follow up x-rays - 1265181

malki13
Posts:92

Mom had an xray done by the pulmonologist that identified her 2cm spiculated mass 11 years ago and wanted it out then...of course he needed to remind her of that as we presented the surgical pathology report. He said her post surgical xray looked "fabulous" no fluid etc...and that her lungs sound excellent. I asked him if he saw the tumor (surgeon said he never took it out) doctor said "no you wouldn't see that on the xray...remember it was on the bottom of the lobe"

This confused me. My moms 4cm opacity was first identified from a pre surgical x-ray. Was there something miscommunicated? I'm pretty sure xrays show tumors, I just think I missed something in how they are best seen post surgery.

* Also interesting is that he said "we know this is not aggressive" (I'm glad he knows that ) and he also said that my moms age makes all of the pathology: mucinous..tumor type... etc different and not applicable.

Then he said ...I'm not sure what will be moms ultimate demise, but Im pretty sure it wont be this, nor will it interfere with her quality of life...I did add that the surgeon used the word diffuse...and he said...I dont see any of that on this pathology report or in her history....

The only thing that correlates his input making me somewhat calm is that he did do a bronchoscopy on her...albeit 11 years ago...

Anyway I digress..I really just wanted to understand what the purpose of surgical follow up xrays are, why they are important and what are they able to show of importance.
thank you
malki

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Reply # - July 29, 2014, 06:09 AM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

x-rays after surgery are largely done to check whether there's any fluid accummulating and that the lung is inflating well.

It sounds like her doc is saying the same thing that I've been suggesting -- this cancer can be very indolent, so there is a major risk of over-treating it.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

Reply # - July 29, 2014, 06:16 AM

malki13
Posts: 92

Yes he sounded very much like you .. And thank you....he still of course suggested that we meet with an oncologist but his background, interests, and training ( residency at sloan) in lung cancer as a pulmonologist versus other problems in the lung was a comfort to us yesterday ... Especially my mom

Why wouldn't one be able to see the tumor xray after surgery?

Reply # - July 29, 2014, 06:48 AM

JimC
Posts: 2753

X-rays aren't all that high-resolution to begin with, and surgery creates plenty of scar tissue which helps to obscure the view.

JimC
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Reply # - July 29, 2014, 02:55 PM

malki13
Posts: 92

Oh..thank you Jim.....I went for an xray of my own lungs due to Legionella last year...I am sure hoping that if I had a mass it would show up..so you're saying in that situation it would...just post surgery it wouldn't?

thank you
Malki

Reply # - July 29, 2014, 04:17 PM

malki13
Posts: 92

Hi cards up...I see you posted but I dont see anything other than your bio...hope youre doing well.

Reply # - July 30, 2014, 11:32 AM

cards7up
Posts: 636

Sorry, I had nothing to add, so I deleted it or thought I did. No delete button! I'm doing well thank you.
Take care, Judy

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