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

Posted by felix536 @felix536, Aug 17, 2021

I have 3 lung nodules measuring 4mm, 6mm and 14 mm in three different lobes. Have had ct scans showing no change in 6 months and have another scan scheduled in three months per my pulmonologist. Should I get a second opinion from an Oncologist or wait it out? What are the chances of this being noncancerous?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

@marye2

I have a ground glass lesion, and the Oncology Dr (specializes in Nodules!!) said biopsy is impossible as they are lacey along the edges and hard to get tissue from. They are watching it; I return in June. The followup PET scan showed an axillary lymph node issue, though, and not the lesion. I had the lymph node "punch" biopsied a couple months ago but now the Dr wants an excision biopsy where they remove it. I have to arrange with the GP. Having another followup thyroid CT.

Jump to this post

@marye2- Good morning. It sounds as if you have everything at hand here. Lungs are pretty dicey when it comes to biopsies and nodules and all of the organs that they are close to. I've had to forgo biopsies for those reasons also. An auxiliary lymph node is a lymph node in the armpit that drains the lymph from the breast area and other surrounding areas.

When will the biopsy be done?

REPLY
@marye2

I will; it is a journey. They said it looks extremely slow growing.

Jump to this post

They are usually very slow-growing, Mary. Over a number of years (at least 14 years I can't tell you how many have come and gone in me. I've had several zapped with radiation and 3 removed through surgery.

The one problem among many with lung cancer is making sure that even if there is only one tiny, bitsy lesion, the minuscule cancerous legion should be followed up with a CT scan, at least, once a year for life. I know, I know for life sounds outrageous but once you have cancer there will always be a chance that there will be more.

And what has been said before, a second opinion is always better. I had one but it turned out to be a team of doctors and all followed what my surgeon said and recommended. It's been about 4 or 5 years since my last cancer and he still follows me from my first adenocarcinoma that he removed 24 years ago this past October. At least once a year we have a meeting and a zoom meeting after every CT scan.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

@dongshiming, you ask "Can I request a particular provider?" I can answer how it works at Mayo Clinic.
Appointment specialists are specially trained to match you with the provider or group that's the best fit for your diagnosis and medical history. But you may wonder if you can request a specialist that you've read about or who's been recommended by a friend or colleague. Mayo Clinic can't honor all requests, but we try to when possible.

You can read more on this page of Frequently Asked Questions https://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments/faq

Jump to this post

I dont know where to ask a new question to Dorector. 1 week old diagnosis of an 8mm solid nodule in right lung.

REPLY
@merpreb

@felix536- Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Good morning, it's nice to meet you. I am the Mentor for the Lung Cancer group for Mayo Connect. As members, we can only share our own health experiences, and are we not able to provide a medical diagnosis.

I'm wondering what brought you to the doctor. Were you coughing, spitting up blood, trouble breathing?

I have what is called multifocal adenocarcinoma of the lung. Simply put, this is when several ground glass lesions show up in one or both lungs. Mine started out with 3 lesions in my left upper lung. Then 3 years later a single one along the surgical line of that surgery. I also have a lower left lesion that is being watched with very little change in over 5 years.

I want to state that I do not know enough about all lung cancers to say that only multi-focal adenocarcinomas present this way.

What kind of doctor are you seeing for this? Has anyone considered doing a biopsy?

Jump to this post

I'm new here.. Do I ask you my question..John

REPLY
@merpreb

They are usually very slow-growing, Mary. Over a number of years (at least 14 years I can't tell you how many have come and gone in me. I've had several zapped with radiation and 3 removed through surgery.

The one problem among many with lung cancer is making sure that even if there is only one tiny, bitsy lesion, the minuscule cancerous legion should be followed up with a CT scan, at least, once a year for life. I know, I know for life sounds outrageous but once you have cancer there will always be a chance that there will be more.

And what has been said before, a second opinion is always better. I had one but it turned out to be a team of doctors and all followed what my surgeon said and recommended. It's been about 4 or 5 years since my last cancer and he still follows me from my first adenocarcinoma that he removed 24 years ago this past October. At least once a year we have a meeting and a zoom meeting after every CT scan.

Jump to this post

You have been so helpful! This is all new to me, although I have been through it with an autoimmune disease. I have another CT in March, and feeling good about the team. I am a little Dr fatigued, but keeping on with appointments. I'm going to PCP next week to arrange for axillary lymph node excision (it showed on petscan, where the ground glass did not!) I have I found several articles, not peer reviewed, linking thyroid nodules to low Vit D. hmmm.

REPLY
@merpreb

They are usually very slow-growing, Mary. Over a number of years (at least 14 years I can't tell you how many have come and gone in me. I've had several zapped with radiation and 3 removed through surgery.

The one problem among many with lung cancer is making sure that even if there is only one tiny, bitsy lesion, the minuscule cancerous legion should be followed up with a CT scan, at least, once a year for life. I know, I know for life sounds outrageous but once you have cancer there will always be a chance that there will be more.

And what has been said before, a second opinion is always better. I had one but it turned out to be a team of doctors and all followed what my surgeon said and recommended. It's been about 4 or 5 years since my last cancer and he still follows me from my first adenocarcinoma that he removed 24 years ago this past October. At least once a year we have a meeting and a zoom meeting after every CT scan.

Jump to this post

I feel good about my Doctor at Banner. Nodules are her thing and her team is super, so far. I have a new PCP and will talk to him more.

REPLY
@merpreb

@marye2- Good morning. It sounds as if you have everything at hand here. Lungs are pretty dicey when it comes to biopsies and nodules and all of the organs that they are close to. I've had to forgo biopsies for those reasons also. An auxiliary lymph node is a lymph node in the armpit that drains the lymph from the breast area and other surrounding areas.

When will the biopsy be done?

Jump to this post

I have an appointment with new PCP, because of course mine retired, on the 7th. I have a trip planned for April, so will try to get it done well before then. I have MCTD, so can take awhile to heal.

REPLY
@stellerjohn

I dont know where to ask a new question to Dorector. 1 week old diagnosis of an 8mm solid nodule in right lung.

Jump to this post

Hi John, welcome to the group. You said that a week ago you were diagnosed with an 8mm solid nodule in your right lung. How was the nodule found? Have you had a biopsy to determine whether it is cancerous or not?

I look forward to learning more about you and to the questions you have.

REPLY
@marye2

I have an appointment with new PCP, because of course mine retired, on the 7th. I have a trip planned for April, so will try to get it done well before then. I have MCTD, so can take awhile to heal.

Jump to this post

CT scan last month. Three years in a row, this new 18mm cloudy, 9mm solid showed .dr treating me with antibiotics for 1 week , thinks its mucus from infection. She says wait 3 months for CT again..biopsy too risky.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi John, welcome to the group. You said that a week ago you were diagnosed with an 8mm solid nodule in your right lung. How was the nodule found? Have you had a biopsy to determine whether it is cancerous or not?

I look forward to learning more about you and to the questions you have.

Jump to this post

3 yrs in row CT scan , first time 9 mm solid ,18mm cloudy nodule.
Dr treatment is antibiotics for 1 week thinks infection..
3 more months CT to see if gone

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.