Mass on lung and lymph nodes

Posted by detroitmom23 @detroitmom23, Jan 4, 2023

I had a routine Cat Scan about a month ago and found large mass in lung and probability of surrounding lymph nodes. I have consultation this week to discuss best approach to biopsy and also setting up Pet scan. I’m beyond devastated and scared. I heard the needle biopsy is miserable. I feel certain I’m facing death and perhaps worse thing is telling my two adult daughters who already lost their dad when they were kids.

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@bellsina71

I feel so bad for you! None of us are expecting this. I have a Pet scan on Jan 25th. I already survived colon cancer which was genetic. I actually visited my cancer doctor in November and all my blood results were completely normal and they check everything! I take care of my 5 year old granddaughter and the thought of leaving her or my mom behind is more heartbreaking than I can stand. One bit of hope I can give you is that my pulmonary doctor did say that just because a mass is a certain size, does not mean that all of that is cancer. The cancer may be a much smaller area with other cells around it. Did they tell you anything about the lymph nodes? I will keep you in my thoughts! I am so, SO sorry you are going through this and you're not alone!!

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@bellsina71 how are you doing today?

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As I go through the nerve wracking period of waiting to get PET scan and biopsy done on lung, I was wondering if anyone else had symptoms that included shoulder pain, ear pain and even achy teeth. This is what sent me to Dr for cat scan in first place. It was at that time he suggested a lung screen and that’s when mass was found in lung. The neck scan showed nothing in neck. Waiting for results of head MRI done 2 days ago.

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@bellsina71

If anyone can help me because I am so scared! Went to the ER the other night because I was spitting up blood, they did a CT and found a 5.7 cm mass on lung. Saw a doctor in pumology today and he told me that the mas was not very dense, and said generally cancer is more dense but said that didn't mean it wasn't. Also no surrounding lymph nodes were swollen, which I hope is good? He did a procalcitonin test for infections, there is no infection so leads me to think it's C?! I have a PET scan in 2 weeks. I should ad that I see a oncologist regularly yearly and just saw him in November with all blood work normal, less than 2 months later and blood work is INSANE! Shouldn't something have shown up if this was cancer? I get these blood panels done yearly. I am really frightened, any info is greatly appreciated.

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@bellsina71, this is a repeat of the response I wrote to you in another discussion. But it bears repeating perhaps? 🙂 Spitting up blood and being told you have a mass on your lungs is scary. There's no doubt about that! There are many different types of growths that can form in the lungs that are not cancer. Sometimes these may be benign conditions that are easy to treat or don't even require treatment. Lung nodules (or mass) are very common.

IF your mass is cancer, then you are doing everything right. You are in medical care and a PET scan has been scheduled.

The hardest job you have now is to de-stress while you wait. Not easy I know. But remember that no matter the outcome, being of healthy mind and body is your best bet. What things help you feel calm or distract you?

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@colleenyoung

@detroitmom23, thinking of you as you prepare for more testing this coming week. Did you find out how the biopsy will be done?

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Thank you for thinking of me, it’s much appreciated. They are doing bronchoscope and putting me under general anesthesia. I’m so grateful for that. Brain MRI done yesterday, PET scan next Saturday and Biopsy two days later. . Just numb dealing with all this 😞. Prayers appreciated!

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@detroitmom23

Your pulmonary dr telling you that usually cancer masses are more dense than yours is a hopeful sign. I know how scared you are trust me. I wasn’t expecting this at 59 years old. I had MRI done on brain this morning because of ear and neck pain. Pet scan and biopsy next week. I’m an emotional wreck. My mass is 7 mm. Surreal to be going through this.

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@detroitmom23, thinking of you as you prepare for more testing this coming week. Did you find out how the biopsy will be done?

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@bellsina71

I also found out I have a mass on my lung. I am scared beyond anything imaginable!! I have no symptoms at all besides the fact that I started spitting up blood the other night. I went to the ER, they did a CT and found the mass. Saw the pumologist today and he told me that the lymph nodes by the mass are all normal, also stated that cancer is usually more dense than this mass is, but couldn't say it wasn't cancer. I had a pocalcitonin test done to check for an infection, that was normal, so it leads me to believe it will not be good. I have a PET scan in 2 weeks. I am so upset. I hope you'll be ok!! I really do!

