Multiple lung nodules: Might they be noncancerous? What next?

Good morning- It seems that between every 3 months and 6 months are the norms for following lesions depending on how new they are or if they have grown, and of course their size.

With my first cancer, I started keeping all of my tests, scans, and lab work. I began looking up all of the terms that I wasn't familiar with and wrote them down on the results so that when I ran into them again I knew what they meant. I wrote lists of questions. I asked every single question at my appointments and made sure that I understood the answers as best as I could and then googled them when I got home. There's just so much to learn and understand, it can be pretty overwhelming. Are you keeping track of your findings?

Yes I am. I have read that nodules over 10mm have a very high rate of being cancer, however my pulmonologist is comfortable with the watch and wait for my 14mm nodule (& 2 other smaller ones). I thought I remembered the Thoratic Surgeon saying to me that it would have to be removed via wedge section whether it grows or not, so that has caused confusion. They are both monitoring the situation so I will be patient until November. I do appreciate you input. Thank you!

When you have your 3-month scan you could also ask for an explanation of the differing opinions. I'll look forward to hearing the results!

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.

I have a ground glass 1 cm nodule in my lung; they would remove it with laparoscopy as they cannot biopsy it. This and other benign nodules are being followed due to slow growth and they say, no rush. Okay..

Good morning Mary, it's nice to meet you. I have what is called Multifocal Adenocarcinoma of the lung. It's indolent (slow-growing) and I have had several removed or zapped with radiation.

When was this discovered? Are you considering having it removed?

First of all, thank you for your reply. I had never heard of this and I was wondering what the deal was. Both parents had lung cancer, so it has been unnerving. Mine was discovered with a baseline CT in January; a followup in May and a petscan in October. Hadn't grown at all, so they will look at it in June. I still have to get in for a lymphnode biopsy (axillary under arm, same side as glass nodule. They told me they could remove it and certainly is my preference, but they want to evaluate. Nodules in thyroid are benign.

Mary- This is a lot of good news! One of the reasons for a needle biopsy is that it is less invasive than a surgical one. And if there is are no cancer cells then you will be saved from a surgical procedure. I know that it's hard to wait. It seems as if cancer is either all action or all waiting.

It's great news that your Thyroid nodules are benign!

WHen is the biopsy scheduled?

I am having the biopsy for axillary lymph node on Friday. A little concerned about post op, but time will tell. The nurse has to call me; but they said it is 3-4 hour procedure so I presume it will use tracking stuff and a cut.

Hi. Is this a needle biopsy? What are your concerns about postoperative? I was also scared to death before mine. Postoperative was a breeze.

Maybe look on YouTube for a video to show the procedure? I'm on my phone. And don't know how to paste a link