Hello,
On march 7,2017 I found out I have a large mass on my right upper lung(8cm) according to my Pulmonologist. Pet scan read 6.7 cm. Since then I've been through 3 biopsies. Needle Guided Cat scan, Thoracenteses and Bronchoscopy. All of them I was told was inconclusive but Pulmonologist suspected Mesothelioma after bronchoscopy. I also have a Brain MRI. None was found. It's almost 2 mos. now. I'm suppose to see another doctor who specializes in Wedge biopsy. My question is... is this possible to have all these biopsies and cant tell me what I got? Also,is this way too many biopsies already? Thoracenteses and Bronchoscopy was done by Pulmonologist. Needle Guided was done by a Radialogy Doctor in another hospital. I was referred to another Oncologist and now referred me to another Oncologist. I'm so overwhelmed with all of this. I need some opinions please.
Thanks a lot,
Lyn
Reply # - April 19, 2017, 02:13 PM
Hi Lyn,
Hi Lyn,
Welcome to GRACE. I'm sorry to hear of your concerning findings, and I understand just how difficult it can be when multiple biopsy results are inconclusive. But each of the procedures you've mentioned can very easily fail to provide an answer. Needle biopsies, even those guided by CT, can fail to obtain enough cells to definitively diagnose the mass, bronchoscopy may be unable to reach the mass through the airways, and even when there is a pleural effusion, cancer cells may not be detected in the fluid that has been removed.
Since it involves obtaining a larger amount of tissue, I would expect a wedge resection to offer a better chance of providing enough tissue.
Here are some links to discussions that may be helpful:
http://cancergrace.org/lung/2011/12/07/yankelevitz-lung-nodules-podcast/
http://cancergrace.org/lung/2010/05/12/general-work-up-and-staging-of-l…
http://cancergrace.org/lung/topic/differential-diagnosis-for-lung-disea…
I hope you have a good meeting with the new doctor.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - April 19, 2017, 02:23 PM
Thank you so much JimC. At
Thank you so much JimC. At least you explain it to me plain and simple. I'm just worried because it is taking so long and lots of wasted of days. In the mean time whatever I have hopefully are not spreading.
Lyn
Reply # - April 19, 2017, 02:51 PM
If it was spreading, it would
If it was spreading, it would've been seen on the PET and MRI. So looks like you're ok there for now.
Did they find anything at all? Just because it's inconclusive for cancer, could it be infectious?
Take care, Judy
Reply # - April 20, 2017, 02:58 PM
Hello Judy,
Hello Judy,
Thank God it is only on my right lobe. The PET Dr. said it might be infection/inflammation and malignancy suspected . My Pulmonologist thinks it's a Mesothelioma after he did my Bronchoscopy. I've never been around asbestos and I don't know another cause of Meso. At one point my Pulmo said its stage 3 A cancer. He said he is worried about my hyper metabolic activity SUV of 25. He said its very high. I ask my Pulmo to do another x-ray to see if it has spread but had said to wait after I see the Thoracic Surgeon (Apr. 24).
I have some blood spots sometimes when I cough. and a funny feeling under my breast. Thank you for the encouraging words. I have nobody to talk to. My husband do the best he can. I think he doesn't know how to deal with it. I know he suffering for me too.
I just want to know what's wrong with me so I can go forward.
Thanks again,
Lyn
Reply # - April 20, 2017, 04:59 PM
I'd ask why they think you'd
I'd ask why they think you'd be stage IIIA if it's cancer since you said you have no spread anywhere else.
Did any lymph nodes light up? Let us know how you make out with the surgeon. I wouldn't be surprised if they get you right in and get it taken out. Good luck!
Take care, Judy
Reply # - May 2, 2017, 11:05 AM
Just a return to guess at an
Just a return to guess at an answer to Judy's last question. The size of the mass is probably considered large enough to stage it at 3.
Missrus1 I hope you're getting answers.