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Hi All, I am a newbie so forgive me if I am posting in the wrong area of the forum. I recently had my first LDCT Lung Cancer Screening Scan and the results are as follows:

CT FINDINGS:
Lung screening specific:

Nodule 1: Image # 137, size range 5-6 mm, density ground glass, shape round, margins indistinct, location left lower lobe, previous size N/A

Nodule 2: Image # 158, size range 4-5 mm, density groundglass, shape round, margins indistinct, location right middle lobe, previous size N/A.

Nodule 3: Image # 197, size range 4-5 mm, density part solid, shape round, margins indistinct, location right middle lobe, previous size N/A.

Nodule 4: Image # 64, size range 6-7 mm, density groundglass, shape round, margins indistinct, location left upper lobe, previous size N/A.

Potentially significant incidental findings (lungRad Category S): None. Incidental pulmonary findings: Calcified granuloma in the right upper lobe.

Incidental nonpulmonary findings: Ectatic ascending thoracic aorta measuring 3.9 cm in AP dimension. Granulomatous sequelae in the spleen.

IMPRESSION/LungRads code:
1. LungRads category # 2, benign.

2. LungRads category S, negative, no significant incidental findings are found.

RECOMMENDATION: Follow-up LDCT in 12 months.

 

I am trying to wrap my head around what all this means but I am terrified to say the least. A little background on me. I am Female, 52 years old, Former Smoker, 20-22 year pack history. Quit smoking 15 years ago at age 37. My father passed away from NSCLC - adenocarcinoma at age 68. His was stage IIIB and he fought it for 10 months before passing from it. He was also a former smoker having had quit 20 years before diagnosis. I know first hand how devastating this disease can be. I am looking for any thoughts, or perhaps reassurances on my results. I feel like follow up in 12 months seems too long given my smoking history and family history. Although I do understand that the LUNGRADS categorization chart was modeled for people getting annual LDCT screenings for lung cancer due to smoking history. Thank you for any insights anyone can provide who has has maybe similar situation as mine that maybe helpful to me as I go forward from here. Take care all.

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Sorry you're going through this.   Theses findings are not all that unusual. Up tob30% of LDCTs will come back with ground glass opacities (GGO).  These are areas that look like etched glass.   Not completely opaque and you can see the structures behind them.   They can be caused by a lot of different things and are not normally cancers.   Up to 30%of LDCTs have them while only 2% of all LDCTs result in finding cancer. 

Ground glass opacities that do grow tend to grow real slow. So slow they will not normally even biopsy a GGO without a solid component until it's 20mm. and yearlyCT scans are recommended.  If they grow by 1.5mm or more they'll decrease the interval to 6 months. 

Now you do have a part solid nodule that's 4-5 mm.  It's suggested to rescan in a year as well.  But a 6mm part solid nodule would suggest a 6 month scan.  Because it's so close and 1mm could be just the person reading the scan maybe ask someone else to read it and see if it's 6mm or will agree to ordering a repeat scan in 6 months. 

If insurance is a problem mdsave.com can find places less than $200.

Have you talked with your primary care provider yet? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What this scan says to me is that you need a very good interpretation from a pulmonologist, which would accompany a visit to talk about how to address these findings. Until then, please do not try to determine what the findings signify all by yourself. It's a surefire way to make yourself a basket case. 

I'd suggest your next task is to find a good one and get an appointment. I love mine, however I didn't seek him out-- I lucked in to him during the diagnostic process. Perhaps your PCP can recommend a good one in your area?  

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2 hours ago, edivebuddy said:

Sorry you're going through this.   Theses findings are not all that unusual. Up tob30% of LDCTs will come back with ground glass opacities (GGO).  These are areas that look like etched glass.   Not completely opaque and you can see the structures behind them.   They can be caused by a lot of different things and are not normally cancers.   Up to 30%of LDCTs have them while only 2% of all LDCTs result in finding cancer. 

Ground glass opacities that do grow tend to grow real slow. So slow they will not normally even biopsy a GGO without a solid component until it's 20mm. and yearlyCT scans are recommended.  If they grow by 1.5mm or more they'll decrease the interval to 6 months. 

Now you do have a part solid nodule that's 4-5 mm.  It's suggested to rescan in a year as well.  But a 6mm part solid nodule would suggest a 6 month scan.  Because it's so close and 1mm could be just the person reading the scan maybe ask someone else to read it and see if it's 6mm or will agree to ordering a repeat scan in 6 months. 

If insurance is a problem mdsave.com can find places less than $200.

Have you talked with your primary care provider yet? 

 

Hello, thank you so much for your reply. I am thinking about what you said about the part solid nodule and that sounds reasonable to me. I will ask about a sooner scan. Thank you!

 

2 hours ago, edivebuddy said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1 hour ago, Karen_L said:

What this scan says to me is that you need a very good interpretation from a pulmonologist, which would accompany a visit to talk about how to address these findings. Until then, please do not try to determine what the findings signify all by yourself. It's a surefire way to make yourself a basket case. 

I'd suggest your next task is to find a good one and get an appointment. I love mine, however I didn't seek him out-- I lucked in to him during the diagnostic process. Perhaps your PCP can recommend a good one in your area?  

Thank you Karen, I found a pulmonologist in my area that I am going to make an appointment to go see. I agree, best for me not to try to figure this out alone. :)

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Hi Hercules!  I agree with 6 month scan - would hope that wouldn't be a problem with insurance.  It too had several ground glass nodules found in Sept 2023.  They got a 3 month scan approved then another 6 month scan.  Given all those are stable we're moving out longer.  Most of mine were also 6 mm though I had one or two that were larger (9 mm and 11 mm or similar) tho still small so maybe that made the 3 month possible.  Wishing you the best with your pulm appointment and hope you can get a sooner scan!

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