Mark C Posted May 19, 2020 Share Posted May 19, 2020 Hi all, I have not been around in a while, as all was good and I was just living life. I had a left pneumonectomy 4/18, then 4 rounds chemo for 2b squamous cell. All my scans to this point have been good until now. I have a new 3mm "non specific" nodule on lower right lobe. I see onc tomorrow but I am kind of worried. CEA numbers are still good and there was no mention of enlarged nodes or anything else. I suspect there will be a watch & wait approach? I was just looking for others thoughts or experiences with nodules showing up. Thank you!! Tom Galli and ColleenRae 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 Mark, I do remember you! I do hope that 3mm thing stays “non specific”. As you likely recall, most lung nodules are not cancer but for folks with a history of lung cancer, many nodules do in fact turn out to be recurrences. Good that you were being followed up. A 3mm find is much better than a 3cm find. If future scans show concern, don’t forget to investigate the surgery-like treatment power of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a treatment method. Radiation oncologist are getting very aggressive in using this precision radiation in frying nodules. Stay the course. Tom MBinOregon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBinOregon Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 Hi Mark, After the right pneumonectomy back in May 2018, all the scans were "fine" (will explain the quotation in a sec) until the latest CT last month. They saw nodules in the right pleural area, right armpit lymph node(s) and behind right collar bone. Followed up with PET scan. A long story short, the tumor board decided they have been there "a while" (although I had been told "fine". Yes, it's confusing to me too, anyway) and rather than putting me through an invasive biopsy, they decided to watch more closely, so I'm on 3 month CT scan schedule (I did enjoy 6 month schedule for a years. Sigh). Stupid nodules... Sending you warm thoughts, MB Tom Galli and ColleenRae 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C Posted May 20, 2020 Author Share Posted May 20, 2020 Thanks Tom & MB! I appreciate the sentiment. It is a wait & see deal. 3 months, so I guess i wait. Ugh! Tom, she mentioned that if it does turn out to be a tumor, we could cyberknife it. (One of the options). That is what you are referring to, no?? My local cancer center has a unit on premise. If need be, I say we fry it!!!😁 I'll be lurking. Mark Tom Galli 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 Mark, CyberKnife is a type of SBRT. An analogy can be made with personal computers. There are PCs and MACs, but both are personal computers and do the same thing by slightly different methods. My SBRT used a CyberKnife and I am a fan. So fry on if necessary. Stay their course. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C Posted August 17, 2020 Author Share Posted August 17, 2020 Hi all, Just got my nodule re scanned & it is still "non specific", the same size & "more faint than on last scan and likely benign". I am quite happy today. Just thought I would update. Mark ColleenRae, Tom Galli and Rower Michelle 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 Yay, Mark!! GREAT news! Do keep an eye on it, though. After three years, I'm dealing with a recurrence. Hopefully yours continues on its happy, non-specific, non-growing way. Tom Galli, Mark C and BridgetO 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C Posted August 17, 2020 Author Share Posted August 17, 2020 Hi Lexi, We will be watching for sure. I have been following along about your situation as well. You are the last person I thought this would happen to, given your history and early stage dx. The random way these things happen is crazy. Sending positive vibes your way. Thank you for all you do for me and all the others here. Tom Galli, ColleenRae and LexieCat 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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