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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?

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marye2 | @marye2 | Jan 26, 2022
In reply to @felix536 "Pulmonologist recommended needle biopsy. I think the thoracic surgeon is recommending the wedge. Ventura pulmonologist seems..." + (show)
@felix536

Pulmonologist recommended needle biopsy. I think the thoracic surgeon is recommending the wedge. Ventura pulmonologist seems to think it might be benign because of no growth (or maybe his hunch) and UCLA pulmonologist explains it as a weird shape with jagged edges and ground glass. Because she recommended the NB, maybe she thinks there is a chance it's an anomaly and not cancer. I really don't know what to do but thought this would be a less invasive procedure so would start there. Your thoughts and experiences are appreciated. Haven't scheduled it yet.

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My Dr said a needle biopsy of a ground glass nodule likely would be difficult, due to the lacey edges. However, mine is small, so that may be the issue.

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marye2 | @marye2 | Jan 26, 2022

My Dr ran a petscan after the third CT. None of the nodules lit up, not even the ground glass one. I did have one lymph node react, and the needle biopsy was meh. I am trying to get another ultrasound of that.

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felix536 | @felix536 | Jan 27, 2022

The nodule hasnt't grown in 11 months and the Petscan did not light up, however there was some breathing interference with the test so not entirely reliable. When faced with the options of waiting even longer, wedge or needle biopsy, I am choosing needle. How small was your nodule that they thought it to be too small to biopsy?

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2 replies
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 20, 2022
In reply to @felix536 "The nodule hasnt't grown in 11 months and the Petscan did not light up, however there..." + (show)
@felix536

The nodule hasnt't grown in 11 months and the Petscan did not light up, however there was some breathing interference with the test so not entirely reliable. When faced with the options of waiting even longer, wedge or needle biopsy, I am choosing needle. How small was your nodule that they thought it to be too small to biopsy?

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Felix- How are you holding up? What was the breathing interference with the test?

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1 reply
vic83 | @vic83 | Feb 20, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "@dongshiming, you ask "Can I request a particular provider?" I can answer how it works at..." + (show)
@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

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Yes, the Mayo appointment specialists are very good. I first called when I saw I had an unusual chest x-ray. They told me they were scheduling 3 months out but encouraged me to set up a patient account which I did. I had CT and PET scans done at my primary care provider clinic, and Mayo said to have actual scans sent and someone would get back to me within 48 hours. I was called the next morning. I made sure my PCP sent the actual scans immediately!

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felix536 | @felix536 | Feb 21, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Felix- How are you holding up? What was the breathing interference with the test?" + (show)
@merpreb

Felix- How are you holding up? What was the breathing interference with the test?

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Had a needle biopsy of 12mm nodule and came back positive for Invasive Adenocarcinoma, this is after watching and waiting for 11 mths. This was done at UCLA and surgery will be done there also. The nodule had not grown but was showing signs of hardening, which indicates cancer. The 4mm is unchanged and will be watched and the 6mm unchanged as well and there is a possibility that its a lymph node and not a nodule, they aren't sure. My options all along have been watch and wait, needle biopsy or surgical biopsy.
Surgery on March 8th and then follow up scans. Hoping for a wedge and not a full lobectomy. I hope this information may be helpful to others. Best to all!

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 21, 2022
In reply to @felix536 "Had a needle biopsy of 12mm nodule and came back positive for Invasive Adenocarcinoma, this is..." + (show)
@felix536

Had a needle biopsy of 12mm nodule and came back positive for Invasive Adenocarcinoma, this is after watching and waiting for 11 mths. This was done at UCLA and surgery will be done there also. The nodule had not grown but was showing signs of hardening, which indicates cancer. The 4mm is unchanged and will be watched and the 6mm unchanged as well and there is a possibility that its a lymph node and not a nodule, they aren't sure. My options all along have been watch and wait, needle biopsy or surgical biopsy.
Surgery on March 8th and then follow up scans. Hoping for a wedge and not a full lobectomy. I hope this information may be helpful to others. Best to all!

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This sounds like where I am right now! My lesion was all ground glass with no solidity so I am waiting 6 more months! No biopsy will be done as I can only have SBRT (radiation) at this point because I can't lose too much more lung tissue.

I wish you well on March 8th. Do you have any preparations that you have to do or stop any medications?

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felix536 | @felix536 | Feb 21, 2022

Good no solidity. Keep an eye on it and will hope that it stays stable. Hoping the best for you. Has anyone ever had "hazy opacities in lung base that could represent sequela of needle biopsy"? This showed up on a chest x-ray eleven days after the needle biopsy.

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marye2 | @marye2 | Feb 21, 2022
In reply to @felix536 "The nodule hasnt't grown in 11 months and the Petscan did not light up, however there..." + (show)
@felix536

The nodule hasnt't grown in 11 months and the Petscan did not light up, however there was some breathing interference with the test so not entirely reliable. When faced with the options of waiting even longer, wedge or needle biopsy, I am choosing needle. How small was your nodule that they thought it to be too small to biopsy?

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Mine was ground glass, with lacey edges and is relatively small (1 cm) so they said they could not biopsy. Waiting.

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aahlrichs | @aahlrichs | Oct 14, 2022

I hope I’m in the correct area to ask this question..during a recent CT scan a 13mm nodule on my lung was found. I’ve had two close family members die of lung cancer. My family physician wants to take a watch and see approach but everything I read says “over 10mm should have PET scan or biopsied”. And that if it is malignant it can grow fast during the “watch and see” time frame. I’m curious if I have legitimate concerns??
My information at this point has only come from doctors, who see many benign cases a day, and insurance companies. The nurses and doctors at this point have all treated it like it’s not a big deal and pushed me off.
I’d really appreciate any advice. Thank you for reading. 😊

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