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8 mm lung nodule possible malignancy: What should I do?
I had a CT scan and they found a nodule which has grown to 8 mm from 6 mm 12 months ago. The report says "slowly growing malignancy cannot be excluded". My doctor (GP) recommends another CT in 3 months but I am concerned that this approach is not aggressive enough. It has clearly changed from 6 mm to 8 mm.
What do I do?
Should I be seeing an oncologist now?
Should something more aggressive me done?
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@jessicamc the carcinoid is sitting between 2 lobes of my lung so they said if keyhole don't work ill need open surgery a cruise omg I love it 🥰I turned 35 in Aug I've had 2 biopys they came back benign carcinoid I've had 40% of it removed on 5th of Sept is also came back benign carcinoid ive also had one lymph node checked and that aslo came back clear but my surgeon rang me and I've asked him is it a benign tumor he said yes it's a called typical carcinoid lung nurse also rang me yesterday I've also asked her she said yes it's typical carcinoid that there is strong evidence its typical by my biopys and scans she said cause I've read a few stories that people were told it was typical but when they got surgery it was actually atypical and it's kind of driving my anxiety so high yes please let me no how it goes ❤️
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1 Reaction@jessie1990 did the biopsies say if the carcinoids were typical or atypical? I forgot to mention that in my original response.
@jessie1990 I had robotic laparoscopic surgery Jan 2024 and was sent home within 24 hours. There were three small incisions which healed quickly. I did need pain killers for a few days, tapered off to Tylenol after 4-5 days. There results were same as the biopsy, was told that the carcinoids were very small. Lymph nodes tested were all clear.
I return every six months for a scan. No other treatment has been needed.
There is a suspicious spot that is too small to biopsy in the same lung that was noticed April 2025. I return Nov 18 to see if it has changed size.
I’ve had no other bronchial infections since 2023. I did have what I thought was a head cold or allergies in June. Someone suggested I take a Covid test. It was positive. That panicked me, but the symptoms were gone in four days. I do get the Covid booster. The drs recommend the pneumonia & RSV vax also because my lungs are vulnerable.
I am about to have my 79th birthday, leaving soon for a Caribbean cruise. It will soon be two years since the carcinoids were discovered. I will try to save your original email and let you know about the Nov 18 scan.
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1 Reaction@jessicamc hi jess 😊 my name is Jessica also I just read your comment I've been diagnosed with benign typical carcinoid in July this year in my bronchi tube of right lung I've Been hospitalised with pneumonia when they found it I've had 2 biopys one in hospital where I was with pneumonia other biopys was from a differant hospital I was sent to for a second opinion both came back benign typical carcinoid in between all this I've had pet/ct scan which was clear also on 5th September this year I had a procedure down where my lung specialist went down my throat to remove it but could not get it all out over it been stuck to the wall of my tube but managed to remove 40% of it which also came back benign carcinoid now I'm waiting on surgery to be done again in Dec 🥹 one lymph node was also checked and came back clear how was surgery for you how was recovery was it keyhole or open surgery ur feedback would be greatly appreciated thank you so much ❤️
@wtr, Each type of lung cancer can have a unique cellular structure. There are many many types of adenocarcinomas. You are asking great questions for your post-surgery visit with an oncologist. The pathology report and any biomarker testing that is completed will help determine what's next, and your oncologist should be able to speak to the aggressiveness of the tumor.
In the meantime, try to do something that you enjoy that may help to give your mind a break from thinking about all of the possibilities. I know that's difficult. I like to have a plan and a backup plan, but I've come to realize that I often don't have enough info yet to make those plans.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/about/what-is.html
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2 Reactions@wtr HiYi it’s Dave from Pa: what if this..what if that.. please focus on the here and now. We who are fighting cancer tend to worry about tomorrow when all we can truly deal with is the here and now. The what if’s interfere with what’s happening immediately in front of you. Most cancers can reoccur and when they do we deal with them. Worrying that they will(could) back is like worrying you’ll get hit by a bus someday. Don’t waste your time, energy, strength happiness on tomorrow’s. Heck you’ve got 5 days to get ready for your procedure. Best of luck
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3 Reactions@wtr another question as I await robotic segmentectomy at Mayo on the 10th, I’m hoping my results are like yours. Namely, stage 1AN0M0 with clear margins and nodes.
However, I’ve learned that there are differences in the pathology of stage one adenocarcinomas which affect the recurrence rate. A more aggressive subtype of a stage one cancer carries a higher recurrence rate and tend to recur at distant sites rather than original site? Does anyone have insight on this? Thanks.
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1 Reaction@ear , Sorry to hear about the additional cancer. Is the lung adenocarcinoma separate from the esophageal cancer? How are you doing after your appointment? Have you decided what you are going to do, treatment/s?
@ready2talk2000 hiya from Dave in Pa : I’ve found the order of things are between you and your oncologist. They pretty much follow the 3/6 month follow up watching routine. I had CT’s and alternating Pet/Ct’s during my 1-1/2yr wait n watch period. This past July I was diagnosed. the hardest lesson for me is to stay in today; this is the only moment that matters. Not my next chemo session, not my next Pet/Ct, not the next report on how far my mNSCLC has spread. Only today. Say a prayer, do something good for yourself and then someone else, and please stop worrying about tomorrow. It ain’t here just yet. Best wishes DgA
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2 ReactionsYes, see on onologist. I had a Bronchoscopy. My biopsy revealed that Ihad a scant pulmonary adenocarcinoma to the right lung to go along with my just dianosed Esophhageal Adenocarcinoma. Seeing my onologist on Friday for a course of action. I refused surgery going with Chemo adn Raditatton Proton Therapy.