Connie B Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 Well, it's been nice & quiet here in NODULE LAND, but I think maybe we should have a CHECK IN TIME for NODULES!! So, as far as mine goes, it is still 6mm and after having tons of tests at MAYO CLINIC last week they even checked my NODULE and said, it didn't look like anything to be concerned about, and they too thought it was scar tissue. So, lets here from the rest of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 Connie, that is very good 'nodule' news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 Two little guys--both right lung. One has been there FOREVER! Shows up now & then. Second is much smaller Both too small to do anything with BLAH BLAH BLAH massage is tomorrow after my 27th class christmas party gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alisa Posted December 23, 2005 Share Posted December 23, 2005 I have been going through the same thing for the last 2 years! I have a 7mm nodule right near where my right middle lobe was removed. I get a CT scan and/or PET about every 6 months. Nothing lights up (but may be too small) and there has been no change in years. My oncologist and the radiologists all feel it is scar tissue. So, I remain on "watch and see" status. Thanks for starting this thread, Connie! I'm sure there's a bunch of us with these "innocent" nodules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skdgr81 Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 I am still sitting in Nodule Ville.. waiting for my follow up CT in april I have started having chest pains so am seeing my doc today at 12:00 Hope it is nothing .. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 My nodule "journey" started with my regular physical in July 2005. As Kasey's caregiver we wanted "peace of mind" that I was okay so I requested a spiral CT. As you can see from my bio three nodules were found. My next scan is due in April. Fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 I was just wondering what happened to the original nodule Sticky??? Was it replaced by this new thread? Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchurchi Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Ok my turn, due to family pressure and the fact that I have been exposed to 2nd hand smoke my entire 43 years of life, I had spiral CT Scan done on Jan 3rd of this year. I have 4 nodules in my right lung measuring up to 4mm so re-scan in about 9 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Narda99 Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Can I join the Nodule Club? I have a question -- do they ever shrink or go completely away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 Yep.... you can join and yep.....they have been known to not show up again !!!!! There ya go ! Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted February 1, 2006 Author Share Posted February 1, 2006 I second what Kasey said. Yep you can join because you have a nodule! And YEP they do go away. If it's an infection it will go away. If it's scare tissue then in time they will be able to tell you. I have been being watched for over 3 years, and after all that time, they now are 99% sure it's scare tissue. I know go every 6 months for CT scans rather then every 3 to 4 months to keep a watchful eye on my dreaded NODULE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alisa Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 How many years do you think it takes to know if the "nodule" being watched is scar tissue or not? I've been watched for about 2 years, no change. My drs. think it's scar tissue but of course can't guarantee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 I know Connie will find this SOOOO hard to believe, but I was reading up on nodules . Now SOME research states that after 2 years one is considered 'out of the woods', BUT other research states that there are very slow growing nodules that may take years ~ so they should continue to be watched after the 2 year mark. Now for how long????? Don't know that! Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted February 1, 2006 Author Share Posted February 1, 2006 NO Kasey I don't disagree at all. I know there are slow growing nodules. That's one of the reasons we continue to watch mine. As for a time limit to how long to watch a nodule, I have NO CLUE! But, like MOST issues, some research doc's agree to findings being one way, as others agree to findings being another way. Some doc's say Lung Cancer is only a smoking disease and some say NO it's NOT. So, I guess it's a matter of opinion. Some doc's agree with watching nodules and some don't. I also read that the majority of Nodules are NOT CANCER! However, when it comes TO A CANCER SURVIVOR watching a nodule is very important to our health, because WE are more likely to be hit with cancer again. Our Risk factors are higher then someone who has never had cancer. I also know there are studies going on all over the US regarding nodules and early detection methods for lung cancer. These studies are being run for 8 to 10 years and they are now in the 4th year of these studies. I know the U of MN and one of our leading hospitals here in MN are part of that study. This study has brought up the nodule issue and they are trying to determine if and how long to watch a patient with nodules. So, that I am aware of, the verdict is still out on that one. It's still in the research mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alisa Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 Thank you, Connie. I'm so anxioux