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

I truly beg you and everyone to get a second opinion. Different doctors and surgeons treat differently. You need to be armed with as much information as possible to understand all options and possibilities so you can make a good decision about what is best for you!
Long story alert!
I turned 50 this year and lead a very active lifestyle, I had no symptoms. I have a family history of heart disease so had undergone a CT for calcium score and they saw one of the my ground glass nodules (upper left lobe about 11mm) which was called out on the CT report to follow up with Pulmologist. After follow up CT 12/2020 finding 4 nodules, largest 11 mm - the Pulmonologist and primary, “most of the time these are nothing, but could be a slow growing cancer - need to follow).
Another CT 6 months, upper left lobe nodule change to 13 mm (1.3cm) and another small one popped up in that lobe too. Do you want to do a lung needle biopsy on that tumor or wait and see what happens in another 6 months. I opted for the needle biopsy - performed by my pulmonologist. Super scary going in, but it wasn’t a terrible procedure and we got the biopsy and identified the cancer. I understand this was a very small tumor to do a needle biopsy they stated the others are just too small to do needle biopsy or in location that is not good for that either.
Definately get second and/or third opinions. You need to be comfortable throughout the entire process, you will not have regrets if you are well informed and feel that you have the best care. My first oncologist was great and because of that I would have his recommendation/opinion, but luckily I met with each specialty department also to learn about my options. The thoracic surgeon said lobectomy did not present other options and really wanted to do it that week ahead of their team meeting to discuss my case and present findings. I am not a super religious person, but I have. I doubt there was a higher power involved in lighting and guiding the path to second opinion. I got in to Mayo and am so grateful I did.
After meeting with everyone except the thoracic surgeon I had decided I’ll do proton beam radiation. My goal was to preserve as much lung capacity as possible because I have these other nodules to think about too. I am not ready to slow down any time soon. Then I met with Dr. Shen, Mayo Thoracic surgeon and all but told him, I don’t need you I’ve made up my mind. We talked anyway, he declared he wouldn’t consider taking the whole lobe at this point, he would do a wedge resection to preserve as much lung as possible - recognizing I am an active person and have other nodules to consider may need treatment someday. Hold the phone, you mean there is another option and not just take a lobe? About-face! Gave it a few days to marinate and moved forward with the surgery. I was so scared going in, I mean it’s a vital organ! The recovery was quick. With the approval from my medical team, i started lower body workouts about 4 weeks after surgery and at 6 weeks returned to High Intensity Interval training and jogging. I do notice a slight change in my breathing when exerted, but it has been getting better all the time. While I don’t want to go through the surgery again, knowing there is a strong likelihood, I want to be as healthy as possible.
I am blessed for now and try not to think about what these other nodules will do to me someday. I get a little anxiety now coming up to my scan in December, but truly trying to leave it alone and wait patiently.

Yes, so scary going in for the needle biopsy. The sedation medication worked amazing.
They did not sedate for same procedure type prior to wedge resection. They needed to insert some kind of tracer in to the nodules so they could find the nodules during the surgery. Placing the tracers was a procedure similar to the needle biopsy performed immediately ahead of the wedge resection surgery. As they carted me off to that procedure, I was thinking “they must be going to give me something in there” Nope, they did not. I laid there the whole time (felt like eternity) as they inserted the needle into both nodules and put the tracers in, thinking “is this on purpose or did someone forget to give me sedation?” I resolved that they must not want to give something right before anesthesia and tried hard to bring my grand babies into my mind. If I have to do again, I will ask them if they can give me something first.
Best wishes for your medical progress. If you come across this same type of procedure recommendation, you can ask more questions about how it all lays out prior to the actual surgery.

