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Pulmonary Nodules
Last year I went in and had a heart scan (coronary artery calcium score). The good news was my calcium score was zero, but the CT scan showed that I have dialation in my thoracic aorta (3.9cm) and a pulmonary nodule (7mm). I had another scan at 12 months and the dialation and pulmonary nodule had not grown in size, but two new pulmonary nodules were found. Actually, one of the 'new' pulmonary nodules was in an area not included in the original scan, so it may or may not be new. The new nodules are small (3mm and 2mm).
So I understand that most pulmonary nodules are benign and nothing to worry about and the original one may have been there for many years. But I was wondering why new ones are showing up? I have CLL (W&W) and was curious if there could be any connection? My white blood cell count was 27k in November 2017 and when I went in for my six month checkup in May, it was up to 40k. I had my yearly physical seven weeks later and my white blood cell count had gone from 40k to 56k in that short period of time (my lymphocytes were up 20k over that seven weeks). I have no CLL symptoms, and was wondering if the spike in my white blood cell count could be due to something else or somehow related to the pulmonary nodules?
I guess to sum it up, is there any concern that new pulmonary nodules are appearing and could there be any connection to the my increasing white blood cell count (I suspect not)?
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Hi @grecarmar,
Have you seen this discussion in the Lung Health group? You might wish to review it. There is some great advice in there.
- Lung nodules & scared! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lung-nodules-scared/
How lucky that the nodules were found. I, too, would be interested in knowing if there is any causal relation to CLL. Have you talked to your oncologist about it? White blood cell count fluctuations can be related to so many different causes.
Additionally, I'd like to invite you to the Blood Cancers group: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/blood-cancers-disorders/
There are several discussions about CLL and watch & wait treatment there.
When do you see your oncologist next?
Thanks. I'll be going to see my hematologist-oncologist in early September. Last year I sent him the report on the original nodule and he didn't seem interested in it, so I'm not sure if I'll send the latest update.
@grecarmar, I wanted to share with you a few discussions you may find worth your time to read through and participate in if you feel comfortable:
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cll-1/
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/non-hodgkins-lymphoma-watch-wait-approach/
Hello & welcome to Connect:
I have been following your story. I am a very grateful 10 year plus lung cancer survivor and I never smoked.
With proper diagnosis and VATS surgery at Mayo Clinic where teams of doctors listened like no one else, a CT scan and surgery saved my life. I had a nodule for many years that was followed with low dose CT scans. The nodule disappeared.
So my feeling is breath deep, with exercise daily, good diet and stress relieving mindfulness. If you have a team of professionals that you trust that helps tremendously and it’s not quiet so scary when you have to think about a lung nodule.
All my best,
Hi, I too have the aortic dialation (4.2 ) and several lung nodules. Scared beyond belief
@dixiemisty, I can understand you're scared. @pattymac was too when she heard she had lung nodules. Read her story here:
– Lung nodules & scared! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lung-nodules-scared/
Are you in the care of a cardiologist and pulmonologist? What's next?
Hi, yes I recently saw a pulmonogist, a cardiologist and a cardio-tjoracic surgeon. They are going to repeat CT scan in Jan. to note any growth of nodules. They also found an aortic aneurysm which is 4.2cm. Scheduled to have an echo next mo. To see a neurosurgeon next wk because I have a spinal fx that won't heal. Overwhelmed at this point .
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1 ReactionI bet you are overwhelmed. But you’re doing something about it. One step at a time.