MAC and Lung Cancer

Hi Barbara,
It has to be really hard to wait on those results. I'm really sorry you're dealing with this and hope you get them soon. Did you have the bronchoscopy you were leaning toward? Keep us posted on your results.

@pacathy
Hi Cathy, I found out late yesterday that the PET scan showed High activity so the Dr. is scheduling me for a Bronchoscopy/Biopsy. He said he doesn't think it's more MAC disease because it grew too fast. It's either a new infection, inflammation or it is cancer. Thanks for responding to my post.Barbara

@bbeers I'm so sorry. I'm not too surprised since info I looked at indicated PET could bd positive with infections, too. I think your doc is trying to be very thorough.
Keep us posted on how the bronchoscopy goes. Sending you the best wishes!

@pacathy Thanks Cathy, appreciate you responding to me.

Hi Barbara,
How long has it been since your last CT? And what size are the nodules? It's not good news to hear, more spots or nodules. I sure hope it's a treatable infection. I had a CT in August, which was a follow up CT from May, and I had a new 8 mm nodule in just 3 months, my NJH Dr wanted a 2-month follow up. I asked her if she thought it was cancer and she didn't think so because it grew too fast-just the opposite of what your dr told you. I was diagnosed last year with M. Abscessus, which is a fast-growing NTM, so who knows. Also, PETs are a waste of time for us with BE, since they cannot distinguish between cancer and infection. I went through that 20 years ago, and it was indeed an infection. I know it's scary. Please keep us posted, Kathy

@kathyjjb Hi Kathy,
The Dr. did not tell me the size of the nodule in the phone call and I forgot to ask. I am picking up a copy of the report today where I had the PET scan, so hopefully that will tell me. I am scheduled for Bronchoscopy/Biopsy Nov. 25th. I had a no change CT last March and then I had one beginning of Sept and that showed the first new spot. He put me on an antibiotic and then I waited a month and had another CT and that's when he saw the second one. Thanks for replying, will keep you posted. I have strong faith and a lot of friends praying for me so feeling hopeful. Have a nice weekend. Barb

I had positive pet scan years ago ( follow up from findings on chest Xray after pneumonia) and a top Dr in Phila advised to wait and watch - said it could be mold. (I avoided major lung surgery as was advised by other drs/surgeons) - watched it with periodic scans - stable - no changes for years - fast forward to now - I have MAC and possibly Aspergillus (mold) - found MAC accidentally via coronary calcium scan . No symptoms except very mild congestion. So Dr was right about the mold....

Yes, my first doctor kept telling me he wasn't ready to say the C word yet and he seemed baffled when no cancer was detected a year later. I found a new doctor , who done a ct and now he is concerned about cancer, but my lymph nodes were fine. Now he is eager to do a third biopsy asap or wait three months to do a new scan. I've read several comments about doctors suspecting cancer in Mac patients but was later found to be none. Good luck with everything.

@bbeers Hi Barb, I have never asked in the past about size but started to recently after learning size is important along with the rate of growth. Half the time anti-biotics don't work on me. I now send my sputum samples to NJH, since they will test for everything and then do susceptibility and determine which anti-biotic will work best. That's good to hear you got scheduled for the Bronchoscope-yes. definitely keep me posted. I certainly believe in the power of pray, I will pray for you as well. Thank you, and you have a nice weekend as well! Kathy

@jgb1997 Thank you for sharing this helpful info and welcome to the group.
I'm curious about your current treatment and plan. Have you started any meds? I'm also in Philly.