CT Scan

[Skunkworks]

Hello All, My name is Timothy and I'm sure Glad to be here..I am 50 and have been diagnosed with COPD for over a couple of years now as well as a Left lung Nodule (6mm)..Upon having a Routine CT Scan  every year they found that the Left lung nodule is starting to change in appearance and that I Now have a 7mm Nodule in my upper Right lobe as well as 3 more Smaller ( 1-3 mm ) Nodules in my Right lobe and 1 ( 6mm ) Nodule in left lobe for a Total of 5 Nodules..The 4 new Nodules all in my Right Lung appeared within a years time..I was told to come in for my results by my GP doctor and she said it's Lung Cancer.. On the Report it states  Concern for ( Neoplastic Disease ) ..She said I need a Biopsy and Referred me to a Lung Specialist and I have an appointment  for Jan 13th, not sooner due to Insurance reasons.. I obtained the CT Scan results for myself and would like to get some Opinions by Members..I have attached my Results and would appreciate any opinions you might have, as there is no better Information I could Obtain than a Patient or Survivor has..My Hats off to "ALL of You"..and your "Family"..My Grandfather and his daughter my Mother both died from Lung Cancer. My Mothers brother my uncle Alex Trebek host of jeopardy is in Great Health, as well as my Only sibling ( Sister )..On my Fathers side Only his Mother my ( Grandmother ) had Lung Cancer and died from it..

CT Scan Results.txt

[BridgetO]

Hi Timothy and welcome here. I looked at your CT results, but  I'm not a doctor.  Looks like the radiologist was suspicious of one nodule in particular. Unfortunately, I think you're going to have to wait to see what the pulmonologist says.

I was really impressed by my pulmonologist (lung specialist) on my first visit. She looked at all the various things that turned up on my CT and told me what she thought they were likely to be. She could tell a lot based on the appearances. One looked likely to be cancer, a slow-growing type. I had a PET scan, and the nodule did not "light up", which miight mean not cancer, or might mean a very slow growing and small one. She then took my case to a meeting of various chest doctors, surgeons etc.,They t hought I needed a biopsy to diagnose the nodule, but unfortunately, because of where it was located, a biopsy couldn't be done without removing my right lower lobe. Many nodules can be biopsied without surgery. iI had a lobectomy and was diagnosed with a small and early (Stage 1A) non-small-cell lung cancer. I didn't need further treatment. The surgery was fairly easy.and I'm well today, a year later.e me

I suggest that during the month you have to wait,  you learn all you can about lung cancer so you'll know what to ask the pulmonologist, Lung Cancer 101 on the Lungevity site is a good place to start. Here's the link: https://www.lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/lung-cancer-101

I also suggest you enjoy the holidays and keep doing , despite the stress of meidical issues, other things you enjoy, whatever they may be.  Best wishes to you.

Bridget O

 

[Tom Galli]

Welcome Timothy,

Like Bridget, I'm not a physician either.  I also read your CT and have seen many of these (my own).  First comment is it is a good thing you are getting the radiologist report for every scan.  That is very good practice and you should keep it up if you go through further treatment. Second, by way of explanation, there are many causes for lung nodules and not all are troubling or require treatment.  Here is my go-to source for the types of pulmonary nodules courtesy of the Cleveland Clinic. A biopsy of the "dominant 6 mm left lower lobe nodule" is likely a good idea and if were me, I'd be having it.

Lung-cancer-101 is indeed a good thing for you to read.  Again, I concur with Bridget and as you read or encounter areas that prompt questions, this is the place for answers.

Stay the course.

Tom

[Skunkworks]

Thanks for your opinions Bridget and Tom they are Very much Appreciated.. And Thanks for your Time too..First off, I would like to Commend the Both of you's for " Fighting a Good Fight ".. I am Inspired and have the Upmost Respect for you both..I will Definitely be Reading up on both your suggestions..I feel I'm on the Right Path..Thanks Again for the Warm Greetings and all your Insight..

Timothy

[Skunkworks]

UPDATE: I went to see the Specialist on the 8th and he told me that because of my COPD being so bad he will not preform a Needle Biopsy due to fears of Collapsing my lung..The Specialist has ordered a PET-CT Scan for the 16th..Will Keep you Posted..Thanks for the Concern..

[LexieCat]

Good luck, be sure and keep us posted!  

[Skunkworks]

Pet-CT Scan was Negative..My Specialist said it may be because of the Spiculated Nodule being so small (6mm)..He Has not ruled out it being the begining Stages of lung Cancer and is Concerned about the 4 new Nodules all in my right lung being new..(Neoplastic Disease)..He said there is concern still that my Original Ct Scan is Accurate..wants a Retest CT-Scan in 3 months to check for Stability and Growth..God bless All of You's..

[LexieCat]

Well, it's disappointing not to know something definite, but given how small the nodules still are, it sounds like a reasonable course of action.  That's what they did with mine, and three months later there were no changes.  Of course, a year later there WAS definite growth, and they concluded that it was suspicious enough that surgery was appropriate.  Have the doctors indicated whether they would be able to perform surgery if the nodule becomes more suspicious?  Given the COPD, I mean.

Hang in there.  The waiting is frustrating, I know.

[Tom Galli]

A negative PET scan, even one disclosing nodules, is good news.  Granted, a 6 mm nodule is very small (about the diameter of a lead pencil eraser) and small nodules often do not show uptake during a PET.  Newly discovered nodules are not good news but again with no uptake.  I think waiting and rechecking is the right call.

Tell us about your re-test.

Stay the course.

Tom 

[Robert Macaulay]

I have intresting story leading up to my lung cancer. For the second time I went to the emergency clinic with pain in my left chest and short of breath and very high blood pressure both times. This time the xray showed a shadow on my left lung and the young intern said I could be cancer or asbestosis or TB so he scheduled me for CT scan this was late September 2017. Two weeks later I go for the scan and hope for the best. I had lots scan previous and never had call at home. Three week go by and I need a RX filled and I go to my family doctor and I mention how did the ct  scan turn out he looked at me surprised as it was on his screen and he said I will get back to you. He did the next day and said sorry for not responding to the follow up and put me in touch with lung specialist .He called and had ne in for scope on Halloween and would get back to me in ten days with the results. He called back an said they were negative and wanted to do FNA And scheduled me in two weeks later meanwhile I developed a very bad chest infection and ten days later the results came back negative again and he gave me antibiotics and said I would need another ct scan with contrast in January 2018 and gave me more drugs prior to the scope JAN-12 2018..Three days later he call me in for a appointment and tell me it is lung cancer and gets the ball rolling which it now is. And I am happy with the very quick progress and steps.