?