Emphysema "additional finding" after lobectomy: What next?

Posted by donnademps @donnademps, May 10 5:15pm

I am recovering well from my rt lower lobectomy even tho I have numbness under breasts and nerve pain along ribs that were cut thru for a RAT surgery. I just found the pathology report and in the "additonal finding", I see "emphysema. The oncologist I saw post op did not mention it nor did the thoracic surgeon who completed the lobectomy. I'm curious to know if anyone knows what this means, or if anyone else has this "additional finding" on their report? I have zero symptoms at this point and wonder how they found it and what it means?

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denzie | @denzie | May 10 6:24pm

They found it during my original diagnosis 15 years ago. I've experienced no progression or symptoms of it. I'm

donnademps | @donnademps | May 11 8:16am

In reply to @denzie "They found it during my original diagnosis 15 years ago. I've experienced no progression or symptoms..." + (show)

@denzie Many thanks for this. Good to know it hasn't progressed for you.

flgirl3 | @flgirl3 | May 17 8:29am

I am almost 6 weeks from lower left lung surgery . Emphysema was noted on my additional findings as well and nothing was mentioned… and I forgot to ask. It was not mentioned in my PFT test prior to surgery.

donnademps | @donnademps | May 17 3:59pm

I will wait to ask whatever specialist I see next. My PFT test was GREAT, so I was surprised at the additional finding on my report was "emphysema". I will have a CT scan, so will ask my surgeon at that point. I suppose I'm not concerned at this point or I would be calling everyone I could ask. I will update my post after my CT scan that has yet to be scheduled yet. I hope if you learn anything more, you will do so as well. Thanks for replying.

slaw61 | @slaw61 | May 18 10:42am

I wonder if they are seeing “subcutaneous emphysema” from air or gas left from the surgery. This is from one of my CT scans after surgery…”Residual subcutaneous emphysema left chest walk”. It is from the surgery and is usually reabsorbed by the body. I guess some people can feel it but I never did. Of course, I was walking around with a fairly sizable pneumothorax for about 8 months after surgery and only knew about it from the CT scans.🤷🏻‍♀️

My breathing tests before surgery were all good, too. And I’ve had about 5 scans since surgery and none mention emphysema anymore.

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