Lung Nodule

Hi Debbie,

Welcome to Grace.  I'm sorry you're having these issues.  There is no way of knowing if a lung nodule is benign by just looking at a scan.  Cancer can only be diagnosed by looking at tissue through a microscope (from a biopsy).  People get lung nodules all the time that are benign, much more often than cancer.  So it's most likely not cancer.  It's pretty standard to watch it to see if it grows, hence rescan in 6 months (some docs would initially rescan in 3 months but there's no standard in timing scans).  So the first question I'd ask is has it changed in size.  Getting an exact comparison to the original scan may not be feasible since the first said partial image but a general comparison is probably possible.   A nodule under a cm (10mm) would be difficult if not impossible to capture a biopsy from and doing surgery to find out it's a benign nodule carries a lot of unnecessary risks.   So you watch and wait.

Our faculty are oncologists and aren't pulmonologists who work up and diagnose lung cancer so there's no special insight to be gleaned from them.  My husband had a malignant tumor in his apical lobe.  They are unlike normal lung tumors in the way they grow toward the outside of the lung into the chest wall.  The damage (and pain) that occurs begins much earlier in its course so they are found earlier.  The damage can involve the brachial plexus, ribs, and/or cervical spine.

I think I would want to know if the nodule has changed in size.  If it appears to have grown ask about redoing the scan in 3 or 4 months instead of 6.  These types of tumors are rare so if you're not a pulmonologist or lung cancer specialist you may not know about them.  So ask your doc if she knows about them.  You may want to see a pulmonologist to get their opinion. 

Finally,  if it hasn't changed in the almost 10 months since it was first seen it probably isn't going anywhere, and rescanning in 6 months to make sure it stays put is reassuring.  I hope that's the case.  

All best,

Janine

The nodule's done nothing for 10 months that's an excellent sign that this is benign.  It happens a lot.  Most people who smoke or have smoked have nodules in their lungs that do nothing after they show up.  You'll know that as time goes by and the scans don't change.

Lung cancer is rarely caused by family genetics.  When you hear about mutations in lung cancer they are talking about gene mutations that aren't hereditary.  Feeling guilty about smoking isn't helpful.  Mortality isn't something you understand when you start, at least I didn't anyway.  BTW, I quit the day my husband came home from the hospital with his diagnosis and he quit the day he went into the hospital.  Our faculty would tell you the same.  Don't be ashamed. 

I just had a thought.  We get a lot, a lot of people who post on here probably with cervical radiculopathy that think they have a pancoast tumor (a tumor that starts at the apex of the lung and grows into the chest wall.  My husband's was.   I have had cervical radiculopathy for years and when my husband explained his symptoms (before that got bad) I told him it was prob what I have.  His explanation of it sounded like what I have.   But the pain down his arm was from the brachial plexus, not his neck.  Use your body's knowledge to judge any symptoms that might come up on that side. 

It's important to talk to your doctor about it, maybe get an opinion from a pulmonologist.  Unlike other lung cancer where it can grow without notice because your lungs have few nerve endings, a tumor that grows at the apex of the lung will let you know (cause symptoms) if it grows.  But again, if it's done nothing for 10 months that's an excellent sign that this is benign.  It happens a lot.  Most people who smoke or have smoked have nodules in their lungs that do nothing after they show up.  You'll know that as time goes by and the scans don't change. 

I'm hoping for no change, and yes, waiting is the hardest part :(.

Janine

Hey Debbie, That bike is a big!  Its been several years now that the heaviest thing I ride is a scooter.  Do you ride still?

Hi Nicky, I would suggest that you read a few forum threads from people who think they may have a pancoast tumor because they have pain and numbness in that area.  You will find that there are many and none have returned to say they have cancer.  As a matter of fact, I have pinched nerves in my spine that cause pain and numbness from neck to fingers, depending on my physical activities (beginner's yoga from a  trained pro is amazing for my type of problem as well.  PT as well can be effective).  See a doctor and get her opinion.   It makes sense for Debbie (OP) to be cautious she has a nodule in the area where pancoast tumors are found.  Even her's is probably not but having a nodule and pain makes sense to keep an eye on.  

I hope you are better soon.

Nicky, I'm going to move this conversation to the other thread where you commented.  I think it will be more appropriate there.  :)

Nickyloon, never feel you need to apologize here.  :)