Hello. I am new to this website and must say I have not been diagnosed with cancer.
Due to a prolonged illness my doctor ordered a chest X-Ray. It showed one 4 cm spot on my lower left lung. He then sent me for a CT scan of my chest yesterday which showed 2 spots on my lower left lung:
1) 4.1 x 3.8 cm
2) 3.8 x 3.8 cm
He wants me to repeat the CT scan again in 6 months, but do nothing further at this time.
My history:
I have never smoked, but grew up in a home of heavy smokers.
I am 51, almost 52 (in a few months).
I worked with cleaning chemicals about 15 years ago,
My mother died from ovarian cancer 6 years ago, my father died from a smoking related disease,
Do you think this is a proper protocol for my situation?
Thank you so so much for your advice.
Reply # - March 4, 2016, 05:07 PM
Hi gr8faith,
Hi gr8faith,
Welcome to GRACE. I'm sorry that your scan showed these nodules, because I know how much worry these findings can cause. We can't tell you what you should do, but I can say that these are not small nodules, and there are two of them, and that would be a factor suggesting more immediate follow-up. Other factors pushing in that direction might include your current illness (if you continue to feel unwell), and your prior exposure to cigarette smoke and perhaps carcinogenic chemicals.
But there are imaging features of nodules which may suggest that they are benign, as Dr. West describes here.(Note that he is discussing solitary pulmonary nodules; risks would increase with multiple nodules). The appearance of your nodules on the scan may have influenced your doctor's recommendations.
If the doctor with whom you're consulting is not a specialist, I think a referral to a pulmonologist would be a good idea. He or she would be able to review the nodules' appearance on the scan, as well as your medical/environmental history, and give an opinion on further workup.
I hope you can get confirmation that these nodules do not represent cancer.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - March 8, 2016, 12:46 PM
Hello Jim,
Hello Jim,
I thank you very much for your advice regarding my CT results. I will certainly give it some consideration as I attempt to decide what steps to take next.
I will say my doctor describes the 2 nodules found on my CT scan as "tiny". These are the nodules I gave you the measurements to: (4.1 x 3.8 and 3.8 x 3.8).
All the research I have found indicates the contrary, and that at this size they are generally classified as a "mass" rather than a "nodule".
Once again, I thank you for your advice.
Reply # - March 8, 2016, 04:08 PM
Hi gr8faith,
Hi gr8faith,
I can't imagine a doctor describing nodules that are 4.1 cm x 3.8 cm and 3.8 cm x 3.8 cm as "tiny". Is it possible that he meant millimeters as opposed to centimeters? The nodules could certainly be called tiny if that's the case.
That would also be consistent with the second nodule not appearing on the xray, and your doctor's advice to "watch and wait".
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - March 9, 2016, 05:29 AM
I went back to the report
I went back to the report again to double check.
I'm quoting the "Diagnostic Report Text" :
"The most caudal and larger of the 2 measures 4.1 x 3.8 CM. Smaller of the 2 nodules measures 3.8 x 3.8 MM"
You were right about one of the nodules measuring MM not CM. Only one measures CM. My mistake.
Thank you so much for pointing this out.
I guess I will wait 6 months for a follow up CT scan like my doctor advises.
Reply # - March 9, 2016, 10:19 AM
I would wonder whether the
I would wonder whether the measurement of both of the nodules was meant to be given in millimeters, and that perhaps the "cm" is a typo, especially if your doctor described both nodules as "tiny".
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - March 18, 2016, 10:22 AM
I believe you have to be
I believe you have to be correct Jim. No Doctor would call 4.1 cm x 3,8 cm, small.
Good Luck and do not worry yet.
Reply # - March 18, 2016, 10:54 AM
I have checked both my
I have checked both my initial X- Ray & my CT scan and I am correct about the size of the 4 cm spot.
I will wait 6 months for a recheck,
Thanks.
Reply # - March 18, 2016, 02:07 PM
The best scan is a CT for
The best scan is a CT for size. I wouldn't wait 6 months for any follow-up. I'd be seeing a pulmonologist now and getting a PET scan and then on to a biopsy to see if this is cancer or not. Since you have an additional nodule already, you don't know if it has spread further since the CT only showed the chest. Hope you don't wait as you don't know what you're dealing with and if it's cancer, you don't know if it's aggressive or not.
Take care, Judy