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Multiple lung nodules: Might they be noncancerous? What next?
Lung Cancer | Last Active: Sep 12, 2023 | Replies (174)Comment receiving replies
Nodules were detected on a check ct scan in January by my Cardiologist. I was referred to a Pulmonologist and subsequent scans were taken in February, May and August (this month). A PET scan was done in May but the area where the 14mm nodule was not clear enough (due to breathing) to detect if there was any PET activated activity there. Also, on the May scan there were only a 4mm and 14mm nodules but on the August scan there was a 6mm nodule listed as "unchanged", that makes three. My Pulmonologist and I had a meeting with a Thoratic Surgeon are ok with waiting another 3 months but I am wondering if there are other more sophisticated tests for this condition that possibly they don't offer in this area that they might at UCLA or somewhere. Any ideas?
Replies to "Nodules were detected on a check ct scan in January by my Cardiologist. I was referred..."
Hello. I don’t know about other cancers, but I can share my story.
Same for me, radiologist reported seeing a small ground glass opacity in right upper lobe on heart CT ordered by Cardiologist. Referred to pulmonologist.
Pulmonologist recommended full chest CT for base line. Saw 3 or 4 similar GGOs in various lobes. Recommend watch for change.
3 months Dec 2020 CT nodules unchanged
6 months June 2021 CT nodule in upper left lobe grown 2-3mm and now another in upper left. Recommend continue to watch or lung needle biopsy. I opted for biopsy - found malignant.
August 2021 meet with one of the Mayo Lung Cancer Teams - Oncology, Thoracic, Radiation Oncology, Pulmonology. They call mine Multifocal Adenocarcinoma Insitu said: slow growing and that even when removed it can just pop back up in other glands in the lungs. They mentioned it is not like a cancer that has spread but more like each is an individual cancer. Of course those that have not been biopsied are only suspect at this point.
September 2021, have wedge resection surgery to remove the two nodules in upper left lobe.
December 2021 follow up CT to see if the other GGO nodules have changed.
Of course you do not have knowledge of type yet, but for the Adenocarcinoma, Oncologist told me to think of it as a marathon not a sprint.
Best wishes to you, praying for your nodules to turn out to be nothing.
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@felix536- You are getting very sophisticated testing already. Multiple lung lesions are all primary nodules that seem to begin as ground glass. What I would love is a test that would tell if the nodules are cancerous and should be treated, so others can be left alone! I have had a slew of nodules that have come and gone, and many little thingies hanging around, just taking up space.
Will you please join us in the Multifocal group?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/multifocal-adenocarcinoma-of-the-lung-continual-recurrences/