Well, it turned out to be a needle biopsy! I was so thankful after learning it was going to be a 3-4 hour experience. However, it was recovery time for the sedation. I saw the Dr come in and later woke up done. Fentanyl. You certainly helped me along...results in a week or so. RELIEF

Thank you for sharing your situation and I wish you well on your journey. Had 4th CT Scan on 11/08/21 and meeting with pulmonologist yesterday, so far No change. It's been 10 months and will do another Scan in February. Imaging report said this is "reassuring" but to be followed up on for 5 years, which goes along with what you said about a marathon. But have not been diagnosed with anything at this point. Still concerns me that one nodule is 12mm (upon remeasuring). Debating on getting a second opinion at UCLA or USC or just waiting it out. Sounds like the only alternative would be a wedge section for biopsy. Sixty two years old and feel great! Did you have any symptoms?

@marye2, thinking of you today. I hope the biopsy went okay. I look forward to hearing how it went.

Hi,I posted with the wrong username earlier.The correct username is Lilly2 not sunny2.I'm new here and was inquiring about how multifocal might present.I discovered I had a nodule two months after a car accident which was not mentioed in tne hospital report instead a pulmonologist noticed it later.Eight months later in June went back for follow up Ct and it grew was spiculated and was solid and took up suv on pet scan. Drs said they believed it was malignant but I wanted a needle biopsy first.I had been canceled for biopsy three times in different centers due to supine hypertension(which means my BP goes high when I lay down). Finally had it down successfully at Mayo and it is adenocarcinoma and will have suegury soon. In June when we discovered the nodule grew three tiny nodule were also seen for the first time all ranging upto 3mm bilaterally. So at my newest Ct in Oct the radiologist said thwy are subsolid so ggo/some solid which is different from the dominant nodule that is going to be removed.The Drs just say they are very small and that
they may go away.I am concerned and ask alot of questions and was told they could represent multifocal adenocarcinoma but cant determine that now. This has been a shocking and scary time .I just wanted to ask if anyone else presented like this? Thank you and you are all in my healing thoughts.:)

That is what I expected. But they told me to fast after midnight and that it might take hours. Sedation, also. Have to wonder if they are doing the other type, with dye and removal--maybe different for the axillary lymph nodes. Thyroid went the same as you had.

Hello. I don’t know about other cancers, but I can share my story.
Same for me, radiologist reported seeing a small ground glass opacity in right upper lobe on heart CT ordered by Cardiologist. Referred to pulmonologist.
Pulmonologist recommended full chest CT for base line. Saw 3 or 4 similar GGOs in various lobes. Recommend watch for change.
3 months Dec 2020 CT nodules unchanged
6 months June 2021 CT nodule in upper left lobe grown 2-3mm and now another in upper left. Recommend continue to watch or lung needle biopsy. I opted for biopsy - found malignant.
August 2021 meet with one of the Mayo Lung Cancer Teams - Oncology, Thoracic, Radiation Oncology, Pulmonology. They call mine Multifocal Adenocarcinoma Insitu said: slow growing and that even when removed it can just pop back up in other glands in the lungs. They mentioned it is not like a cancer that has spread but more like each is an individual cancer. Of course those that have not been biopsied are only suspect at this point.
September 2021, have wedge resection surgery to remove the two nodules in upper left lobe.
December 2021 follow up CT to see if the other GGO nodules have changed.
Of course you do not have knowledge of type yet, but for the Adenocarcinoma, Oncologist told me to think of it as a marathon not a sprint.
Best wishes to you, praying for your nodules to turn out to be nothing.

Good morning Tom and Mary- Tissue biopsies are very common and are done in several ways. The reason that Mary will need to fast is that she will have anesthesia. For me, this meant my first dose of Versed. It seems as if fasting is the way to go, even for a hit of fun.

Before you are operated on, in any form, you should ask many questions including a description of the procedure so you can research it, and learn what they will do if there is a malignancy. I run right to youtube and watch videos of any procedures that I will have. It also helps me with asking more questions.

Your doctor should have advised you in detail about what the technician will do. You are entitled to that information.

I think that this makes sense?