Kooper59 Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 Hello everyone, I am a 59 year old male who has been abusing his lungs in every manner possibly for about three decades. Not surprisingly I have what my pulmonologist calls "end stage" lung disease. To make a long story short I have had a number of CT studies of my chest done as a result of my illness. The most recent one revealed a 1.6 x 1.9 cm spiculated nodule in my left upper lobe. The report says "concerning for malignancy" and suggests a biopsy. My pulmonologist ordered a PET/CT study. The PET/CT results verify the nodule which the report says is "suspicious for malignancy" with a maximum SUV of 2.3 and also suggests a biopsy. This nodule was not noted on a CT of my chest three months ago. I have made an appointment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa for July 10th. My pulmologist wants to do a biopsy via bronchoscopy which is scheduled for July 17th which is the earliest date available. I have been reading almost non-stop. I am in the camp that believes a needle biopsy is probably not 100% safe and am wondering about a liquid biopsy. I turn 60 on July 13th. Go ME! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted July 8, 2019 Share Posted July 8, 2019 Kooper, Welcome here. There are always risks with invasive medical procedures; I wouldn't view a needle biopsy as unsafe. A liquid biopsy is a valid technique if you have edema (fluid buildup in air sacs of the lung) but if the edema site or sites are small, they can be just as challenging to access as a small nodules (yours is small). Moreover, you've told us that you pulmonologist ordered a bronchoscopy biopsy and this is not as invasive as a needle biopsy. I've had perhaps a dozen bronchoscope procedures and they involve light anesthesia and recovery is quick after a couple of days of a sore throat. While a solitary spiculated nodule is a finding of concern, your SUV level of 2.3 does not necessarily indicate metastatic disease. SUVs at 2 or below are considered normal. Above 2 is suspect but this uptake can be explained by other causes (inflammation). The metastatic level 4 and above is the definitive level of concern for metastatic disease. Moreover, I've had many scans where nodules appear and disappear and the appearance does not necessary indicate lung cancer. Here is my go to resource that explains lung nodules and possible causes. So you are kind of in the middle and I hope your forthcoming biopsy rules out lung cancer. In case it does not, then you might pass the time reading in to our disease. This is a good place to start. Stay the course. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terri L Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 Welcome Kooper, I am a newbie and also had the bronchoscopy. It was no big deal. I didn't even get a sore throat. It was day surgery and home that night. It was waiting on the pathology report and the referral to the first oncologist appointment that took 2 weeks that was nerve wracking for me. Hang in there and keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kooper59 Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 Hi folks, I apologize for the delay getting back to you. The good news is that the nodule turned out to be benign. Dr. Robinson from Moffitt Cancer Center told me that there was a very high likelihood that if a biopsy were to be performed my lung would collapse. He went on to explain that due to the severity of my condition it would be a life threatening event if this were to happen. He recommended that the nodule be monitored with further CT studies. In December of 2019 another CT study was performed which revealed no further growth of the nodule. Another PET/CT study was performed in March 2020 and the nodule appeared to be marginally reduced in size and had no detectable uptake. Thank you Tom for welcoming me to the group and for the information you shared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Kooper, Great to hear from you again and wonderful to learn your nodule was benign. Stay the course. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Kooper, Benign is always a good thing. I hope that you're getting a good treatment for your lung condition and are following it well. My sister in law also has "end stage" lung disease but she continues to smoke. I pray that you'll do the right things to make your life as long and as comfortable as possible. Thanks for updating us and I wish you all good things going forward. Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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