Growing Pure GroundGlass Nodule - 1251399

liz2012
Posts:2

This is my first post. I would like some advice. The history started in 2010.
My husband fifty nine years old. Here are the history of his CT scans (done for some minor cough at that that time).
2010 May - small ground glass nodule present in the left upper lobe. The margins are somewhat ill-defined. Follow up is recommended
2010 Nov - comparison CT Scan - 1cm ground glassnodule is unchanged, no new modules are seen. This may still represent a slowly growing adenocarcinoma/BAC. Follow up in 1 year.
2011 Nov - The left upper lobe groundglass nodule remain stable in size measuring 1.7cm. This remain suspicious for adenocarcinoma in situ. Follow up one year.
2012 Nov - Well cirumscribed pure ground glass nodule in the left lungapex has increased, It is now measures close to 2cm. no new lung lessions. no enlarged mediastinal lymph noedes. Indication: ? Adenocarcinoma in situ.

My husband is in great condition and use to run 3 times a week until last month when he got knee injury. Doctors do not want to do biopsy as they claim it will be non-conlusive. We are waiting for the board decision on what to do next. Reading through the research from Asia and some discussion on this forum it looks like the only logical decision would be the lobectomy (they say the wedge is not possible as the nodule is too deep).

I would appreciate any opinion here.
Thanks
Liz

Forums

Dr West
Posts: 4735

It sounds like it is very likely to be a very indolent lung adenocarcinoma or adenocarcinoma in situ, which means it's non-invasive. These are likely to continue to grow very slowly for years and years and years, but there's always a chance that they will become more aggressive over time. In someone who is older and has many medical problems, a strong argument could be made to just follow it, presume that it won't be clinically relevant over the next several years, and not worry about the distant future. But in someone who is relatively young and fit and doesn't have competing medical problems, we would typically want to do whatever surgery is necessary to definitely diagnose and treat a growing lung nodule.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

liz2012
Posts: 2

Thanks a lot Dr. West for your response and opinion. We have a follow up meeting on Wed this week after which I may have more questions.
Best Regards,
Liz