Barb1260 Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 Does anyone know what size a nodule has to be for a biopsy to be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Macaulay Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 The likelihood of malignancy is <1% for nodules ≤4 mm and 6% for those between 4-8 mm. Nodules <8 mm are too small to biopsy percutaneously or to evaluate with a PET scan.A Barb1260 and Tom Galli 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb1260 Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 Thank you Robert. How are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Macaulay Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 Barb Fine doc ordered blood work yesterday and all done. Same old routine i just follow orders and let them do the thinking lot easier that way.😎 Bob Barb1260, PaulaC and Rower Michelle 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 Mine was 8mm. Didn’t light up on a PET scan and couldn’t be biopsied. I opted for a wedge resection. Turned out I was in the 6% and had a Right Upper Lobe lobectomy right then and there during the resection. I’m really hoping better, less invasive, early diagnostic options become available soon. Barb1260 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb1260 Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 Guess I’ll be playing a waiting game for a bit. I’m wondering if it could be scar tissue from the radiation as they shot it through my left lung to get to the right. Hmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 Barb, Mine was also 8mm and they couldn't do a CT Guided Needle Biopsy and since is lit up to 2.4 in the PET they decided to do the Open Thoracic Biopsy and then removed it. In my case it was NSCLC Squamos. So, I would expect they'll watch it a bit as some doctors don't want to risk a pneumo-thorax situation trying to get cells from such a small nodule. In my case it had grown from 3 to 8mm in a matter of three months so that motivated them to do the OT Biopsy. Lou Barb1260 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginger Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 I just got the call from my Dr with the results of the CT scan. I'm not sure, because I was panicked hearing I needed a biopsy, but I think he said my single nodule was 1.3x1.5. Does that sound right? He is having a pulmonologist call tomorrow to set up and appt for the biopsy. I'm terrified! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Ginger, Did the doctor say 1.3mm X 1.5mm or 1.3cm X 1.5cm? Either way you are dealing with a single small nodule. Most nodules are not cancer. Here is the Cleveland Clinic's discussion about pulmonary nodules and why they form. Notice, most are not related to cancer. So do consult with the pulmonologist but don't push the terrified button. Let's wait till we know what we are dealing with. Here is some information on lung biopsies ahead of tomorrow's discussion. But, you've found the right place for questions about biopsies and nodules and treatments. Try and relax and.... Stay the course. Tom Curt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Hearing you have a lung nodule and need a biopsy is terrifying. I’m sorry you are going through that. Please remember that the majority of lung nodules are benign (not cancer). Also know, in the unlikely event it is cancer, that a single malignant (cancerous) lung nodule of that size is curable, often times with just surgery. Ignore all the scary stuff you read online. Much of it is dated information based on cancer treatments of five + years ago. Tom has provided some really good info for you to digest ahead of your appointment. Hang in there and check in when you need some support. Tom Galli 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane CM Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 Yes, most nodules are benign but I'm not sure that is true if you already have a lung cancer and nodules are growing. In that case the statistics go up. Is my understanding of this correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted October 6, 2019 Share Posted October 6, 2019 Jane, I think nodule concern would be heightened once diagnosed with lung cancer. Stay the course. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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