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HI....my hubby and I also watching...my husband is smoker,,your age and has 8mm nodule.He also had pet scan which showed no uptake...but sometimes small nodules do not.The protocol is rescan 3,6,12 months..then in a year although my doc wants one 8 months after the yearly one.They are watched for two years...although slow growing cancers could grow in five years...so I will probably want ours checked even after two years. Like everyone says it is a watch and wait thing....and very un nerving. The longer these nodules stay stable the better...and the more it favors being benign.If the pet scan lights up they probably will want a biopsy...or if it grows at all...that is what they told my hubby. CT scans are very sensitive and pick up every little thing....but I still think if it saves one persons life by finding a small cancer it is worth it. Good luck and we are all here for you!!! Debbie

HI all...hope everyone is well!!! My hubby and I went for our one year ct scan for our nodules....both are stable I am SO happy to report.The hubby still struggling to quit smoking though...after I spoke to doc he said we should rescan in six months.I was under the impression that after the 12 month scan...next scan was 12 months later...am I wrong? Any imput on this would be appreciated...Thanks so much to all!!! Debbie

I have often asked docs this very same question...because my Dad was a heavy smoker,and got it in his 60s...they seem to pin it on that rather than heredity,my grandmother had it though,and was non smoker.I have nodule on my lung...and concerned even though I have never smoked...because of my family history.My doc said if younger nonsokers get it in certain familes...they tend to think that might be more due to heredity...but truthfully he said they are really not sure.My family history...and living with second hand smoke is why I decided to get ct scan in the first place. Debbie

HI....my hubby and I went for ct scans almost one year ago...He is smoker..I never smoked.My Dad has lung cancer,and my grandmother died from it.We BOTH ended up with a nodule on the upper right apex..what are the odds of that!!!Mine was 6.5mm..my hubbies was 6mm.Many things go into factoring if they could be malignant...or not.The persons age,smoking history,if the nodule is smooth or spiculated,if it is calcified or noncalcified,and the size.The smaller the nodule..the less likely it is to be cancer.That being said,the only true way to know for sure is to biopsy...but the small ones they usually wait and watch.CT scan at three months,six months.and then every year for two years.If they dont change..they just keep checking them.If they change or get bigger...then they need to biopsy.Pet scans can help...my hubby had one but they are not great for diagnosing small nodules.SO...all that and they usually just watch them...unless they are big...look a funny shape...or you are really high risk...or a combo of all.Or if you have a prior cancer history.I know I am rambling...but I did so much research on these suckers..I could right a book LOL LOL. Nevertheless, it is a worry and everytime I rescan I am a nervous wreck...my hubby and I go in Feb. Yours is REALLY small and that is good..could have been there your whole life...the new ct scans are very sensitive...and tend to pick up the smallest things.I still think though,if it save one life by detecting an early lung cancer it is worth it. Debbie

Hi all...hubby and I both stable nodules!!!! Go again in six months.... Thanks to everyone Deb

Hi all....hubby and I getting scans on Monday for the nodules,,hoping it will be all good news ,Deb

Hi all...hubby and I getting CT> scans on Monday to check on them,,,hoping they are stable or even better POOF gone.Say a little prayer....thanks Debbie

Wishing you continue to feel well during chemo...my Dad did very well and he has a weak stomach!!! It just made him really tired.His hair never really completly fell out....and when it started coming back in he looked like Tommy Pickles from the RUgrats LOL All in all he did well...and I hope you do to....Deb

I think the main reason for this is because most people just dont know that lung cancer is now the #1 cancer for wommen beating out breast cancer. When i tell people this theyt are shocked. Breast cancer has been in the lime light for so long people are more aware of it...which is why so much money has been spent on research,early detection,and now the cure rate is so high.I think this has been WONDERFUL,and if more people realized that lung cancer is a HUge concern in this country for men and WOMEN...things might start to change...we can only hope. God BLess Deb Dad DX NSCLC Jan 2004, NED doing well

HI all...my hubby went for pet scan for his nodule onThursday....after one month ct it got a little bigger so he was sent for pet...we are waiting on results as we speak.He has smoked for 27 years....so I am a little concerned. Heres hoping the good news continues for everyone!!!! Deb

