Lung tumour missed on CT scan?

andrea15
Posts:7

Hi

Is anyone able to comment on the likelihood of a pancoast tumour being missed on CT scan with contrast?

I have had shoulder pain/burning radiating down my arm for 4 weeks. I have had a clear xray and CT that showed no abnormalities or lymphadenopathy.

I am hugely anxious that the CT scan may have not shown the tumour.

Any insights or experience/reassurance would be helpful.

Many thanks

Forums
General Lung/Thoracic Cancer

Reply # - February 27, 2020, 04:24 PM

JanineT GRACE …
Posts: 661
GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi Andrea,

 

I'm sorry you're having this pain.  A CT, especially with contrast, will pick up a tumor in the apex of the lung.  The way it shows cross-sections every few mm's of the area (think looking at each piece of sliced bread) picks up any soft tissue tumor over a couple of mms.  For a pancoast tumor to cause pain it would be much larger than that.

 

Most of the time pancoast tumors are mistaken for hugely more common orthopedic issues before being picked up by a CT scan.  I hope you can find what's happening with your arm.

 

Take care,

Janine

I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.

Reply # - March 2, 2020, 04:40 AM

andrea15
Posts: 7

Janine

Was it your husband who was diagnosed with a Pancoast tumour?

The pain in my spine and numbness is almost unbearable and I only have pain relief for night times.

I am sleepy all the time and my anxiety is through the roof.

Andrea

Reply # - February 27, 2020, 06:09 PM

Jim C GRACE Co…
Posts: 147

GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi Andrea,

 

I will add that in the almost 12 years that I've been active on the GRACE site, many people have posted similar questions but none have returned to state that a pancoast tumor was later diagnosed after not being seen on a CT. 

 

I hope that the true cause of your pain can be discovered, and that when an appropriate treatment plan is in place you will begin to feel much better.

 

Jim C Forum Moderator

Reply # - March 2, 2020, 01:37 AM

andrea15
Posts: 7

Thank you both for replying. I am growing increasingly worried that the CT was misread as I have severe burning pains in my neck and top of spine. I don't see consultant for another week.

Reply # - March 2, 2020, 07:25 AM

andrea15
Posts: 7

So my CT scan has been viewed again by the same radiologist looking specifically for a Pancoast tumour. His remarks are that both apices of he lungs are clear

I have to believe they haven't missed anything now

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