Several 6mm nodules found in both upper lobes...

Posted by leah4122 @leah4122, Jan 17, 2025

Last year in July I had a persistent cough . Several rounds of steroids and antibiotics and was still there .. Finally they did cheat x-ray , MRI and then smaller dose CT.. Findings were several nodules in both lungs .. in the right lung findings were 6mm pulmonary nodule in upper RT lobe adjacent to spine. then lateraly in RT upper lobe a 5mm pulmonary nodule . In the medial aspect RT middle lobe is a non calcified 6mmnear helium. A 4mm subplueral nodule in the superior segment of the right lower. . In the posterior Left upper lobe is a pulmonary node @4mm posterior segment . Perifissural nodules are seen along the left major fissure measuring up to 4mm. Subplueral nodule superior segment left lower lobe @3mm.. My father had lung cancer at the age of 57. Suggested to wait 6 months for another small dose CT scan which would be in March but now all of a sudden I've been experiencing chest pains also pain in shoulder .. Worsens when deep breathe or sneezing etc . Thoughts ? Is this normal to have so many show up on a scan ? I was shocked .. thank you in advance

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Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Sep 10 2:18pm

In reply to @joe88 "@californiazebra. Hi Zebra! Wow. You absolutely know your stuff. I am beyond scared right now as..." + (show)

Welcome @joe88, First take a deep breath. Try to focus on what you know to be true. I know our minds like to go to the worst case scenario, but not all nodules are cancer. I have lung cancer but have also had a fungal nodule. IF this is cancer, it's great that you had your screening completed, so you can act on the results. Focus on one day at a time,
What's next? Do you have an appointment set up with a pulmonologist?

Zebra | @californiazebra | Sep 12 3:01pm

In reply to @joe88 "@californiazebra. Hi Zebra! Wow. You absolutely know your stuff. I am beyond scared right now as..." + (show)

@joe88
Hi Joe88. The unknown waiting game is always stressful. Sorry you’re in that place. First, I agree with others that most nodules (yours are small) are not cancer so keep that in mind. Second, you mentioned you had a low dose CT which sounds like that may be a routine screening? Was it? Do you have any symptoms that led you to the scan or just a precaution? Third, my knowledge is regarding neuroendocrine lung cancer and DIPNECH (also neuroendocrine). Neuroendocrine is only 1% of lung cancer cases —rare. Has anyone suggested you may have a neuroendocrine condition?
I can tell you they found a significant sized lung nodule (incidental finding) on my cousin and he freaked out because there is a lot of cancer in our family, but they biopsied it, it was benign and they told him it didn’t even need to be removed. Phew, his life went right back to normal. So know that the odds are your nodules are nothing scary. That being said, has the doctor recommended any followup screenings or tests? It’s hard not to assume the worst, try to resist and tell yourself that following up is just a normal medical step. Always hopeful, Zebra

joe88 | @joe88 | Sep 12 4:54pm

In reply to @lls8000 "Welcome @joe88, First take a deep breath. Try to focus on what you know to be..." + (show)

Hi Lisa! @lls8000, thank you for your response! I am truly grateful. I am sorry that you were diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, I am happy that you are with us and that you fought a courageous battle! Yes, I have an appointment with the pulmonologist on the 18th with the city of hope. Wait to see what he recommends but what I find shocking is that today on Sept 12th my clinic sent a referral to city of hope, Oncology. On the report, it says benign and to follow up in 12 months with a CT recommendation.

joe88 | @joe88 | Sep 14 6:09am

In reply to @californiazebra "Hi @leah4122 I'm sure you're worried especially since your dad had lung cancer at an early..." + (show)

@californiazebra

Hi @leah4122 I'm sure you're worried especially since your dad had lung cancer at an early age. I'm sure there are lots of different things they can be. Almost 20 years ago, I had a CT for chronic bronchitis and 50+ nodules were found scattered across both lungs (notice I'm still here enjoying life). 20 various specialists all guessed wrong for the next 12 years, everything from metastatic cancer to something left behind from a viral illness and many other guesses.

