In 2007 I was in the hospital for a small bowel obstruction. After a Ton of test, I had surgery. the CT scans discovered incidental findings. an 8 mm semi solid nodule in my rul posterior segment was discovered. It was said to be non specific. Months later another ct summarized multiple nodules throughout lungs bilaterally without evidence of calcification. A left adrenal mass was 12mm. Thyroid ct showed a 5.5 x 1.8 x1.3 cm highly vascular nodule on right. A biopsy showed it is begnin. Another ct in 07 revealed a 3.9x2.1 cm multiloculated cystic lesion in the left Senegal region. In Dec 2008 another ct revealed diffuse enlargement of the left adrenal gland and a focal hypodense lesion with Housenfield units of well under 10 consistent with adrenal adenoma. In 2013 another ct stated there was a new prominent unilateral adreniform enlargement of left adrenal 3.2 x 2 x 4.2 cm. Right side unremarkable. Nobody said to follow up. This week, a low dose ct scan was performed. A posterior right upper lobe mildly lobulatecnodule nodule, mean 1.2 cm and lateral posterior letting apex has irregular nodule with mean of 1.0 cm. Mildly irregular posterior lateral rul has mean of 0.7 cm with additional bilateral scattered 5.0 mm and smaller calcified and non calcified nodules in both upper and lower lobes. Suspicious retinopathy in right paratracheal, AP window, and right tracheobronchial regions. Index node right paratracheal region measures ,2.5 x 2.2 cm. And finally, there is a fat density adrenal nodule measuring 1.7 cm.
I am a current smoker. Father died of NSCLC and sister diagnosed (2 weeks ago) with SCLC. I am a female, 56 Years old. I suspect nodules are same as in 2007. Maybe grown?. referral made to pulmonologist and recommended biopsy and PET scan. any interpretation is appreciated. The docs have told me nothing about these nodules for years. Has the growth increased a lot over 9 years? if it was cancer, wouldnt I be dead by now?
Reply # - May 21, 2016, 04:09 PM
Hi kbraaten, Welcome to
Hi kbraaten, Welcome to Grace. I'm very sorry to know about your father and sister. I hope your sister responds well to treatment. It's not at all common for someone to have cancer for 10 years and still be alive though not rare either.
There's a type of lung cancer known as multi-focal BAC that fits the description you've given and all too often biopsies can give a false negative. For some with BAC a normal life span is very possible. The biggest trick is not to over treat, to leave the lungs and body intact for when every bit of good lung tissue is needed.
BAC is treated very differently than sclc which is typically an aggressive fast growing cancer. If there is a diagnosis of multi focal BAC then not knowing for 10 years has given you 10 years of not worrying, a huge plus and not being over treated, a possible life saver. Hopefully you will get some answers soon. If it turns out to be BAC then you will want to be treated by or have 2nd opinions with a lung cancer specialist who regularly treats people with this type of cancer.
The founder of Grace is one such oncologist who is one of the foremost specialists on BAC so we have lots of very good information on the subject. In the following link the first 3 posts are video and transcripts of a 3 part series on BAC produced just a few months ago, http://cancergrace.org/lung/tag/bronchioloalveolar-carcinoma-bac/
This link is a must read too if diagnosed with cancer (or other form of rare condition) about 2nd opinions, http://cancergrace.org/cancer-101/2011/11/13/an-insider%E2%80%99s-guide…
I hope there's an easier answer to your lung and adrenal nodules but if not we're here to help. If you or your sister have questions let us know. I hope for the very best for you both.
Janine
Reply # - May 21, 2016, 05:23 PM
Thank you for your response.
Thank you for your response. Regarding my sister, the MRI and PET Scans support that the cancer hasn't spread. She met with an oncologist last Wednesday. They will be referring her to a surgeon who will talk with her about one more first(checking lymph node) or not, then the plan is LUL removal followed by chemo and radiation. This is the same surgery my father had 12 years ago. My father ended up with hospital acquired aspergillius. So horrible.
I do have a cough that produces phlegm that I assumed was from smoking. It has become worse the past several months and I am constantly short of breath all the time. Again, I do appreciate your response im just really nervous.