CT chest finding noted but never mentioned again?

Posted by pb50 @pb50, Feb 15 11:16am

In April 2023 I had an annual chest CT to monitor a known small nodule in left lower lobe we had been tracking for four years. This time, it had jumped from 9mm to 14 and it was decided to do a left lower lobectomy. Result was Stage 1, clear nodes.

But in that April CT report, it also mentions “a small cluster of tree-in-bud micronodular opacities in the left upper lobe”. And it has never been mentioned again, across multiple chest X-Rays and CTs.

Should I question that? I don’t know much about that particular pathology - and I question whether it is a precursor to a more consolidated malignancy?

Anyone have insight into that?

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Yes!!!!! Do ask it. Your oncology gust should be able to pull it up and review that. Mine is able to put two CTs up side by side and show me the changes.

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@denzie

Yes!!!!! Do ask it. Your oncology gust should be able to pull it up and review that. Mine is able to put two CTs up side by side and show me the changes.

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Frustratingly I had the ct and surgery in one medical org and am now being followed in another. I can see the report on my chart but I have to ask org 1 for a (disc/thumb drive/I’m not sure) to bring the images to my oncologist and pulmonologist.

But I did send the text of the report to my oncologist. Thanks again

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I had lobectomy (lower left lobe) in March 2022, now have ground glass opacities and compression of airway due to shifting in anatomy post lobectomy in upper left lobe. Recently had a lymphadenopathy (sp?) similar to a bronchoscopy and no evidence of cancer cells were found. UCLA surgeon says there is nothing he can do regarding structural changes so will watch. Feeling good and will have another CT Scan in April. Best one can due is keep following up and get opinions. Very best to you!

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Thanks!! I reached out to oncologist who said that early 2023 finding could have been an minor infection or area of inflammation that resolved by the time next images were done.

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Follow up: I reached out to oncologist who said that early 2023 finding could have been an minor infection or area of inflammation that resolved by the time next images were done.

Learned something and I can relax!

Thanks to those who responded.

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@pb50,

Glad to hear your good news.

I have several GGOs and nodules that have been monitored over the past five years. Some have resolved, one appears benign, and one GGO has been slow-growing and developed a semi-solid component that was positive on PET CT in Sept 2023. The repeat scan in Jan 2024 showed 2 mm new growth. I decided to have robotic surgery at Mayo Rochester in April to remove it.

I had trouble getting all my images to Mayo from the other institutions. Sometimes, I was told institutions sent the images electronically, but they were not received. My most reliable method was to go to the Radiology file room at the medical center where images were stored and request a CD of the images to be sent to me, and then I mailed it directly to Mayo Radiology Oncology to uploaded and returned to me. I now request a CD from Mayo when I have imaging at Mayo to take back to my local Radiology file departments. I keep the original CDs with me at home.

Mayo Radiation Oncology did a beautiful job of summarizing my nodule history in their consult note and running it through their advanced AI analysis system for overall prognosis and gave me a “Canary” score of Good.

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That’s great advice. The next time I’m that way I will drop In and get the image from Novant on a CD.

You’re helpful as always! And best of luck in April !

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May I also add that my husband is a 70 yr old long time smoker , quit 5 years ago with a 9mm nodule they have been following (CT Scans) every six months for two years with No change. They will now scan once a year but will keep an eye on it. Good News is out there!

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Absolutely question it, have it checked out, whatever it takes to get answers. I've been fortunate to have a great pulmonologist and primary care doctor that followed through on everything that was found. We've been following a nodule since 2018. In 2022, three more nodules showed up. In 2023, the main one doubled in size. Result was non small cell cancer. When I had the partial lobectomy, they found one of the nodules showed the cancer had spread, one of the nodules was valley fever and the last was benign. Nonetheless, I am no doing chemo because of the spread. I'm fortunate that I'm only at stage 2 because of the continual and vigilant monitoring. Biopsies can be done easily now, robotically if needed. It's worth checking out.

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Absolutely agree! Best of luck on your journey!

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