Connect
Multifocal Adenocarcinoma of the lung, continual recurrences
We have multifocal adenocarcinoma of the lung. @linda10 and @sakota.- Please join me in this discussion.
For a short explanation of this tongue twister. Briefly, Multifocal Adenocarcinoma (MAC) of the lung is a clinical entity of multiple synchronous (less than 6 months) or metachronous (more than 6 months), often ground-glass opacities (GGO) on CT scan, typically indolent-behaving cancers. There is a scarce amt of clinical data to guide treatment decisions.
This came from http://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2017.35.15_suppl.e20041.
This means that more than one potential cancerous lesion, mostly ground glass, shows up at a time. For instance I had 3 cancerous lesions 10 years ago in my left lung and in the same area. They were all different sizes. They grow at different rates.
Multifocal adenocarcinoma is a very complex cancer because the medical profession doesn't know if the ground glass lesions are the primary cancer or small metastases of another primary cancer. They don't even know where they start..
Multifocal Adenocarcinoma has sub types and it's management is based on whether it's indolent or very virulent.
These are very simplistic explanations. Even doctors are confused by it and it's only been within the last twenty years that they have separated it from a Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma (BAC).
The constant recurrences are the buggers. Not only do we have to constantly face lots of CT scans but when lung cells change, which they often do, we are in terror of another virulent cancer. I presently have several ground glass lesions. And I have had many that have disappeared. It's enough to drive you nuts and PTSD is exacerbated by the frequency of these devils.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.
Connect
My CT-scans don't talk about COPD, although it got added to my list of health issues, maybe because they sent me home from the hospital with night oxygen (which I no longer need). However, the last scan mentions "Stable probable UIP pattern fibrotic interstitial lung disease, mildly increased compared to scan six months ago". Not sure what that means for me. I have been increasing my exercise load in cardiac rehab and oxygen levels holding well (88 or higher during exercise). I can easily walk my usual 35–40-minute route. Despite having VAT surgery, Covid, coronary stent, and even an isolated arthritic flareup of the hands in the last six months, I am currently walking around like nothing happened.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHello Vic. I had a 1 cm nodule in lower left lung and a lobectomy in March. Ground glass with some thickening, if you will, on one outer edge. Adenocarcinoma (determined by needle biopsy). Also, 4mm in upper right which (may) be scar tissue and 6 mm in right center lobe, undetermined. Have follow up CT scan in September. Just waiting to see if both of these are stable.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsYEAH!! I have COPD and emphysema from smoking for 35 years. Sometimes it's difficult to tell which one affects me most. When I have a COPD flare-up, it's usually for a short period of time and I can help with some tricks of the trade.
Do you have any Vic?
Greetings all. Had another CT-Scan today. Bilateral semisolid and groundglass pulmonary nodules (suspicious for multifocal lung adenocarcinoma) remain stable. Additional scattered tiny solid pulmonary nodules are stable.
So I just wait until the next scan in 3 months.
Anyone also have other non-nodule issues in lungs?
Found this article on multifocal:
https://www.jto.org/article/S1556-0864(18)30964-X/fulltext
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsBest of luck today
Thinking of you @sjones55 as you recover from surgery. I look forward to hearing from you when you're back online.
What are your plans now? WIll you seek a second opinion?
All that was told to me over the phone was that it's cancer. The report I was directed to in the patient portal says, "Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma. The CK7 is positive with generally negative TTF1, negative CK20 and CDX2, whatever that means! It seems that I haven't been kept too well informed. It has happened rather quickly, though, so maybe that's why.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionWhy thank you. After having this for so long it's a part of life for me that I have learned to live with. Have you been told that this is what you have, multifocal adeno cancer? Is this why you have had so many surgeries?
So sorry that you're going through this, Merry. Cancer is a scary monster and most of us can't begin to know how difficult it must be to deal with it AND with PTSD. Just wanted you to know that I'm praying for you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction