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

They are usually very slow-growing, Mary. Over a number of years (at least 14 years I can't tell you how many have come and gone in me. I've had several zapped with radiation and 3 removed through surgery.

The one problem among many with lung cancer is making sure that even if there is only one tiny, bitsy lesion, the minuscule cancerous legion should be followed up with a CT scan, at least, once a year for life. I know, I know for life sounds outrageous but once you have cancer there will always be a chance that there will be more.

And what has been said before, a second opinion is always better. I had one but it turned out to be a team of doctors and all followed what my surgeon said and recommended. It's been about 4 or 5 years since my last cancer and he still follows me from my first adenocarcinoma that he removed 24 years ago this past October. At least once a year we have a meeting and a zoom meeting after every CT scan.

They are usually very slow-growing, Mary. Over a number of years (at least 14 years I can't tell you how many have come and gone in me. I've had several zapped with radiation and 3 removed through surgery.

The one problem among many with lung cancer is making sure that even if there is only one tiny, bitsy lesion, the minuscule cancerous legion should be followed up with a CT scan, at least, once a year for life. I know, I know for life sounds outrageous but once you have cancer there will always be a chance that there will be more.

And what has been said before, a second opinion is always better. I had one but it turned out to be a team of doctors and all followed what my surgeon said and recommended. It's been about 4 or 5 years since my last cancer and he still follows me from my first adenocarcinoma that he removed 24 years ago this past October. At least once a year we have a meeting and a zoom meeting after every CT scan.

@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?

@dongshiming, you ask "Can I request a particular provider?" I can answer how it works at Mayo Clinic.
Appointment specialists are specially trained to match you with the provider or group that's the best fit for your diagnosis and medical history. But you may wonder if you can request a specialist that you've read about or who's been recommended by a friend or colleague. Mayo Clinic can't honor all requests, but we try to when possible.

You can read more on this page of Frequently Asked Questions https://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments/faq

I will; it is a journey. They said it looks extremely slow growing.

I have a ground glass lesion, and the Oncology Dr (specializes in Nodules!!) said biopsy is impossible as they are lacey along the edges and hard to get tissue from. They are watching it; I return in June. The followup PET scan showed an axillary lymph node issue, though, and not the lesion. I had the lymph node "punch" biopsied a couple months ago but now the Dr wants an excision biopsy where they remove it. I have to arrange with the GP. Having another followup thyroid CT.

I have a ground glass lesion, and the Oncology Dr (specializes in Nodules!!) said biopsy is impossible as they are lacey along the edges and hard to get tissue from. They are watching it; I return in June. The followup PET scan showed an axillary lymph node issue, though, and not the lesion. I had the lymph node "punch" biopsied a couple months ago but now the Dr wants an excision biopsy where they remove it. I have to arrange with the GP. Having another followup thyroid CT.

@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/

When you go to Mayo or MD Anderson for the 2nd opinion, do you just randomly pick an oncologist? or do you specifically find the doctor with best review or something like that?