They could finally do a needle biospy on the largest tumor in 2020 as they were slowly growing. They turned out to be neuroendocrine lung cancer (typical carcinoids) which is a rare slow growing lung cancer and the reason I had so many nodules is because I have an even rarer neuroendocrine lung condition called DIPNECH -- only 300 documented cases to date, but they believe it is underdiagnosed. Most specialists haven't even heard of it including lung specialists. I had a chronic cough, shortness of breath, etc. for 30 years straight that was misdiagnosed as GERD, asthma, bronchitis, etc. Steroids, antibiotics and inhalers never helped. By the way, my brother died at 48 from non-small cell lung cancer (never smoked a day in his life) and that is not related to my type of cancer. So what you have may not be related to your dad's cancer.

I've been taking octreotide injections for 4 years now that has been life changing in taking away that chronic cough. It also slows tumor growth. Don't let your fear take over, be sure to ask the doctors to consider lung NETs and DIPNECH as possibilities and definitely have that follow-up scan in 6 months. There is plenty of hope that the specialists will figure this out and it will be treatable or even just an ongoing watch and wait situation. If your local doctors can't figure it out, try Mayo or your nearest university hospital. I hope this message brings you a little peace. Prayers for you, Zebra

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@californiazebra hi Zebra! I am sorry to hear about your brother. I am shocked as I heard that non small lung cancer is treatable now and not a death sentence as it once was in the past. Do you have any more information about his situation? I know you said he never smoked either, wow.

Zebra | @californiazebra | Sep 14 10:46am

In reply to @joe88 "@californiazebra hi Zebra! I am sorry to hear about your brother. I am shocked as I..." + (show)

@joe88
My brother was diagnosed in 2003 and passed in 2005 at 48 so they may have better treatment now. It was stage 4 when diagnosed as he never had any lung symptoms. His first symptoms were unrelenting back and pelvic pain that started at the gym from where the cancer had spread. It took a year to diagnose him as he was treated for what was assumed to be a back injury. Once diagnosed, he had surgeries on the metastatic portion (no treatment on lungs), radiation and 2 straight years of chemo until he passed. Since he was so young, fit, healthy and a non-smoker he never had any chest xrays or screening CTs or even ever went to the doctor in years prior which could have caught it early. Lots of various cancers and at young ages in my family so likely genetics at play. Still hoping your nodules will turn out to be benign. ❤️

joe88 | @joe88 | Sep 14 11:46am

In reply to @californiazebra "@joe88 My brother was diagnosed in 2003 and passed in 2005 at 48 so they may..." + (show)

@californiazebra Hi Zebra! Wow, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. I am truly sorry. That is horrible. Thats why cancer is so scary, usually has no symptoms and when symptoms do happen it has already gone to stage 4, like your brothers case. Your poor brother went quick, wow. He had non small cell cancer, correct? It does sound like genetics play a big factor in your families cancer diagnosis. I am pretty sure I have cancer zebra and I am freaking out beyond words. I have no family support or friends, have no one and im pretty sure the doctor when I see him on the 18th will indicate a future cancer diagnosis. Thank you so much for your kind words. So sorry that you and your family are going through a cancer crisis and especially the loss of your brother. My deepest sympathies. Is there anyway we can contact so I can someone with me when I go to the doctors on the 18th. Thank you Zebra!

Zebra | @californiazebra | Sep 14 1:18pm

In reply to @joe88 "@californiazebra Hi Zebra! Wow, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother...." + (show)

@joe88
You can send me a private message through this system.

joe88 | @joe88 | Sep 14 2:13pm

In reply to @californiazebra "@joe88 You can send me a private message through this system." + (show)

@californiazebra Hi Zebra, thank you for your response. How do I sent a private message? I am new to all this. Thank you

mamajite | @mamajite | Sep 14 3:29pm

In reply to @joe88 "@californiazebra Hi Zebra, thank you for your response. How do I sent a private message? I..." + (show)

@joe88 click on the envelope icon in the upper left hand corner.

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Sep 14 4:25pm

In reply to @joe88 "Hi Lisa! @lls8000, thank you for your response! I am truly grateful. I am sorry that..." + (show)

Hi @joe88, Thank you! I'm happy to still be here too.
I'm glad you are seeing someone at City of Hope a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated center. They'll have their own opinion and recommendation for follow up. You should be in good hands there.
In the mean-time, have you started a list of questions for the doctor? It helps me to be able to write them down. I find that they stop swirling around my brain once I get them on a piece of paper or an electronic notes list. Here are a few to get you started: What do they think this is? What is the chance it is something other than cancer? What are the recommendation for follow up? Do I work with you or my home physician for that follow up?
I'm sure you'll have others to add to your list.

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