Multiple lung nodules: Might they be noncancerous? What next?

@felix536- Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Good morning, it's nice to meet you. I am the Mentor for the Lung Cancer group for Mayo Connect. As members, we can only share our own health experiences, and are we not able to provide a medical diagnosis.

I'm wondering what brought you to the doctor. Were you coughing, spitting up blood, trouble breathing?

I have what is called multifocal adenocarcinoma of the lung. Simply put, this is when several ground glass lesions show up in one or both lungs. Mine started out with 3 lesions in my left upper lung. Then 3 years later a single one along the surgical line of that surgery. I also have a lower left lesion that is being watched with very little change in over 5 years.

I want to state that I do not know enough about all lung cancers to say that only multi-focal adenocarcinomas present this way.

What kind of doctor are you seeing for this? Has anyone considered doing a biopsy?

Nodules were detected on a check ct scan in January by my Cardiologist. I was referred to a Pulmonologist and subsequent scans were taken in February, May and August (this month). A PET scan was done in May but the area where the 14mm nodule was not clear enough (due to breathing) to detect if there was any PET activated activity there. Also, on the May scan there were only a 4mm and 14mm nodules but on the August scan there was a 6mm nodule listed as "unchanged", that makes three. My Pulmonologist and I had a meeting with a Thoratic Surgeon are ok with waiting another 3 months but I am wondering if there are other more sophisticated tests for this condition that possibly they don't offer in this area that they might at UCLA or somewhere. Any ideas?

@felix536- You are getting very sophisticated testing already. Multiple lung lesions are all primary nodules that seem to begin as ground glass. What I would love is a test that would tell if the nodules are cancerous and should be treated, so others can be left alone! I have had a slew of nodules that have come and gone, and many little thingies hanging around, just taking up space.

Will you please join us in the Multifocal group?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/multifocal-adenocarcinoma-of-the-lung-continual-recurrences/

Thank you so much for your responses. I will join the Multifocal Group. May I ask what the size of your nodules were and are? And what type of surgery you had. I hope that you are feeling well and you sound very optimistic. Best to you!

Good morning- I don't remember the sizes of my nodules. Remember I've had many years of them. I have learned, over time to only pay attention to the ones that grow and cause concern. I used to think about all of them, but as they seemed to appear more often and didn't change I learned that not all were a problem unless they grew. There wasn't anything I could do anyway. If I thought about every lesion I would be crazier than I am now!

I have had two lobectomies. My second involved three different size lesions, all in my upper left lung. The attempt to used VATS for all three lesions failed. A third, and smallest lesion had grown into the pleura so a complete lobectomy was called for, followed later with chemo. About 3 years later I had to be zapped along the staple line because the chemo hadn't worked. I also had to have an SBRT zap in a small lesion in my right upper lung. No problem has popped up again with that one.

SBRT: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sbrt/pyc-20446794

Presently I am feeling great. I haven't had any lesions that have changed, as I think that I mentioned, in 4 years.

How are you feeling? What are your symptoms?

Thank you once again for sharing, this is very educational for me as a newby. I am happy to hear that you had positive results for the past four years and wonder how having two lobectomies has affected your breathing. I feel fine physically, do not have any symptoms of lung problems and functionality tests are great. My main concern is this 14mm lesion in my lower left lobe that is on the outside edge so difficult to biopsy. I will find out at next CT scan early November if there are changes and how to proceed. And wonder if I should be getting a second opinion with the large UCLA center on how to proceed. Watch and wait or attack that 14mm now? Pulmonologist says I'm at low risk. Your positive attitude is very inspiring!

Hello- If you are thinking that your care isn't adequate getting a second opinion would be the way to go. You could also ask for a consult where a doctor reviews your tests, scan, etc, and makes an opinion. I'm not sure what you are referring to as the outer edge of your lung.

But If I were you, with my inclinations and impatience I'd go for a second opinion. Does this help?

@felix536 , From reading back it sounds like you aren’t sure if the nodules are cancerous. That can be such a scary time, the waiting is difficult. If you have any concerns, a second opinion can be a good idea. Many lung cancers aren’t found until later stages in the disease, making them more difficult to treat and impossible to cure. Try to feel fortunate that they found the nodules now and are keeping a close watch on them. An oncologist may be able to offer an opinion on waiting and watching versus biopsy. Everyone if different, wishing you the best, Lisa

Hi felix536- I'm checking in to see how you are doing and if you have sought a second opinion!

Thank you for checking in. Have not gone for a second opinion, decided to wait it out until early November (next ct scan). KInd of curious how long one waits. Maybe I'll find that out next visit. I hope all is going well with you!