Small lung nodule: Turned out to be cancer after 5 years monitoring

What options have the doctors offered you? I had single nodule (3.1cm stage 1b) removed four months ago with Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery. Home in two days and independent, off pain Tylenol in 5 days . They did not need to take lobe. Very happy. However, I have other nodules that are now under observation. My treatment options will be based on how they grow, and location in lung.

Lobe removal is what they are recommending. I've reached out to Mayo for a second opinion, not sure how long that will take.

Have you talked directly to someone at Mayo? After an abnormal chest x-ray, I called Mayo. They were scheduling months out. However, they encouraged me to set up a Mayo account and to send scans when I had them. When I had CT scan and PET scan, I sent them to Mayo (be aware that they want actual scans!). I called to be sure they had arrived and was advised when someone would get back to me. I think it is important to know what the full range of treatment options are for a specific situation.

Hi Vic- Have your doctors, as yet, indicated that you have multifocal adenocarcinoma cancer?

Hi Merry. March CT scant says "suspicious for multifocal adenocarcinoma, no change from December". I had biggest nodule removed December and that was stage 1b. And now there are four remaining (1 is entirely ground glass, 1 is entirely GG/sub-solid, 2 are part solid). Am waiting for 6 months from surgery CT-scan to see what is next. Would have needed to do needle biopsy of largest one to do radiation at 3 months and that comes with a risk so Dr wants me to wait until 6 months.

I think that it's a good call from your doctor! My doctor hasn't done biopsies on me for ages. They just zap when one enlarges (if it grows to a certain size that's usually an indication that it is probably cancer.

My next CT is July and they will most likely have to zap. But it's only my 5th cancer lesion in 14 years and my 6th in 24. Not bad! Right?

Not bad at all!!! I am quite calm about having this type of lung cancer because I have seen that it can be managed on a schedule (thanks to your sharing). I was more upset about my coronary artery problem because one does not have control over something happening. And how does one decide between staying on medication or doing something invasive? So, I put it to the doctors at Mayo and now have a stent. And, they prescribed cardiac rehabilitation which I love, they clean machines immediately and everyone is wearing a mask. Unfortunately, they do not take Silver sneakers (that is a joke). And they are also helping me with my breathing issues.

I loved my rehab too, sounds just like yours. A surgical accident cause my pulmonary artery to collapse 10 years past my surgery so I had to have a stent too!

Are we twins?

Maybe we are! I have a twin brother and we do not look alike at all. Amazing how many people ask if we are identical twins when we are different sexes!

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