cindykdee Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 I had a lung xray in july which showed some enlarged lymph nodes in the trachea area and a spiculated nodule in my lower left lung. They send me to a pulmonologist and I had a CT scan which basically said the same info. I then had a High resolution CT scan, same thing. I agreed to a broncoscopy in which they took a biopsy of the lymph nodes and of the nodule.. The pathology came up negative for cancer. The doctor seems to think its a false negative so I agreed to a PET scan. The same spots were highlighted. It November by this time. I then agreed to a Mediastinoscopy in which they took bigger chunks of the lymph nodes. All came up negative for cancer. so now they want to do a lobectomy and remove 1/4 of my lung just to be safe. No one has told me I have cancer. Why would I do this???? Has anyone had the same situation. The doctor telling me I could have a short time to live if I don't do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 Cindy, This is indeed a strange circumstance. I've never heard of a biopsy that didn't result in a definitive finding of lung cancer or no lung cancer. The same applies to a Mediastinoscopy. These test are usually the gold standard for determining lung cancer. Clarification: your statement about the PET scan - "The same spots were highlighted." Normally, something identified on a PET scan is "lit up" compared to surrounding tissue. This indicates one of two possible findings. The "lit up" tissue is inflamed say from infection, or the tissue is experiencing metastatic cancer. Do you recall how the doctor described "highlighted" when explaining your PET results? It is odd that a doctor would want to remove your lung without compelling evidence of cancer. From your description, it does not appear you have compelling evidence. Which doctor told you to have your lobectomy "just to be safe" - a thoracic surgeon or your pulmonologist? Have you consulted with an oncologist? Please keep in mind the fact that I am not a doctor. Having said that, I think you should take all of your test results to another doctor and get a second opinion. I'd get it from a thoracic surgeon. Stay the course. Tom bjacksontex 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindykdee Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 Tom thank you for your response. My pulmonologist met with my thoracic surgeon. they also met within a board meeting of doctors to review my case. This board including my doctors feel that in order to get a definitive diagnosis, they would have to remove the lobe with the nodule in it. They feel I could be in stage 3 cancer because my lymph nodes in thoracic region are also enlarged. I do have a call into an oncologist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Cindy, Sounds like you've got all the right doctors engaged. But a lobectomy still sounds like a radical approach to me. Please keep in mind, I'm not a doctor and you should be guided by competent medical advice. It would be interesting to learn the opinion of the oncologist you are consulting. Stay the course. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andylewis Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 A lobectomy is the surgical removal of a lobe of an organ. It most often refers to the removal of a section of a lung. It may also refer to the liver, brain, thyroid gland, and other organs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denzie Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Doing a lobectomy to obtain a decent biopsy specimen is being done a bit more frequently. I've a couple of on line and IRL acquaintances who have experienced them. Its my understanding, having attended a couple of recent lung cancer seminars, that a mass or nodule may yield different results when sampled in different places. Its not unusual to not get a diagnosis until after a lobectomy. If your dr has a great deal of experience that triggers a gut feeling, you may do well to heed it. You might also consider getting a remote second opinion from a lung cancer specialist who is at one of the medical teaching universities that has achieved an NCCN designation of Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. I have heard great things from friends and acquaintances who've done those through University of Colorado (Dr Ross Camidge), MD Anderson in TX (don't remember who but select the head of thoracic oncology. After having him speak on several occasions I would also, seriously, consider a second opinion with Dr David Carbone at the James Center in Columbus. Sending hope for a terrific clinical outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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