Suprahilar left lung mass

Welcome @deedee1981. You're in good hands at Mayo Clinic. I'm not sure of specific locations, but I know that fellow members like @merpreb @marshall8318 @corgimenow @vic83 @daria @dedehans and others have heard the words "there's a nodule in your lung that we need to investigate further" or similar.

Deedee, at this point I assume that they are still determining whether the nodule may be cancerous or not, correct? What testing will you have done at Mayo Clinic?

A year ago, CT scans identified several nodules in both lungs. PET scan also "hot" for both lungs. I had wedge resection for most significant mass, located in upper right lobe. It was stage 1b. The left lung nodules have been stable with no growth for a year now, it could be scarring. It all depends

I have no idea what testing will be done at the Mayo Clinic. My pulmonologist said it needs to come out regardless of what it might be. No one in my hometown was qualified to do the type of surgery that he thought was needed. Thought it would be complicated. Would not do a biopsy for fear of nicking my pulmonary artery. So at this point I have to assume it’s cancer. I’ve been on 3 different antibiotics in 30 days. Last one was Levaquin. No change in lung. PET had SUV of 22.8.

I am glad to know you are with a major cancer facility like Mayo. They see all kinds of tumors in dicey places so see what they recommend. Mayo has some of the best thoracic surgeons in the world who will be consulted along with your oncology team as to how to proceed....Do hang on to patience as it takes time from discovery of tumors to surgery....mine took 3 months.

That is the best advice I can offer. Wishing you all the best and keep us posted when you can. Hugs to a fellow Dede.

Wishing you the best! Don’t fret until you know for sure. Not sure how they will diagnose that. I have small cell lung cancer and mine was compressing the pulmonary artery too close to operate on.
I’m also Dee Dee ❤️

Hello. I had surgery at Mayo (Phx) Oct 4. Similar situation. Nodule next to heart. Dr. Beamer successfully removed the nodule via wedge resection, RAT surgery. Excellent experience. Previous to surgery Id had a interventional bronchoscopy that determined the nodule was cancerous (NSCLC).

I have an appointment on December 12 with a pulmonologist. They told me to plan on being there 3-5 days. I’m hoping to get a biopsy and find out what this mass is and then decide what to do.

Last Dec I had cancer tumor removed at Mayo. My local Pulmonologist proposed CT needle biopsy, but their Radiologist said he was not comfortable to do it because of the risk and he could not get enough sample. I transferred to Mayo and based on previous CT and PET scans they were pretty certain it was cancer and proposed biopsy and removal be done at same time. I had VAT surgery, and very happy with outcome. Glad I did not have to do two separate procedures!

How long were you in the hospital following the VATS? Recovery time after you got home? Was it painful? I’ve never had anything done surgically. Healthy….no meds. Found the mass due to a few days of random back spasms.

I did not think it all was that bad. I had surgery in the morning. The next morning three people got me on my feet to walk. It did not hurt if I did not move....but you have to move. Of course, you are sore on that side, so you are careful how you move. VAT surgery consisted of three incisions on side. They want you to cough to clear lungs and that would hurt, but you are given meds for the pain. I could have gone home after one night but since I was 80 and feeling a little weak, I stayed a second night. That night my Oxygen levels went too low, and I was sent home with night oxygen for three months. So I went home after two nights and was independent at home. I stopped pain meds in 5 days after surgery. I was driving in one week. They said not to vacuum for two weeks but that was hardly a problem!
Unfortunately, I caught Covid 4 weeks after surgery. I don't know how since I really isolated myself and always wore an N95 mask. I developed a congested cough, got tested and bingo, positive for Covid. They gave me an antiviral and it cleared up the cough right away. But Covid certainly slowed my recovery as far as feeling up to speed.