lung nodule

2.5 years ago I had a nodule, spiculated in RUL. After CT scan and PET scan Mayo proposed VAT surgery. They said it would be just one night in hospital. They had new process where they do biopsy (bronchoscopy) and if it looks suspicious, take it out then and there and not wait for a pathology result to come back. I also had the option to wait and see. Given my age I thought that waiting would only make it harder on my body when I needed to do surgery, and perhaps a more extensive one. I thought that for only one night in hospital, I wanted it out. They did tell me that 80% chance it was cancer. I am glad I did it! It was cancer, stage 1b (b not "a" because of size). I had VAT surgery wedge resection. Of course surgery comes with potential for complications, like nerve issues. But I did not want to risk cancer spread.

According to my infectious medicine, doctor, nodules are usually an infection, inflammation, or even bleeding. Have you been able to see an infectious medicine doctor? Do you have Mac Or bronchiectasis? I watch YouTube videos from the Jewish health Institute. They are experts on lung problems. Perhaps you can find some information there. I hope this helps.

I had a nodule too, found May 22 which doubled in size over a year and became spiculated. RUL. Size 12x8 mm. Because of the location in the RUL, the Thoracic Surgeon recommended doing a VAT wedge resection. He said there was a 90% chance of it being cancer but he wouldn't know for sure till it was removed. I did have a PET CT done, which hardly had any uptake, less than 1—You would have thought that that would mean: not cancer? Regardless, I decided to have the wedge resection 3 weeks ago. I spent 2 days in the hospital. Home and doing well now, off all medication and can walk 3 miles without any trouble.
I glad that I listened to people in here and the doctor because it turned out to be adenocarcinoma stage 1a2. Caught very early.

how are you feeling now? how is your breathing capacity after surgery? any changes? i'm wishing you well.

I relate! The Pulmonologist asked me if I would be mad at him if it weren't cancer. I thought to myself that I would be happy if it weren't cancer!!!! And of course I was happy I had it out because it was cancer!

After my first VAT, I caught Covid so that slowed things down but I was driving my car a week later, and was off pain meds 4 days after leaving the hospital. It felt like a tight belt around my chest, but that went away after four months. My second VAT was harder because of a fractured rib. But that too passed. Almost a year later I just have a little weird tingling when I touch that side, nothing to get excited about.
Regarding breathing, one must cough in the beginning to get rid of junk in the lungs and to walk and walk and keep walking! I had shortness of breath before any surgery. My O2 levels fall with exertion. It is now worse but I have other things going on in my lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) and the SBRT last August caused a pneumonitis and may still be giving me some problems. So the cause has to be determined.

thank you for your reply. glad to know you are doing well in spite of some challenges.
last scan i had used the word, spiculated to describe margins. Your reply helped set my mind at ease. ill research some of descriptions you used. hope is my friend right now.
thank you

I have a 1.5 cm lobulated lung nodule. What is the likelyhood of my nodule to be malignant..

My first cancerous nodule was spiculated on CT Scan

Welcome to Mayo Connect @darospi02. Most lung nodules are not cancerous. Many people have lung nodules that never grow and are only found accidently. More nodules are being found as lung screening tests become more common. That's a good thing! But it's also scary when you are the patient. How was the nodule identified? What is your doctor recommending, a follow up scan?