allicat1214

Thank you both! My oncologist today said she didn't believe the nodule was as a result of my breast cancer, which was stage 1 and now 9 years ago. She said it was positive thing that there was no growth from August 23 to January 12, 4.5 months. She referred me to a pulmonologist within Emory to manage the nodule and the first available appointment is late April, so another 3 months. The doctor I'm seeing is young, but has good reviews.... so I'm hopeful! I'm satisfied with that for now because it isn't growing.... or at least it isn't growing at a rate that would be detected within 4.5 months. Lou, Thanks for the suggestion about the PET scan. I'll make a note to ask that when I see the doctor. But I agree with both you and Sally, that a biopsy is the best way to know what's what. Again, I thank you both for your suggestions.

Hello, I am a breast cancer survivor. I had a 1.5 cm tumor in my left breast, diagnosed 12/14. Had lumpectomy, 4 rounds of chemo (taxotere-cytoxan) and 33 rounds of radiation, all completed by 9/2015. August of 2023 I had an MRI for a gastro issue, which showed a nodule on my right lung. Had an immediate CT scan w/contrast. That report stated a single 6 x 8 mm solid lobulated nodule in lower lung. Follow up in 6-12 months. I had read that lower nodules were not as high risk so I wasn't too concerned but had planned to ask my oncologist. I see my oncologist annually to follow up with breast cancer in the Dec/Jan timeframe. Early in January, I asked my oncologist via my message portal about doing a follow CT scan before my appointment. She ordered it without contrast. THAT report said: Stable indeterminate right upper lobe nodules. No new or enlarging nodules. Attention on follow-up. It further stated Unchanged right upper lobe solid pulmonary nodule measuring 6 x 8 mm (3; 227). Unchanged additional micronodules within the right lung apex (3; 68 and right upper lung (3; 171). So I'm glad that it's unchanged... I know that is GREAT news. But have you ever seen two separate CT scan reports identify the location in two different places? And one report said a single nodule, while the other indicated multiple??? I'm trying to understand that. But the second one said "unchanged" as if it's ALWAYS been in the upper lobe. I also had a mammogram that showed NED. My breast cancer was diagnosed and treated at a medical facility in the New Orleans metro area. I never had a CT scan, much less a full body scan to determine if cancer spread. Only mammograms. I have read through several PubMed papers and risk analysis on the Society of Thoracic Surgeon webpage and understand that a lobe in the upper region has more risk, and it seems as if 8mm size is sort of the cut off for further actions, like biopsy. I have now moved to the Atlanta metro area and see doctors at the Winship Cancer Center at Emory, an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center. They seem to have a great reputation so I am hopeful for better care here than in Louisiana. I have had a number of health issues since I've been a teenager, so I am very used to advocating for myself. I want to know if this might be a breast cancer that has metastasized to the lung or a primary lung cancer. From what I've read, there is a vast difference in treatment and outlooks for these very different cancers. What would you recommend I ask the doctors to do? I'm uneasy with just a wait and see approach in the upper lung....after going through all the treatment I went through for breast cancer. Thanks for any suggestions. I know you cannot give out medical advice, but what you went through and how you advocated for yourself would be helpful.