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Multiple lung nodules: Might they be noncancerous? What next?
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?
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I'm at the best on the east coast. Thanks! Enjoy your weekend!
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1 ReactionThanks for welcome. The most concerning mass was removed 12/29/21. Pathology report says Moderately differentiated invasive adenocarcinoma, 3.1 cm mass., Visceral pleural invasion absent, surgical margin is negative, lymph nodes negative. A PET scan from 4 weeks before surgery showed no indication of cancer throughout body. So defined as a stage 1b because of size (less than 3cm to be state 1a). But I have other things to watch in lungs. I read all the reports and google all the medical terms. I would just like to have an idea of how things will play out, how often the scans, potential for new developments and potential treatment. I need to plan for the future. I would like to also plan for some vacation. Unfortunately, I also discovered in December that I have a single 70% cardiac artery blockage. So management is critical. With stents, one is on medication that prohibits surgery for significant time. Something one does not want to do with lung cancer!!!
I am on medication for blockage now because had they put in the stent I would not have been able to remove the cancer, and stent would not have been much useful then! Turns out that a study came out that shows people on medication do as well as people with stent. So I want a clear understanding of what my risks and options are.
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1 ReactionWhat is a "link". My first cancer (stage 1b) removed in Dec 2021 is 20 years after I quit. I guess I did well to quit then
Vic..if you are on an anticoagulant for blockage it would have to be stopped before any surgery....Is the stent working well enough for you to go off the med for surgery??? I have heart issues too (15 years ago major heart attack) and it complicates everything but I went off the blood thinners a few weeks before I had the LLL surgery.
Yes. I'll let you know. Thanks.
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1 ReactionI am 80 and I just did VAT Surgery on lung. I am doing well. Look for someone who does Video Assisted Thoracic surgery where they make just 3 incisions
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1 ReactionPlease be more specific..is this a special surgery that does not go into the lung specifically to the nodule? I dont understand
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1 ReactionI did not do stent because I was in middle of workup for lung mass. Cardiologist said it was OK to put me on medication to treat blockage while I determine what is lung problem. That is not the same medication one has with stent placement. Antiplatelet therapy is required for 6 or more months and cannot be interrupted. For lung surgery they only had me stop low dose aspirin and Lozol for one day. I kept taking the IMDUR and TOPROL XL and Atorvastatin.
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1 ReactionI had one and there weren't any problems. It was my first time with a major organ and I felt frantic. I was also introduced to versed. I was awake, on a gurney, partway into a CT scanner and as high as a kite. I had a great time. Oh, it was also in a hallway!
Please know that I'm not trying to make light of biopsies. They can be risky, but so much depends on the health of the person's lung, the position of the cancer nodule, and the technicians doing the procedure. I feel that I am so lucky to live in a time where such procedures are not only possible but are done as a matter of routine.
I wish you the best of luck. But most of all, how are you feeling about the risks?
John- There are all sorts of different types of surgeries that can be performed on the chest. VATS is one way to access cancer that does not involve opening up the chest and spreading ribs.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/video-assisted-thoracic-surgery/about/pac-20384922Can I help you do some research? Do you have specific questions or do you not know what to ask? (like I was, and still sometimes don't!)
Merry