Multifocal Adenocarcinoma of the lung, continual recurrences

I googled and found ground glass opacification.

Hi Merry,
How are you doing?
I am about to start my first series of radiation treatments. After two VAT wedge resections (RUL & LUL), I will start out just doing one nodule instead of two (safer to avoid pneumonitis) and do the second nodule 3 months or so down the road. It will be SBRT with Photon. Proton requires a more solid nodule. Thankfully I have original Medicare so either is covered. Proton is very expensive.
So how many more nodules do I have to do to catch up to you? Note-that is my idea of humor.
But all these PET scans with the special diet. Anybody know something good to eat? For my PET scan this week I had one hardboiled egg and one hard cheese stick for breakfast. Ugh. They promised me more PET scans, so I need some ideas!
Fortunately, my nerve pain from VAT nine weeks ago is doing much better and I am tapering off the Gabapentin.
Well just wanted to keep the Multifocal thread going!
P.S. I am at Mayo and can go to a closer Mayo Radiation Oncology Center in Northfield. Anyone gone there?

Hi Merry - you had suggested I post on this blog. I have multifocal disease. I had a RUL March 15, 2023. Three separate primaries in lobe identified. Adenocarcinoma.

They are monitoring 3 smaller lesions in my left lung which are staggered between both left lobes. These were stable between the Jan and March 2023 scans. My next scan is in September. I honestly had no idea what was going on until I found Mayo Connect. My pulmonologist did describe multifocal disease and said my chance of recurrence was higher, but I don't think I really understood until now.

I have emphesema and have been on 24 hour oxygen since August.
I was diagnosed last January with multifocal carcinoma in both lungs.
Numerous nodules 4 are greater than 1 cm with the largest 14x14 mm.
Going back to Mayo clinic in Jacksonville in October for 4 month follow up and cat scan. Dr A mentioned robotic bx on one of the larger nodules. I have a total of 14 nodules but much smaller.
Last Monday I had a severe HA and blamed it on high blood pressure 200/104
Called my daughter who is a nurse practitioner and was told to test for covid... positive.
Started on molnupuravir, zpac, dexamethasone and Mucinex
Feel better but having increased shortness of breath
I'm concerned that covid could affect my nodules. Unable to find an answer on Google.

I had to have both hips replaced in 1994 due to AVN.
Had revision surgery in 2018.
2 weeks ago my right revision failed and hip slips out of joint with certain movements. Able to get around using a waker.
Appointment at UAB August 24th. Local Orthopedic doctor won't touch me...
Tried to get an appointment at Mayo but no appointments til after January and I can't wait that long. I have fallen twice in 2 weeks.

Any feedback on these nodules and covid is appreciated.
Thanks
Mary

Very sorry to hear about your difficulties. It is a lot to deal with.
I have Multifocal (in both lungs, but mostly right lung) and tested positive for Covid twice since my multifocal diagnosis (Dec 2021). I cannot answer about any impact on nodules, just my experience. Covid is a virus causing respiratory illness - so anyone with problem lungs does not want to catch it.
My first Covid was four weeks after my first VAT surgery despite my complete isolation. I noticed I was not as strong as I thought I should be week by week and I had developed a productive cough. They told me to get tested. I was positive. I was prescribed Molnupuravir (Paxlovid, much more effective, was not available). But M. cleared up my cough right away with no further complications. Nothing unusual on following scans. Interestingly I was four months out from my last Covid vaccine - the point where protection really drops off.
My second Covid occurred 8 months later. I knew I had been exposed so was tested and was positive. But I barely had a "headache". Again I was 4 months out from last Covid vaccine. I had a recent Stent placed so I was taking Plavix which meant I could not take Paxlovid drug. Mayo set me up with a monoclonal treatment. I was fine. My nodules have only done what we expected them to do.
Best wishes for recovery.

Hi @marymunzel, you've been through so much, but sound strong and determined. Many lung cancer patients have been through Covid, and from what I understand, lung tissue can be impacted differently depending on the person. I have no residual effects of having Covid nearly a year ago (but I'm not monitoring any nodules either).
The wait-and-watch game is not always an easy one, but that's what commonly happens in these cases. Keep us posted on what you find in October. Did you have a previous lung biopsy, that led to the multifocal carcinoma diagnosis?

@balevine, I'm glad you came here, and have been able to learn more about multifocal disease. The schedule of continual scans and doctor appointments is never fun, but if it keeps us on top of any growth, it's worth it! Wishing you the best going forward, and no changes for your September scans.

Hi all!
I also have multiple (2) nodules. Both adenocarcinomas but not related: genomic analysis did show two different rare mutations…. Lucky me 😜🙄 I was diagnosed in March 2023 and since then two surgeries: no metastasis detected. My first six months CT shows no new nodules. I am 53 yo diagnosed at 52. I am trying to be positive and my pulmonologist is very optimistic: since I am stage 1a for both cancers the oncologist follows me through the pulmonologist.
A new year is going to start soon and for all of us I wish a new year full of joy since I am realizing you can be happy even with cancer!

Have they ever done biomarker testing to see if targeted or immunotherapy would help?

@raffi Hello! I have not posted in a long time. I was first diagnosed in early 2011. Since then, I have had 4 surgeries and 2 different radiations. All of my cancers were different types of adenocarcinoma, and all 1a. I have scans anywhere from 3 month intervals, to 6 month intervals, to now, as of my last scan, a much welcomed 1 year interval! Please just live your life. None of us are promised tomorrow.
I live a wonderfully normal life. Multifocal lung cancer is a whole different type of lung cancer. May you have a wonderful New Year and embrace your new normal.