about my nodules while my doctors are not. I'm thankful for the studies they are doing, but the conclusion seems so far away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvmydog2 Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Well Connie, looks like I might be a canidate to join the Nodule Club. Test shows a 3 1/2 cm nodule on upper lobe of my lung. Onc doesn't know what it is. Whatever it is I don't want it. I know I have scar tissue from radiation 3 years ago. Nodule has stuck it's head out after hiding for 3 years. Will keep an eye on things for a while with a CT every 3 months. You folks could not loose me if you wanted to. I have had so much radiation over the past 3 years, I glo in the dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted February 10, 2006 Author Share Posted February 10, 2006 Hey Bruce, could you pass me my sunglasses please?? I know just what you mean about glowing in the dark! I had 4 CT scan's 9 chest X-rays all within 14 days time, before and during this last heart surgery. Way back when I did my radiation 36 radiation treatments I thought for sure I was going to have to sleep in the other room so I didn't keep my hubby awake with my bright light!! So you have the DREADED NODULE???? Bruce, your nodule seems somewhat large to me. Are they going to biopsy it? OR isn't that an option? Just wondering! Well look at this way, you get to join yet ANOTHER CLUB one that is fun filled with some down right wonderful, funny, loving, supportive people! How great is that??? Keep us posted on how your NODULE is doing! We'll all be here if and when you need us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 Yep.....STILL here in nodule land!!!!! That DOES sound large for a nodule, Bruce. Nodules usually are so small they can't have anything done with them. What do YOU think, Connie? Sounds like it could be a candidate for a biopsy?????? Nodule Watcher, Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted February 10, 2006 Author Share Posted February 10, 2006 YEP Kasey, I'm thinking biopsy as well!! Can't say for sure, being I don't have my MD licenses yet, but it just sounds large to me. That DOES sound large for a nodule, Bruce. Nodules usually are so small they can't have anything done with them. What do YOU think, Connie? Sounds like it could be a candidate for a biopsy?????? Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvmydog2 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 No biopsy planned. Onc called it a small nodule. Is a 3 to 3 1/2 cm nodule considered big? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted February 11, 2006 Author Share Posted February 11, 2006 Bruce, it is a 3 to 3-1/2 MM or is it a 3 to 3-1/2 CM ? Is it a MM or a CM? Big difference depending on CM or MM. I have a 4 mm nodule. That's about the size of the moon area on your fingernail. Very small. And my nodule went up and down over the last 3 years from 4mm to 6mm to 8mm back to 5mm and now to 4mm. But that is small compared to a CM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I hope this info might be helpful to someone. Detection of growth Malignant nodules usually grow at a constant exponential rate, which can be expressed as the tumor's doubling time (ie, the interval required for it to double in size). An increase of 28% in nodule diameter indicates doubling . In malignant lesions, the doubling time is between 25 and 450 days in most cases, with a median of 120 days. Benign lesions are usually stable (ie, show no growth). Sometimes they grow slowly (ie, doubling time exceeds 500 days), but occasionally their doubling time falls within the time frame typical of a malignant tumor . A long-standing surgical dictum states that a solitary pulmonary nodule is almost certainly benign if it is stable over a 2-year period (which implies a doubling time exceeding 730 days) . Stability is determined by retrospective analysis of one or more chest films. A doubling time of less than 20 days usually signifies that the nodule represents a nonmalignant, acute inflammatory process. http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1997/03_97/lilling.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvmydog2 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Will have to call my doctor Monday. Am sure he said CM. Will get the report for myself to read. I go see pulmonary doctor Wednesday and need to get films for him anyway. Will let you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvmydog2 Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Instead of waiting around till Wednesday I went to hospitol and got copy of my CT and report. The films are on CD now instead of film. The report reads... Additionally, there is a very small 2 to 3 mm nodule in the lateral aspect of the right lung base which was not present at the time of the prior examination of 14 July 2005. A small nodule could represent sequelae of prior granulomatous disease. Follow-up CT recommended to assure stability. The vague opacity in the anterior segment of the right upper lobe could represent atelectasis versus infiltrate. Again, follow-up CT of the chest recommended to assure resolution. Not sure if this is good or bad but I am relieved that it was not 3 cm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 mm, now THAT'S a NODULE!! Gotta tell ya Bruce, I'm very happy to see and hear it's only a 2 3 mm in size! PHEW!!! No need to panic! Just need to keep an eye on it via CT scans. (((((BRUCE)))))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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