Several New Pulmonary Nodules Both Lungs / 6 months - 1271353

koal
Posts:29

Original tumor 3x3x5 cm Cyberknifed 4 yrs 4 months ago LLL. Last PET scan 6 months ago showed two small nodules but no other issues. CT scan last week shows several new poorly nodules in both lungs. The new nodules measuring 5.6 x 4.1 mm, 5.5 x 4.3 mm, 5.6 x 4.1 mm, And two previous nodules slightly enlarging. Additionally it shows Multiple tiny nodules in the right middle and lower lobes.
Would these nodules be considered "fast growing" not having been there 6 months ago? Do lung nodules start out at sizes described above or do they all grow from pin point size?
Is this characteristic of metastasis or more of a infection / fungi?
I did have a acute choking cough that lasted five weeks nine weeks ago with no explanation. Went to a allergist who said I was not allergic to anything. Cough then abruptly left.
Now scheduled for a PET scan.
Thank you.

Forums
Full Archive

Reply # - October 1, 2015, 07:39 AM

JimC
Posts: 2753

Hi koal,

Welcome back to GRACE. Putting together the cough you had which "abruptly left" and the tiny nodules you're seeing on your scan, it seems entirely possible that, as you suggest, you may have had an infection which has improved but is still visible on the CT. Without treatment, symptoms of lung cancer typically neither improve nor disappear. Of course, after a cancer diagnosis, recurrence is a possibility, but hopefully the PET scan will help provide further insight.

Good luck with the follow-up on these findings.

JimC
Forum moderator

Reply # - October 4, 2015, 10:32 AM

koal
Posts: 29

Would progression typically show up in this manner? The appearance of several nodules in different places.

Reply # - October 4, 2015, 07:26 PM

catdander
Posts:

Cancer can and does happen in just about any way. It's not typical to progress after 3 years so if one progresses after 4 years with several nodules in both lungs it would have had to become quite aggressive, more often just one nodule shows up and then watched to see if and how fast it grows. If a nodule becomes a cm and accessible it may be biopsied.
Progression can show up with several nodules in both lungs and within a matter of months. However as Jim said it's as possible to be lingering effects of an infection which would also explain the come and gone cough.

I hope this is helpful.

Janine

Reply # - October 4, 2015, 07:26 PM

catdander
Posts:

Cancer can and does happen in just about any way. It's not typical to progress after 3 years so if one progresses after 4 years with several nodules in both lungs it would have had to become quite aggressive, more often just one nodule shows up and then watched to see if and how fast it grows. If a nodule becomes a cm and accessible it may be biopsied.
Progression can show up with several nodules in both lungs and within a matter of months. However as Jim said it's as possible to be lingering effects of an infection which would also explain the come and gone cough.

I hope this is helpful.

Janine

Reply # - October 6, 2015, 10:33 PM

koal
Posts: 29

PET scan today shows no active disease. No answer as to why the new nodules.

Reply # - October 7, 2015, 09:34 AM

catdander
Posts:

Hi Koal,

PET scans don't often pick up SUV from nodules under 1cm whether or not it's cancer so it would be appropriate to continue to monitor the new nodules every 3 or so to see what they do. It is very possible that they will fade or not grow because they are from an infection, that's what I'm hoping for.

All the best of luck,
Janine

Reply # - November 14, 2015, 09:22 PM

koal
Posts: 29

UPDATE

Follow up PET, nodules that appeared in CAT scan have disappeared. Wanted to give you a update and thank you for the information.

Previous PostNext Post