I had my 5 year follow-up with my oncologist for my colorectal cancer yesterday. My treatment was by the book, with most everything going the way you hope. Surgery went well. Got through chemo. No evidence of disease since the surgery.
I've also had a few nodules in my lungs there were there from the beginning. They did not show up on the PET scan, did not react to the chemo, and were stable. Then, a year ago, the CT showed one of them grew a little (4 mm to 6 mm). Six months after that, still at 6 mm. Another 6 months, it is 9 mm. So it went from 4 to 6 mm in a year, and from 4 to 9 mm in 2 years, with an uneven growth rate.
Because these nodules existed before the colorectal cancer was detected, and did not react to chemo, my oncologist says they are unlikely related to the colorectal cancer. She also says the odds of it being cancer are low. But I don't feel reassured, and it is so disappointing to get 5 years out and suddenly need a biopsy. I know there is nothing magical about 5 years, and there never are guarantees, but I think it would have been a relief to get the all-clear regardless.
I thought maybe this lung forum might have some insights while I wait to get my biopsy.
Thanks.