Walking pneumonia led to lung nodule to lung mass! 2 biopsy this week

Posted by medtech4 @medtech4, 5 days ago

I had walking pneumonia over the summer. I went on antibiotics but scan showed rather large nodule and ground glass appearance. Biopsy was done and it was negative. This was in September. Then, I go for a follow up scan in early November and nodule, well, really, mass has gotten a tiny bit bigger, but ground glass appearance has cleared. The mass is the size of a business card! It's 4 cm by 8 cm! It was not really much different from the one in September but they want to biopsy it again. Will be doing that this week. I'm hoping it's still benign, but its size is so concerning. I do cough a little. That's really my only symptom. Lung surgery is really a major endeavor, but I don't don't what can be done except to hope it just goes away. With my history, I'm guessing it's infectious or inflammatory. I had a PET scan and it lit up, but so did a bump on my head that I got a week before the scan! Any advice?

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denzie | @denzie | 4 days ago

There a many things that are not cancer that can cause something to light up on a PET scan.

Lung cancer rarely exhibits symptoms before it metastisizes to another organ. For that reason, I'm glad your doctor is being proactive. GGOs that turn solid are usually cancerous. Because of their malleable consistency they are difficult to biopsy.

I say this, not to scare you, but, to highlight the need to continue surveillance if this biopsy should prove negative. Please let us know what you learn.

nannybb | @nannybb | 4 days ago

May I ask where you live and if your tumor I was carcinoid (NETs) for sure?

medtech4 | @medtech4 | 4 days ago

In reply to @nannybb "May I ask where you live and if your tumor I was carcinoid (NETs) for sure?" + (show)

@nannybb I live in the area north of Atlanta. The first biopsy was negative for cancer and granuloma. I do not have any symptoms of early lung cancer. I have a good appetite and no weight loss. I have developed a slight cough, I think, because the mass is large. Before the first biopsy I had a lot of mucous production. Now, no. I'm pretty frightened. Even if it's negative for cancer, no one wants to really do lung surgery, least of all, me. But, I really don't know what is going to happen and that bothers me. I have a video chat with the NP with the interventional radiologist on the 16th. She answered all my questions when I spoke with her before scheduling this biopsy. Thank you, nanny and denzie. Thanks for answering.

nannybb | @nannybb | 4 days ago

Hey, I didn't catch when your 2nd biopsy is going to be performed. Hopefully you are cancer free. If a doctor wants to operate on the mass, my very clear advise would be to get a second or even third opinion. In my estimation, that was the best advise anyone gave to me. Blessings

medtech4 | @medtech4 | 2 days ago

In reply to @nannybb "Hey, I didn't catch when your 2nd biopsy is going to be performed. Hopefully you are..." + (show)

@nannybb Thanks to you for advice! I'm having the second biopsy tomorrow, Dec. 10. The NP implied that they don't attempt to remove it. The first biopsy was benign, so fingers crossed. I was coughing a bit but last month when I got the CT, but I feel I'm coughing a bit less now, so hoping it shrank a bit. I'm a bit frightened b/c I really don't know what is going to happen, even if it's benign.

nannybb | @nannybb | 2 days ago

It is critically important that you get clear answers on your biopsy report. I made the mistake of not having it reviewed by a second actual specialist in my particular type of cancer. The pathologist clearly stated it was a benign tumorett. For some reason the surgeon did not specify that to me, nor mention another route of therapy other than surgery.

kdalda75 | @kndaustin71 | 1 day ago

Not real excited to hear that your are letting an NP manage your case! I would get a second opinion and even a third if need be but definitely would be looking at high level institutions that have teams of physicians that manage complex cases ie Duke, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo

medtech4 | @medtech4 | 1 day ago

In reply to @kndaustin71 "Not real excited to hear that your are letting an NP manage your case! I would..." + (show)

@kndaustin71 I have a pulmonologist who is "managing the case". The NP is the interventional radiologist's, who did the biopsy. I will seek out other opinions when the biopsy comes back.

medtech4 | @medtech4 | 1 day ago

In reply to @nannybb "It is critically important that you get clear answers on your biopsy report. I made the..." + (show)

@nannybb Surgeons like to cut. A benign tumorett? Never heard that one! I will seek out options when the biopsy results come back. Still hoping for a negative on that. The interventional radiologist that did the biopsy today said, they got some deeper tissue and got about 8 samples. I should know by Monday. The "Mychart" option on the Wellstar Health System is very detailed; they post the same results the doctors see.