Shedevil7953 Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 This might be premature but I just got the results from my catscan from my doctor's office on Friday. A 9mm nodule in upper left lobe. I typed those words in my search engine because I didn't have a clue what that meant. One of the search results was this website. Needless to say, it scared the hell outta me. Lung cancer???!!! Well, I have smoked for nearly 40 years and have had a severe cough for over a year. I meet with my doctor tomorrow to discuss biopsy and PET scan. I have so many questions and need to be knowledgeable when I see him. At what point do I ask to be referred to a specialist? Thanks in advance for any responses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Your primary care doctor - if that's who you are seeing tomorrow - should refer you to a pulmonologist (pulmonary specialist). That's generally the person who does the needle biopsy, if it's needed. I guess anybody can order a PET scan. In my case, after smoking 40+ years, I saw the pulmonary specialist who offered a needle biopsy and a referral to a surgeon. I decided to sk ip the needle biopsy. The surgeon ordered the PET and it just lit up in one spot in my upper right lung. I had surgery about 3 wks later and the first thing the surgeon did was a biopsy of the tumor to determine if surgery would be appropriate. Now, calm down. Some people have small nodules in their lungs that just really aren't anything. My cousin has had one for at least 6 years. So, don't give up the notion that this may just be nothing. Being prepared in case it is something, as you are doing, is also a good idea. When should you ask to be referred to a specialist? IMMEDIATELY. Tomorrow when you see the doctor will be ok. I'm not very familiar with central Indiana. Is there a good, big medical center near by you? Please let us know what happens at your appointment tomorrow. Good luck! Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Hi, welcome to the LCSC, the best group anybody ever joined that nobody ever wanted to join in the first place. You'll have a hectic few weeks just ahead, but when you find out what you're dealing with and get a treatment plan in place, things will settle down. Most likely you won't need to "request" a specialist, as this will happen naturally as events unfold. Your biopsy will probably be handled by a pulmonologist (lung specialist) or thoracic (chest) surgeon, depending on its location. If cancer is confirmed, you'll be referred to an oncologist. The PET scan will determine if any other suspicious areas exist, and at some point you may get a brain scan (usually an MRI). What symptoms/problems led to your getting the CT scan? A 9 millimeter nodule is quite small, so hopefully whatever it is was caught early. Mine was almost 4 centimeters (40 millimeters) at diagnosis, accompanied by a large pleural effusion (fluid in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall) and shortness of breath, but I'm still here and doing well after 20 months. You should be getting plenty more responses from other members, some of whom may have beat me to the "Submit" button. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Shedevil: You're from Indiana, I see, I but don't know what kind of facility you will be going to if a biopsy is ordered. It may be too small, like Ned says, and a PET may be ordered instead of or in addition to a biopsy. I didn't have a biopsy but hopefully someone with more info than I will come in and give you cues to questions that take into consideration different types of procedures they use today for biopsies. I know I've read of different types and Dr West on cancergrace.org talks about differences in treatment relative to different facilities. One of many things the sites do is offer you the alternatives that are out there that your facility if it's not a major center won't tell you about. Good luck tomorrow. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shedevil7953 Posted June 8, 2008 Author Share Posted June 8, 2008 Thank you SO MUCH for responding! My symptoms have been a severe cough for over a year. I've noticed when I get hot (post menopause), I will cough so hard I have cracked my teeth according to my dentist. I never cough up blood but struggle to bring up mucous. This will happen several times a night and as a result, I'm not getting quality rest/sleep. I have been on hormone therapy for 5 years so it's not just that. If I'm doing any chores and overheat, I almost cough up a lung, no pun intended. It's been bothersome to say the least and I've pressed my doctor to pursue this further. Because my chest X ray came back clear at my annual physical exam in January, he didn't think anything was wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 Not all Nodules are lung cancer. They can also be infection or fungus of sort. Nodules are more common then most people know. They also can be scare tissue. You might even have early stage sarcodosis. So please don't hit the panic button just yet. There are a lot of lung issues this might be. I have a few nodules myself 4mm, 7mm, etc., and I have had one of them for 5 years now, and my doc's feel this is just scare tissue. I'm NOT trying to take this lightly, but I HONEST nodules are not always lung cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 If you are seeing a regular MD tomorrow, ask for referrals to a pulmonologist. Can't hurt to get a couple of names in case you want a second opinion. In my case, the pulmonologist did the bronchoscopy and then sent me to see my oncologist. As others have said, though, you do not know if it is LC yet. Write down any questions you may have for the doctor tomorrow so you can remember to ask them. Let us know how the appt. goes and good luck!! Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Welcome shedevil (love the name!). You have already gotten lots of good advice here so I won't repeat it. Waiting to find out what is going on is really tough, but I can tell you that once you do know what is going on and what will be done about it, you will start to feel better and less panicked. Take care and keep us posted on how everything goes. Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shedevil7953 Posted June 9, 2008 Author Share Posted June 9, 2008 Thank you all for your kind and caring responses. My dr. appt is late in the day so may not have an update until tomorrow. It's relieving to know that there's a possibility that it is not lung cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Hello and welcome Shedevil Sending prayers and positive thoughts for you today. Hoping these nodules are nothing.. Warmly Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovesLife Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 Welcome Shedevil - hope you get some good news at your doctor's appointment today. Keep us posted. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shedevil7953 Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 My GP is referring me to a pulmonologist. There are 3 nodules but 2 are much smaller than the 9mm one. He said most specialists won't biopsy until a nodule is at least 1cm. He's not convinced the nodule(s) are causing the severe coughing and I'm not either. I feel there is something in the throat area or bronchial tubes and that's what I'm going to emphasize with the pulmonologist. BTW, I was asked if I live near a large hospital or facility. I have access to several hospitals in Indianapolis but the largest would be IU Med Center. I will let you know what I find out from the pulmo. but keep reading the posts here for education. I'm also looking for a throat cancer forum............can anyone recommend a good one? Thanks for all of your support! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shedevil7953 Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 Just an update......there was a cancellation Weds afternoon with the pulmonologist so I got in. He's ordered a PET scan for July 7. He also thinks my severe coughing may be related to acid reflux. I've already been taking Prevacid for that but he wants me to double the dosage and he gave me a couple of other samples of meds to try until I see him again July 16. He told me that some conditions of acid reflux can actually cause pneumonia! I didn't know that. If the PET scan is clear, he wants to do another CT scan in 2 or 3 months to see if the nodule has grown any. Right now he said it's too deep in the lung to do a biopsy, but if it 'glows' in the PET scan, I'll have to have surgery to remove it. Neither he or I feel the nodule has anything to do with the coughing. I felt better after seeing him because I thought he would tell me I have throat or lung cancer. He said I'm not out of the woods yet. So, wait and see for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovesLife Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Hi Shedevil - sounds like things are all moving in the right direction. As a recent member of the GERD club (quite a popular one by the sounds of it) I am hoping that your symptoms can all be attributed to that. I just had a conversation with a friend today who mentioned that the cough was her only symptom of GERD. At least after July 7th you can put this nodule in the back of your mind after you get a clear PET scan. Let us know the results so we can celebrate your good news with you. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shedevil7953 Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share Posted July 18, 2008 Saw my pulmonologist on 7/16 and the PET scan was clear. He said we'd watch it for 2 years and my next CT scan is in 4 months. The sample meds he gave me for the GERD have helped some. I'm not coughing as frequently or as hard. He told me it could take several weeks to see a big improvement. For the time being, I'll stay on the meds to see if things change. If not, he said I'd have an endoscopy. More wait and see but I'm just so glad nothing showed up on the PET! Thanks all for your support! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 thats great news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Good for you, Shedevil. Keep up the good work and please keep us update on how you are doing!! Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 That's really good news! I'm hoping nothing ever shows up, but let us know the results of your next scan. Thanks. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaroleHammett Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Congratulations! Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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