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

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.

When you have your 3-month scan you could also ask for an explanation of the differing opinions. I'll look forward to hearing the results!

Yes I am. I have read that nodules over 10mm have a very high rate of being cancer, however my pulmonologist is comfortable with the watch and wait for my 14mm nodule (& 2 other smaller ones). I thought I remembered the Thoratic Surgeon saying to me that it would have to be removed via wedge section whether it grows or not, so that has caused confusion. They are both monitoring the situation so I will be patient until November. I do appreciate you input. Thank you!

Good morning- It seems that between every 3 months and 6 months are the norms for following lesions depending on how new they are or if they have grown, and of course their size.

With my first cancer, I started keeping all of my tests, scans, and lab work. I began looking up all of the terms that I wasn't familiar with and wrote them down on the results so that when I ran into them again I knew what they meant. I wrote lists of questions. I asked every single question at my appointments and made sure that I understood the answers as best as I could and then googled them when I got home. There's just so much to learn and understand, it can be pretty overwhelming. Are you keeping track of your findings?

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!

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

@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

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?

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!

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?