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

I have a ground glass 1 cm nodule in my lung; they would remove it with laparoscopy as they cannot biopsy it. This and other benign nodules are being followed due to slow growth and they say, no rush. Okay..

@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?

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!

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!

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!

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!