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In January I had a ct done in the er the Dr. told me I had multiple masses the size of dimes in my right lung. I follow up with my Dr. and they said it was just a solitary lung nodule 3mm in size. I was uncomfortable with the differences in what the er doc said and what my primary gp said si I requested a follow up ct 6 months later. The follow up ct said that the 5mm nodule was unchanged, however the first ct said it was 3mm. I called radiology and told them of my concerns, a while later they called back and made an addeendum to the first report saying that it was still 3mm and unchanged. I have lost confidence in whether any of them know what they are talking about. I have copies of both scans and would like someone else to view them.
Forums
Reply # - August 20, 2016, 01:42 PM
I also have all of the
I also have all of the reports uploaded on my comp . I am in Wichita Ks.
Reply # - August 20, 2016, 01:42 PM
Were they both done in the
Were they both done in the same place using the same machine? Get copies of both on CD and then ask
to be referred to a pulmonary doctor. They will review and let you know what's going on. Even if it's still just a 5mm nodule, that's not much growth form 3mm in 6 months. Most likely just benign nodules. What brought you to the ER and having a CT done? Take care, Judy
P.S. I am not a medical professional but a two time lung cancer survivor and advocate.
Reply # - August 20, 2016, 01:48 PM
Yes same hospital I do not
Yes same hospital I do not know if it was the same machine. I had been sick with upper resp. infection since November and just could not seem to get better. I have copies of both ct's on cd. I am suppose to go back and see my gp next month.
Reply # - August 20, 2016, 01:56 PM
I can tell you that those
I can tell you that those symptoms would not be caused by a 3 or 5mm nodule. What the ER doctor saw might have been opacities that could be related to a respiratory infection.Were you put on any antibiotics?
Are you still having respiratory problems? Again, you should ask to see a pulmonary specialist.
Take care, Judy
Reply # - August 21, 2016, 01:37 PM
I agree with Judy. If you're
I agree with Judy. If you're still having respiratory problems a pulmonologist shoulod have the expertise to find the likely culprit. A 3 or 5 mm nodule isn't likely to cause symptoms (cancer or not). To understand why a 3 and 5 mm nodule may in fact be the same size you need to understand that a CT scan takes individual xrays every few mm. Think of it like a loaf of sliced bread, every slice is an xray, then imagine that the 1st scan landed it's largest pic of the nodule at a lower place than where it landed in the 2nd scan. I hope that makes sense.
It's possible you had an infection and in following it a solitary benign nodule was picked up. Solitary nodules are most usually benign but further followup should tell whether it is indeed growing or not and is the standard practice.
Janine
Reply # - August 21, 2016, 03:20 PM
Yes thank you both, I never
Yes thank you both, I never believed that the nodule was causing my symptoms. I just am concerned with the varying information I was receiving like the er doc telling me that I had multiple masses in my lung the size of dimes . I mean really that was very concerning to me, and them my gp saying that there was just a solitary nodule that was much smaller than the er doc had stated. I just do not understand the discrepancy and then seemingly another one when there was a difference in the size of the nodule compared to the first ct. But I understand what you are saying about how the measurements can be a little off.
Reply # - August 21, 2016, 07:44 PM
I was suggesting that the
I was suggesting that the "multiple nodules" reported by the ER doc may have been infection or inflammation. Either of which could have resolved before the next scan. All I've written is complete speculation on my part if you want to know how this could all be you should speak directly to those involved in your care. It's very common to take a list of your questions so you don't forget what you wanted to ask and take notes while your there so you don't forget.
All best,
Janine
Reply # - August 21, 2016, 08:00 PM
Yes I understand but I am
Yes I understand but I am talking about a discrepancy in the results of the very first scan the er doc said that there were multiple dime size masses however my gp said that it only showed a single nodule this is concerning the scan done in january how can therehave been such a major difference.
Reply # - August 22, 2016, 10:25 AM
I'm sorry for the
I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. I misread that you'd had 3 total. Radiologists are doctors trained specifically to read these scans, they report on the scans, and should be the person with the final say on what's being seen. The best way to know what the radiologist saw is to get a copy of his/her reports, you should only have to ask for copies from your GP's office.
I hope that helps,
Janine
Reply # - August 22, 2016, 01:35 PM
You can also get a copy of
You can also get a copy of what the ER doctor said when you were evaluated there. And as Janine said, get a copy of the radiologist report also if it's not included on the CD. Masses would be over 3 cm and a dime is possibly 1/2 inch which is around 1.2 cm, so these would not be masses. No one can know why the ER doc said what he did, you'd have to ask him. I'm sure your GP can get the info from the ER.
Take care, Judy