teresasuesan48 Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Hello All! I have a question.....In July of '05, a 5-6mm nodule was discovered on the left lower lobe, didn't change, last time I was tested was a year ago - tired of what seemed to be ridiculous hoops - anyways, had a ct w/contrast today, learned from past, and had the tech pull it up and measure it, wanted to see with my own eyes, measured 8.3mm. I had read somewhere that if there's no change after 400+ days, nothing to be concerned with. Any thoughts? Much appreciated & love to all, T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 I'd continue to monitor it. Sounds like there has been some growth...can you consult with a thoracic surgeon? With my "suspicious mass", my primary doctor sent me to a specialist (surgeon) for a consult...and then the real party began. Be vigilant. You can never catch cancer too early, but you surely can catch it too late. One thing to learn in life is to trust your gut. Do YOU think it's nothing and you're over-reacting, or are you concerned and afraid someone will think you silly for wanting more information? Don't always believe what you hear, BUT, on the flip side, listen to a doctor you believe in. If things change and you no longer believe in your doctor, find a new one. Good luck to you, Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 if it ain't supposed to be there get it out! I gotta vote with Snowflake(Becky) on this one get it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 I think I'd probably try to get a consult with a surgeon, but please keep in mind that a lot of times size varies with the different cuts on a ct and angles can change the looks and size of a suspicious mass in a study. What I'm trying to say is that the mass may not have changed at all in size, it just looks to be a different size on this particular test. The other thing is that typically anything under 1 cm is too small to try to biopsy and won't show up on a PET scan either. But, a lot of times surgeons can tell from characteristics of a mass whether it merits close attention or not. If I were you, I would see a surgeon and get an opinion. Just be aware that you are possibly one of those people caught in the watch and wait mode. Good luck to you. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 It sounds like there has been some growth. I would think that a PET scan would be in order. If it lights up on a PET scan then they could do a biopsy to make sure. They would have to wait till it got a little bigger to do the biopsy. If it doesn’t light up then you have a little more reassurance that it is not cancer. I would even consider a second opinion if the doctors that I have do nothing. I have a spot on my hip that they did not even see on a CT scan at first. When they did a PET scan it showed an uptake of 6.5. PET scan will show hot spots that may not show on a CT scan. They then went back and looked at the CT scan and said that they now saw a subtle 6mm lesion. I would want to know for sure what it is and then make a decision on what to do. There may be older PET scan machines that are not as sensitive, but the latest machines will pick up small spots. Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Teresa, One reason they give not to do a PET scan is that a lot of insurance companies will not cover it in some situations. The other reason I have heard is that doing the PET scan will not change the treatment. It will show up on the PET scan but they will have to wait till it gets to the size that they can do the biopsy before deciding on a treatment. That is what they are doing with me and we still don't know for sure if it is cancer. Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teresasuesan48 Posted April 12, 2007 Author Share Posted April 12, 2007 Hello All! Thanks so much for your response. When all of this started, I think I went a little nuts - I felt like I had to get to the bottom of it, but after a couple of Pets and nothing conclusive, and a good visit with the thorasic surgeon, definitely realized that I didn't want the craziness to run my life. My poor family - can you imagine? Major menopause and this! Anyways, I didn't stay on top of the every three months testing. I just got a call from my doc's nurse, they're going to try to get the results this afternoon....discussed the fact that something needs to be done if it's changed in size........the thorasic surgeon will be the one to decide though. He had good reasons not to move on it before. Thanks for waiting with me! T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted April 12, 2007 Share Posted April 12, 2007 Good luck Teresasuesan. Fingers crossed for no growth..but if not then know that it has been caught early and is most likely very operable. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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