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Been awhile since I've been here, new nodule growth
Hi , I'm sorry it's been so long and I lost track of this wonderful source. Last year I had an upper right lobectomy and stage 1 adenocarcenoma was found. Surgeon also took half of middle lobe & some lymph nodes. My left lung with 5 or 6 nodules was never biopsied nobody told me that and I had thoughts about it, anyhow in Decemeber CT showed that a 0.8 x 0.8 MM nodule in lower left had grown to 0.9x 1.0 and they said "no need biopsy ,it's too small" but ordered PET (which it took them 3 weeks to get me in to discuss) showed it's now 1.0 x 1.4 CM and some of my cervical lymph nodes had suv of 7 up from 4. She said something about just monitoring it and I felt they were kind of minimizing my concerns (and I'm terrified of losing Medicare) and said but it has grown like 2 mm in a flipping month so she went and talked to Dr and came back over 10 minutes later with new plan to have surgeon remove it, can't biopsy because it's near aorta. I'm really feeling like they hadn't really reviewed the PET scan because I don't think surgery would be recommended just to "humor" me. Anyhow I'm nervous and nobody really has covered odds with multiple nodules for me. Has anyone had a similar experience??!
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HI @silvergirl29, There are different types of lung biopsy procedures. Most go down the throat, which sounds scary, but it's the least risky. Other types use a needle placed through the chest wall. You are obviously put under anesthesia for both. Generally, you may have a little coughing afterward, but recovery is usually fairly easy.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374627
It sounds like you have a good team, and they obviously know your history the best. Here are some thoughts/questions that may help you. I would be curious, if they are able to biopsy the lymph node. If not, are they able to take just a wedge, or because of the location do they need to take the entire lobe? You've already had a reduction in lung capacity, would missing another lobe have an impact on your daily life going forward?
Best of luck to you!
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1 Reaction@gig666, I've had a few bronchoscopy procedures too. I've found them to be fairly easy, with a little bit of coughing after each. I'm not a big fan of coming out of anesthesia, but I'm happy to have the anesthesia when I need it. I've also been fortunate that twice the pulmonologist was able to biopsy lymph fluid, and didn't have to get all the way into lung for the nodule.
I hope you are doing well!
@dtorelli , best of luck to you on Monday. It sounds like you have been fortunate to find a very competent team. Knowing the cellular make-up of the mass will give you the reassurance that you are looking for. I that I want to know if it's cancer, and I want to know if it isn't. Pathology is our only way to know for sure. Just curious, is the nodule in a location that is difficult to biopsy?
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1 ReactionI too have lung nodules in both my lungs. They did a
Pulmonary Bronchscope, tube down your throat into lungs and biopsy is done. You are asleep! Good luck
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2 ReactionsI’m having VATS Monday for a newly found 1.5 LRL smooth nodule. CT, FDG PET, and Gallium Dontatate68 PET done because she thought Carcinoid. She is a top Lung Cancer specialist. Chief Professor of Thoracic Surgery. She felt it needs to come out and during surgery they will do a frozen biopsy. I do have a 39 year 1/2 pack a day smoking history. Quit 13 years ago. She said it may be nothing, but since my last CT was done 10/17 and that wasn’t there she doesn’t know if this grew fast or just showed up. I know if I don’t have VATS I will worry every day.
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2 ReactionsI haven't heard from surgeon as of yet, I'm suddenly wishing that there was a way to do chemo or radiation because the right lobectomy was hellacious, lung collapsed, got crepitus and blew up like the Michelin Man and my body really hates tape and tubing. What is the biopsy procedure like? I really need to get a new notebook going for this and write the list of questions down because I go blank any suggestions on what I need to know?
@silvergirl29 , Thanks for the clarification. These are tough situations. I hate the idea of taking out potentially healthy lung tissue, but your history certainly complicates the decision. And you know by now that 3cm is nothing to take lightly. Thankfully I have always been able to get a good biopsy from lymph node fluid (even if it took a couple of attempts with one scare), so I haven't had to face this type of decision.
I'll be interested to hear with the surgeon says. Are you compiling a list of questions for them?
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3 ReactionsThe oncologists office just did that on Tuesday and referred me to my surgeon who hasn't called yet. I'm not worried about identifying info at this point in life, if someone wants to steal my lousy credit history due to foreclosure in 08 crash they are welcome to it lol thanks though 🙂
Hi @silvergirl29, please note that I removed the results that you attached because they included your personal identifying information.
When do you have your appointment with your doctor to review the results of your testing?
Here is the impressions, I'm also so tired lately that it isn't even funny so I'm headed for a quick nap!! I'm also puzzled that they didn't do or order any bloodwork or talk about any other options?