1. < Lung Cancer

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

skm101 | @skm101 | Feb 19 2:00pm
In reply to @lls8000 "@skm101, welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sorry that you are having to go through this, but..." + (show)
@lls8000

@skm101, welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sorry that you are having to go through this, but I'm glad that you found us. Feeling scared of the unknown is expected. Having more information from the results of the scans and tests will only fill in the gaps and help you to know what to expect.
My cancer was identified at a late stage, with spread to the liver and lymph nodes. The lymph nodes in the center of my chest were enlarged and were placing pressure on my windpipe and esophagus. The largest lymph node at the time of diagnosis was 1.2 cm. Different radiologists will describe enlarged lymph nodes differently, but they usually include an approximate measurement. I had a recent scan that showed lymph node at 2.5cm, but it was confirmed to be fungal, not cancer! Enlarged lymph nodes can mean your body is fighting an infection or fungus, or simply inflammation. It doesn't always mean cancer.

Take a deep breath and try to relax a bit. I'm glad you are having a PET scan this week. Do you have a nodule along with the lymph node activity? Did this show up on a routine screening exam, or were you experiencing symptoms?

Jump to this post

I had 2 surgeries since Oct and I was feeling different when breathing some. I had a routine Dr appt and mentioned it. She did blood work and I has a D-dimer of over 2000. She wanted at CT scan then. It showed a nodule in posterior right upper lobe, one inflamed Hilar lymph node and another questionable one. She now wants a PET scan but insurance is being difficult.

I'm so glad for you that yours is not cancerous. If I understand correctly, you had just abnormal lymph nodes, no nodule or mass. Is that correct?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Feb 19 12:45pm
In reply to @skm101 "May I ask the process you did to be a patient of Mayo?" + (show)
@skm101

May I ask the process you did to be a patient of Mayo?

Jump to this post

@skm101 , You may want to wait to see what the PET scan shows before reaching out for a second opinion or transfer to one of the Mayo locations, but just in case you need it, here is a link to request an appointment: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
IF this is a cancer, there are also many well-respected cancer centers around the world. If you are in the US, the National Cancer Institute has a list of designated cancer centers here:
https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Feb 19 12:30pm
In reply to @skm101 "May I ask about your diagnosis? Specifically how were your lymph nodes characterized? Swollen? Size? Your..." + (show)
@skm101

May I ask about your diagnosis? Specifically how were your lymph nodes characterized? Swollen? Size?

Your words about your life are very helpful for me, thank you.

Jump to this post

@skm101, welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sorry that you are having to go through this, but I'm glad that you found us. Feeling scared of the unknown is expected. Having more information from the results of the scans and tests will only fill in the gaps and help you to know what to expect.
My cancer was identified at a late stage, with spread to the liver and lymph nodes. The lymph nodes in the center of my chest were enlarged and were placing pressure on my windpipe and esophagus. The largest lymph node at the time of diagnosis was 1.2 cm. Different radiologists will describe enlarged lymph nodes differently, but they usually include an approximate measurement. I had a recent scan that showed lymph node at 2.5cm, but it was confirmed to be fungal, not cancer! Enlarged lymph nodes can mean your body is fighting an infection or fungus, or simply inflammation. It doesn't always mean cancer.

Take a deep breath and try to relax a bit. I'm glad you are having a PET scan this week. Do you have a nodule along with the lymph node activity? Did this show up on a routine screening exam, or were you experiencing symptoms?

REPLY
1 reply
dianemb | @dianemb | Feb 18 7:49pm
In reply to @skm101 "May I ask the process you did to be a patient of Mayo?" + (show)
@skm101

May I ask the process you did to be a patient of Mayo?

Jump to this post

My husband emailed initially and was advised to send my records . So he did and the clinic took me on. I had to undergo lots of tests, the same as with my first cancer clinic. It was a frightening time. I’ve been in one clinical trial that showed no progress, two standard treatments, one immunotherapy and now in a second clinical trial that seems to be working. I wish you good health.

REPLY
skm101 | @skm101 | Feb 18 3:34pm
In reply to @detroitmom23 "After meeting with radiologist it was decided that I would do chemo first and radiation after...." + (show)
@detroitmom23

After meeting with radiologist it was decided that I would do chemo first and radiation after. This is because my lung cancer has spread to lymph node in my neck and too large of an area to do radiation on. I’m trying to remain hopeful but this does not sound like good news to me. I’m terrified to start chemo, having heard so many horror stories. Anyone else have to start with chemo first ? How did your chemo treatments go?

Jump to this post

Would you be comfortable telling me what they said about your lymph nodes on the CT report or any report? How were they characterized?

REPLY
skm101 | @skm101 | Feb 18 2:59pm
In reply to @lls8000 "I know it’s hard, there will be support to help you through if needed. In the..." + (show)
@lls8000

I know it’s hard, there will be support to help you through if needed. In the early days I tried to focus on what I knew TODAY and what I could do about it, if anything. That helped me to stay focused. IF it is cancer your doctors will generally only talk prognosis when a patient is ready or asks about it. Some won’t ever make a prediction. No one has an expiration date stamped on their forehead. 🙂 Myself included!
I do have stage IV lung cancer with metastasis to the lymph nodes and liver. I was diagnosed almost three years ago, and I’m doing great. I just finished a 3 mile snowshoe. I’m on a high-tech targeted therapy that stops the cancer from growing, hopefully for years to come. I know that eventually my cancer will find a way around the treatment, but until then I have a good quality of life, and I try to do what makes me happy each day.
Take care, hugs, Lisa

Jump to this post

May I ask about your diagnosis? Specifically how were your lymph nodes characterized? Swollen? Size?

Your words about your life are very helpful for me, thank you.

REPLY
1 reply
skm101 | @skm101 | Feb 18 2:26pm
In reply to @dianemb "I went through the same. Primary clinic thought I had bronchitis, did not treat me for..." + (show)
@dianemb

I went through the same. Primary clinic thought I had bronchitis, did not treat me for cough, had eye inflammation for two months, was treated for pneumonia three times, eventually different physician ordered a ct scan and found nsc lung cancer. I am 70 and am in clinical trial with Mayo.

Jump to this post

May I ask the process you did to be a patient of Mayo?

REPLY
2 replies
skm101 | @skm101 | Feb 18 2:15pm
In reply to @nonobaddog "Surgery would be a great treatment if it could remove the cancer and be done with..." + (show)
@nonobaddog

Surgery would be a great treatment if it could remove the cancer and be done with it. But for me, and many others, surgery is not an option because of the location(s) of the cancer. Once they tell you that you cannot have surgery, then the other treatments start looking better.

Jump to this post

Where is yours located that makes it not operable?

REPLY
1 reply
skm101 | @skm101 | Feb 18 2:13pm
In reply to @jennkrumz "I had a ct guided biopsy and it was very quick and easy, same day ordeal..." + (show)
@jennkrumz

I had a ct guided biopsy and it was very quick and easy, same day ordeal usually. They will give you some pain meds. My nodule was at the very top of my right lung. This was in 2021. Im still here fighting the good fight!

Jump to this post

I'm so glad you are fighting the good fight! Did you biopsy show cancer? If so, what treatments are you doing? Mines in same area.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.