Standardized uptake value (SUV) 5.4 and 4.8 mean nodules cancerous?

I can understand your surprise, @skm101. But the term used by the radiologist was "physiological" (meaning related to the body and its function) not "psychological" (related to the mental or emotional state).

@amyb5, did your radiologist or oncologist explain what was meant by "as possibly physiological, correlate with exam/symptoms"?

Hi Lisa,

I met with my doctor today on my bronchology(sp) results. They biopsied 4 lymph nodes and a "wash " of the lung. They found no malignancy result BUT they say something made the lymph nodes and nodule (12mm) light up. They implied that the biopsy was very small and the nodule's perimeter is jagged. The tests for other reasons for it to light up, like fungus, etc were negative. Because there are no answers I am back to not knowing anything. I was given 3 choices:

1) do nothing
2) have a biopsy from the chest. The needle would be larger and they would biopsy the nodule
3) remove a wedge of the lung containing the nodule. He said this is not a small surgery and much recovery time.

He said doing a nodule biopsy could leave us still not knowing but the big surgery would give us a definitive answer.

Has anyone gone through this that you know of? Lisa or anyone?

Although I was not pressured I am meeting with a surgeon when his/her office calls me to set an appointment, and then set up a surgery date.

Do you have any thoughts on this?

My reports on the branch biopsies said no malignancies found. I was blind sided today, I never thought they would say that the biopsies were inconclusive. I understand that they are wanting me to proceed because the answer on why my PET scan lit up and they don't want to miss something but heavens I can't take much more. I have had back surgery in Oct, Rotator cuff surgery in early Feb, my Ex who left me after 26 years is still taking me back to court and I have a 96 yr old blind father who tries but has never been in my court the way I have seen other fathers.

Sorry TMI but it is where I am at.

Hi Lisa,

I met with my doctor today on my bronchology(sp) results. They biopsied 4 lymph nodes and a "wash " of the lung. They found no malignancy result BUT they say something made the lymph nodes and nodule (12mm) light up. They implied that the biopsy was very small and the nodule's perimeter is jagged. The tests for other reasons for it to light up, like fungus, etc were negative. Because there are no answers I am back to not knowing anything. I was given 3 choices:

1) do nothing
2) have a biopsy from the chest. The needle would be larger and they would biopsy the nodule
3) remove a wedge of the lung containing the nodule. He said this is not a small surgery and much recovery time.

He said doing a nodule biopsy could leave us still not knowing but the big surgery would give us a definitive answer.

Has anyone gone through this that you know of? Lisa or anyone?

Although I was not pressured I am meeting with a surgeon when his/her office calls me to set an appointment, and then set up a surgery date.

Do you have any thoughts on this?

My reports on the branch biopsies said no malignancies found. I was blind sided today, I never thought they would say that the biopsies were inconclusive. I understand that they are wanting me to proceed because the answer on why my PET scan lit up and they don't want to miss something but heavens I can't take much more. I have had back surgery in Oct, Rotator cuff surgery in early Feb, my Ex who left me after 26 years is still taking me back to court and I have a 96 yr old blind father who tries but has never been in my court the way I have seen other fathers.

Sorry TMI but it is where I am at.

My husband is also facing uncertainty now.

Lower left lobe lung cancer was easily diagnosed. Lobectomy went soomthly and recovery was quick.

However next CT revealed a new small mass on adrenal gland. Pet lit up. MRI “suggests” mestasticized from lung but mass cannot be viewed on slide bc its inbtwn slices .Biopsy says non-malignant but perhaps tumor moved our of way of needle..

Now what? Should adrenal gland be removed?

I would be inclined to ask an oncologist whether it is important now to understand if the adrenal mass is primary or secondary? It’s a common destination on the metastes highway, and the PET lit up. So time seems precious. But there are a lot of non-dangerous reasons a mass can light up a PET.

You can function normally with a piece of one adrenal gland. But if you want to keep for now,
the biopsy attempt needs to be repeated. Can they do a robotic attempt?

Thanks for your reply. Is knowing if primary or secondary mass essential?

Hubby”s had 2 adjunct chemo treatments thus far post Lobectomy. He just saw oncology surgeon who thinks biopsy needle might have missed the malignancy in the small mass. Both oncologist and surgeon say to finish 2 remaining chemos, then redo radiologies. If mass remains, then Adrenalectomy. At that time I will ask about robotic biopsy.

Is this a good plan?

Hi @skm101 , These decisions are never easy! I understand that you want answers, and soon, but remember that you are in good condition, fortunate to have choices, and you do have some time to make this decision.
I know the last thing you may need, is another option, :), but there are hospitals that are performing robotic assisted bronchoscopy which allows deeper access into the lung and better results than traditional bronchoscopy. Possibly a medical system in your area might offer anything like this?
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-how-robotic-assisted-bronchoscopy-benefits-patients/
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/robotic-assisted-bronchoscopy-faq

It makes a lot of sense to me because it’s straight from the doc. And they seem to assume that if the adrenal mass is derived from the lung mass, it will react to chemo he’s taking for that. Makes sense to me.
I am no substitute for a doc so I’m happy you have the guidance from them. Stay in touch!