Adenocarcinoma non small cell lung cancer stage 2b

It’s very hard to get test results and find out you have another issue to deal with, I’m sorry this happened to you, I also have a similar issue. I had my upper left lobe removed in 2020, I was not given any chemo or radiation, two years later another nodule became cancer and they did a segment removal in the lower right lobe, no chemo or radiation. I recently had a ct scan and I have a 7 mm nodule in the upper right lobe, surgery is no longer an option for me so now I’m waiting to see if it changes some more but I know that chemo is not an option for me either, I don’t think I will survive such a treatment because I’m too weak to handle it, I have only researched radiation a little and I know it’s not totally easy to go through based on what I’ve read. I’m 74 now and I’m a five year survivor of cancer and surgery but I paid a dear price with my general health and never got my weight or strength back, as for my mental health I am no better, without both you can’t do much. I noticed that you don’t want any radiation and I would like to hear from you what your reasons are, I ask because it might be all I can do if needed, thank you, Frouke.

Have you met with the oncologist to discuss this yet? What was the SUV on the nodule? How long ago was you last imaging?

Have you had a recent chest cold or other infection? What about exposure to chemical fumes, allergens, or asthma? I ask because anything that can cause inflammation in the lung can cause a nodule and increase the SUV on a PET/CT.

Are there physical characteristics that indicate the possibility that this is a malignancy? Were there spiculations? Irregular shape?

Many nodules are benign. I have several that were present with my first lung cancer that are still there fifteen years later. (Anything smaller than 3cm is a nodule). They have remained unchanged or shrunk a bit.

Please let us know what you learn.

Welcome @tinyizabella071617, Take a breath, and try to not jump ahead too far. As others have noted, we don't know for certain that this new nodule is your cancer returning. Some of us with known cases of cancer, do have non-cancerous lung nodules too (myself included).
Some people do have lung radiation success stories, but I understand that there may be reasons that radiation isn't a good choice for you. I've been able to avoid it so far, and I'm glad of that.
We are all different, and I'm assuming that you aren't having any symptoms related to this nodule. But if this were me, I would ask the oncologist if they think this is cancerous? Do we need to do something now, or does it make sense to wait and see what the nodule does on another CT in 3-6 months? Would they recommend a biopsy before any treatment is proposed?
When do you see your oncologist? Please let us know what they recommend as next steps.

I know this is sad news for you. But there are more targeted therapy options now that might be doable for you. Pls keep us posted on your next steps and how you are doing.

I just had a CEA blood test and the results were high. But the provider i saw didn't seem like he gave a rats- ARSE about the results of my last PET/CT that showed up an 8mm mass on my right upper lung. So I reported him to his office manager. And requested a second opinion from another provider and I will see him in 2 weeks. And I will take and update this post whenever I get home to let everyone know what I learn
Thank you for commenting on my post

I’m happy to hear that you’re taking charge of your health, I know that it’s a different process in the US for getting healthcare, in Canada it’s not so easy, they send you to a oncologist so you’re really in their hands. I think it’s great that you can look after yourself and find help so quickly. I also wanted to apologize for going on about myself in your situation, I just really related to you because I just got my results recently and I’m still struggling to deal with it. I hope that everything works out well for you, I will also wait to hear how things are going with you, best wishes.

Hi @tinyizabella071617—first, I’m really sorry for the shock and frustration you’re feeling. That’s a normal reaction to scary news, and you deserve clear options and a plan you can live with.

Before choosing a treatment, it’s reasonable to confirm what that 8 mm spot actually is. For nodules around this size, common next steps include short-interval CT, PET-CT, or a biopsy—your team weighs these based on risk and your history.

If it does turn out to be a single, localized lung lesion and surgery isn’t an option, the most commonly recommended curative local treatment is stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT/SABR). It’s designed to deliver very focused, high-dose radiation in a few sessions and is a standard approach for medically inoperable early-stage NSCLC.

If you’re strongly opposed to radiation, ask about image-guided thermal ablation (radiofrequency, microwave, or cryoablation). Interventional radiologists use needles to destroy small tumors; candidacy depends on size and location (often best when the lesion is ≤~3 cm and away from critical structures). It’s typically considered when surgery isn’t feasible and can be an alternative in selected cases. Note that this is very new technology and is not yet recommended. It's also not available everywhere.

A few practical steps you might find helpful:
- Ask your oncologist why surgery isn’t advisable right now and whether that could change.
- Request a consult with a radiation oncologist and, if available, an interventional radiologist to discuss SBRT versus ablation for your specific nodule.
- Ask if your case can be reviewed at a multidisciplinary tumor board for a unified recommendation.
- If you still feel uneasy, a second opinion at a high-volume lung center can provide clarity and peace of mind.

Whatever you decide, you’re not alone. Many people do well with these focused treatments, and it’s completely OK to advocate for the approach that fits your values and goals. This community will support you every step of the way.

Lastly, someone mentioned targeted treatments. Before that's an option, you need to have a biomarker test. It's also important to understand that some of these, like the Tagrisso that I'm on, do not hunt down and kill cancer cells. Rather, it keeps the cancer from spreading, so it's still important to first eliminate as much as possible. I wish you all the best.