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@bellsina71, I can certainly understand how scared you must be. A lung nodule (or mass) is a small abnormal area that is sometimes found during a CT scan of the chest. It's natural that your first thought leaps right to cancer. There are many different types of growths that can form in the lungs that are easy to treat or don't even require treatment. @deedee1981's story is a good example of a mass not being cancerous.

IF your mass is cancer, then you are doing everything right. You are in medical care and a PET scan has been scheduled.

The hardest job you have now is to de-stress while you wait. Not easy I know. But remember that no matter the outcome, being of healthy mind and body is your best bet. What things help you feel calm or distract you?

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@bellsina71

I started wheezing the other night and hacked up bright red blood. Went to the ER and they did a CT scan, found a 5.7cm mass on right lung. Saw the Pulmonary doctor today and he said he wants me to get a PET scan, also said the surrounding lymph nodes all looked normal, and generally cancer is more dense: the mass in my lung is not that dense. He ran a procalcitonin test to check for an infection, but those results are normal. I'm terrifed that this is cancer! I'm 52, and have had no other symptoms except the blood. Not tired, no weight loss, nothing but if it's not an infection, it's something?! I am so scared!!! I feel so bad for everyone on this board. Can they do alot for lung cancers now a days?

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I was told I probably had cancer after a 3.7 cm mass was found in my left lung. A lot of ground glass opacities and atelectasis. After 2 CT scans and a PET scan over 2 months didn’t show a change, even though I had taken several antibiotics, I made an appointment at the Mayo Clinic. My first pulmonologist at home said “it had to come out”. So I wanted the best if I needed an operation.
After my consultation in Rochester and another CT to prepare for the robotic bronchoscopy…….the “mass” had shrunk by half. According to the pulmonologist “cancer doesn’t shrink”. It is suspected that I have a fungal infection. I will go back in 2 months for a repeat CT to see if it has continued to shrink. So don’t lose hope. I was preparing for the worse case scenario and got good news. If I need a biopsy later I will write back.

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@bellsina71

I feel so bad for you! None of us are expecting this. I have a Pet scan on Jan 25th. I already survived colon cancer which was genetic. I actually visited my cancer doctor in November and all my blood results were completely normal and they check everything! I take care of my 5 year old granddaughter and the thought of leaving her or my mom behind is more heartbreaking than I can stand. One bit of hope I can give you is that my pulmonary doctor did say that just because a mass is a certain size, does not mean that all of that is cancer. The cancer may be a much smaller area with other cells around it. Did they tell you anything about the lymph nodes? I will keep you in my thoughts! I am so, SO sorry you are going through this and you're not alone!!

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I also have a 5 year old granddaughter and it breaks my heart to think about leaving her, my two daughters and my husband . Heartbreaking to think about life going on without me. I haven’t told my daughters yet and won’t u til I finish my tests and get the full picture. Telling them is going to be heartbreaking. My mom died last year and dad been gone for a long time. I’m glad my mom not here to witness this. I’m sorry about your colon cancer and now facing new fears. What part of the country do you live in? Are you going to Mayo Clinic!

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@detroitmom23

Your pulmonary dr telling you that usually cancer masses are more dense than yours is a hopeful sign. I know how scared you are trust me. I wasn’t expecting this at 59 years old. I had MRI done on brain this morning because of ear and neck pain. Pet scan and biopsy next week. I’m an emotional wreck. My mass is 7 mm. Surreal to be going through this.

Jump to this post

I feel so bad for you! None of us are expecting this. I have a Pet scan on Jan 25th. I already survived colon cancer which was genetic. I actually visited my cancer doctor in November and all my blood results were completely normal and they check everything! I take care of my 5 year old granddaughter and the thought of leaving her or my mom behind is more heartbreaking than I can stand. One bit of hope I can give you is that my pulmonary doctor did say that just because a mass is a certain size, does not mean that all of that is cancer. The cancer may be a much smaller area with other cells around it. Did they tell you anything about the lymph nodes? I will keep you in my thoughts! I am so, SO sorry you are going through this and you're not alone!!

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@detroitmom23

Your pulmonary dr telling you that usually cancer masses are more dense than yours is a hopeful sign. I know how scared you are trust me. I wasn’t expecting this at 59 years old. I had MRI done on brain this morning because of ear and neck pain. Pet scan and biopsy next week. I’m an emotional wreck. My mass is 7 mm. Surreal to be going through this.

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Do you have access to a good hospital in your area?

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