Nodules are usually checked 3,6., 12,24 months...and then sometimes once a year for the next three years.They are looking for any growth or change and use what they call TDT...or tumor doubling time rate to determine if the nodule might be malignant.Sometimes they do a Pet scan if the nodule has malignant characteristics such as irregular shape or border....but on small nodules that can be inconclusive.So it is the watch and wait...unless it grows.There is TONS of info on the net...just put in SPN...Solitary Pulmonary nodule...Hope this helps Deb

Hi all...my hubby and I having are dreaded nodules scanned tommorrow..seeing the pulmo doc the Friday after....hoping for good news for both of us...Deb

wow barb..that is ashame..the parents in my district have alot of pull....guess we are lucky Deb

Regarding a comment that blaze made...that is interesting...our monthly board meeting seems to be where we get the most results from speaking out...kind of putting the board members on the spot. The only downfall is because it is a public forum everyone then knows your business. I work for the district plus my kids go to the school....so I can never speak at the mike...lol Deb

Hi I work in the school disrict abnd have sat in on many dare assemblies. I know they sometimes go overboard with the scare tactics to really hit home that kids should not smoke or do drugs. I dont think they realize how some really sensitive kids really take it to heart.My daughter came home from school and was so upset that my husband smoked...and she bugged him for months, She was really worried for a long time.It would have bben nice if someone would have thought about it and gave the dare officer the heads up about your daughters situation.Once the mistake was made I think they should have been most apologetic.I would take it to the mike at the next board meeting...that is were you will get the most results.Most people your children deal with in school are wonderful,but there is a rotten apple in every bunch.You have every right to feel the way you do. Good luck...DEb

I know it is hard not to worry...the ratio with these things are about 60% are noncancer 40% turn out to be malignant.Depending on alot of factors calcification...or lack there of...shape...and history of person who has them...age...smoking history...family history etc.Yours is really small...that is good. I know even though I know all these facts and the odds are in my favor i STILL worry...human nature I guess.We all say dont worry but it is hard...let us know how it goes Deb

Hi...you are not alone. My hubby and I went for screening ct scans and both were found to have noncalcified nodules.They usually watch them with repeat ct scans over a two year period.They are too small to biopsy...and pet scans on small nodules tend to be inconclusive.If they do not grow or change...they are usually ok.I know it can be scary...the waiting is hard. My hubby and I go for repeat ct scans on March 31...hoping the little buggers dont grow. I have TONS of info on these and I have researched like crazy.If you have any more questions let me know...I am sure you doc will be helpful whwn you go...best of luck Deb

All the info iam getting here is great,going to see doc on March 13 for 6mm nodule,I am not a smoker..and not having syptoms so I guess that is all in my favor...but as we all nknow lc can get a nonsmoker too. I am a very nervous person so this wait and watch thing is REALLY hard for me,my hubby has 3 nodules and taking it in stride!!! Wish I was more like him LOL love DEb

I had been reading about it but it seemed like all spiculated were bad, I feel so much better that there is a chance that maybe it is not. My hubby has 6mm spiculated nodules versus interstitial markings on screening ct scan.I think that right there says they are not positive thier is even a nodule there,but when they nurse called she sais there was, however the report says verses markings so i dont know. Dont think radiologists likes to be pinned down..lo l or they are REALLY not sure.He did have pnemonia about ten years, but he is 42 and has smoked for 27 years.....going to see pulmonary guy next week thanks DEB

Hi spiculated means irregular jagged edge,as opposed to smooth one...in all i ahve read it is better for it to be smooth...i am getting info right from report which i have copy of...i know iam really freaked out worrying about hubby and me lol thanks Deb

Are spiculated nodules always malignant,could it be something else?Debbie

Never wanted to be in this club ha ha. y hubby and I went for screening cat scan,both had nodes....what are the odds of that? I am non smoker but my Dad just dx with nslc, he was smoker. My hubby big smoker,we are both in early forties. I have one 6mm,my hubby possible three and one is spiculated...thatis the one I am worried about,though it is small 6mm. The catch 22 is when they find these suckers so small they can be tricky to dx,and all the folloew up scans expose you to 3 years of background radiation!! (each) My doc said I should have never gone for scan....for this reason. But now it is too late and the waiting and worrying I am not doing well with.I feel like I am going crazy..spending hours on the computer.. I almost have my medical degree LOL!! Well at least I am not alone...thanks for listening and God Bless Debbie