[Husband With Lung Cancer, Need Advice]

We got the results and my husband didn't "light up" on whole body PET/CT scan. The wording is "no significant FDG uptake (maximum SUV 1.7) is identified within this mass." That's the 3.4 cm lesion that worries them. It's further described as "a soft tissue mass in the medial aspect of the left apex, which has broad contact with the pleural surface. There are calcifications seen at the periphery of this lesion." Elsewhere there are "no areas of increased radiotracer uptake." IMPRESSION: 3.4 cm pleural-based mass in the medial left apex which has no significant FDG uptake. However, given the interval appearance of the mass since 12/27/06 which now occupies the location where a previous bulla was seen, consideration to biopsy is suggested."

The pulmo doc seemed hopeful, said this couldn't be a fast growing cancer,if it's cancer, and thinks my husband is a candidate for surgery. He recommended a thoracic surgeon and my husband has an appointment March 19 to consult with him. So, for now, I guess we wait and see what we think of the surgeon. He seems to be well qualified from what I've read about him on the Internet and the pulmonologist seemed very sincere in his assurance about him.

And, yes, I'll ask about the latest methods of surgery/biopsy. Already know he does VATS. I'm worried about my husband's emphysema as they see a lot of damage from that in his lungs.

Thanks, all, again.

Lynn

[Husband With Lung Cancer, Need Advice]

Thanks again to all. The second appointment with the pulmonologist is coming up Friday, March 9, and we'll get the results of the PET scan then. After we hear the details and recommendations, we'll know better where to go from here. I'm so glad to have suggestions and information from you who've been there. I'm scared stiff, to be honest, absolutely petrified. I'll do my best to act calm for my husband's sake.

Lynn

[Husband With Lung Cancer, Need Advice]

Thanks, all, for further answers. My husband's PET scan is scheduled for tomorrow morning and then we'll see the pulmo doc again to discuss the results. This doctor was already talking about directing my husband to a thoracic surgeon, intends to do nothing more, himself. If surgery is not advised, of course it would be an oncologist instead.

I think I jumped the gun a bit on second opinions as we don't have a first opinion yet and will have to take it from there.

Lynn

[Husband With Lung Cancer, Need Advice]

Thanks, all. To answer a question, my husband hasn't had a biopsy yet, no. The lung specialist wants the PET scan first, has already tested my husband's breathing via a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT). He said he needed to know how much surgery my husband could withstand, dependent on his lung function.

I may be jumping the gun, asking about second opinions. If the lung specialist recommends any sort of surgery, even for purposes of biopsy, should we just go along with his recommendation? That's what we'd usually do and, to be honest, it's my breast cancer buddies who are so concerned about which doctor we use or don't use. I feel satisfied with the doctors we know already but understand second opinions can be valuable.

Lynn

[Husband With Lung Cancer, Need Advice]

My husband, age 67, is a lifelong smoker who finally quit last May. He was diagnosed with COPD/emphysema. Last month he had a "routine" chest CT w/contrast but the results were a shock. They'd known about a 5 mm nodule, unchanged for years. This time there was a "new left apical 3.4 cm pleural based mass" and a "new right middle lobe 1.0 cm bilobed nodule." There is also a new 3 mm nodule, lower left lobe. Old 5 mm nodule and changes from emphysema remain stable. (He has moderate stage COPD, hadn't been bothered terribly by it.)

His PCP sent him immediately to a pulmonologist and we met with this doctor the other day. He pointed to the mass on CT film and he believes it's cancer. As he has experience and good credentials, we didn't argue. I asked if there was any other possibility, and he said yes, but it seemed remote. He's ordering a PET scan to investigate further, was already talking about surgery if indicated.

I was treated for breast cancer in 2002 so I'm pretty well up on that, but as I lost my father to lung cancer years ago, I have little knowledge of it. His was diagnosed very late and treatment was of no help.

What kind of doctor will we need for a second opinion after we hear again from the pulmonologist, this after the PET scan is done? If this doctor recommends surgery, do we want a second pulmonologist's opinion? Do we want to interview surgeons? Oncologists? What specialty do we need here? We're comfortable with this doctor and the group in which he works, but there's no room for error.

We're in the suburbs of New York City, can check out Sloan Kettering if needed though my husband hates going into the city, prefers our nearby community hospitals.

Thank you in advance.

Lynn