indeterminate pulmonary nodule....help!

gqmom · 02-06-2012, 04:00 PM

On my initial CT scan during staging, a pulmonary nodule was identified measuring 4mm (in May 2011). On subsequent CT scans, the same nodule was seen and was 3mm. My oncologist says this was most likely because the scans were done at different locations, different scanners, etc. On the last CT, the report says that the nodule "appears to be less dense and less well-defined" than on the original CT scan done in May. This scan was in December. My oncologist is not concerned and feels that it is scar tissue...not metastatic disease. I went to a pulmonologist and she says that she can't be "SURE" without a biopsy (which can't be done because it's so small) but that it could very well be scar tissue. She also checked with her colleagues and they agree. They have all said we will watch it with CT scans every few months. I'm so scared it's cancer....I can't stop thinking about it. I'm wondering if anyone else has had something like this and if it was NOT cancer. I am stage 2A (T1aN1miM0). ER-/PR-HER2+; left mx, 4AC/12Taxol and Herceptin; now Herceptin every 3 weeks.

CoolBreeze · 02-06-2012, 04:11 PM

Yes, I have had the exact same thing as you. It isn't cancer. I had pneumonia years ago and it is believed that the thing they see on my lungs is scar tissue from that.

I did have mets to the liver (had a resection) and have had many CTs. The scar tissue never grows so we are pretty sure that one spot is just scarring.

Remember, all of us have as many little things - scars, nodules, etc inside our bodies as we do outside. It's only the lucky ones, like us, that get to see them.

I wouldn't worry since it hasn't grown.

BonnieR · 02-06-2012, 04:21 PM

Long story...I had a chronic cough. Scans "lit up". Only way to biopsy it was surgical because it could not be reached otherwise. The biopsy came back positive for lung cancer. I had a lobe of my lung removed. A few days later, I was told a mistake had been made and it was NOT cancer but probably a residual pneumonia!
SO, please dont let people be hasty and jump to conclusions! I should have seen a pulmonologist who would have watched it (or given me meds to see if it resolved) before doing the surgical route. We are subject to alot of ailments besides cancer and sometimes scans turn up red herrings. Be grateful that they are not rushing to judgement and try to not worry until you have a concrete reason to. Dont borrow trouble. Keep the faith.

Becky · 02-06-2012, 04:50 PM

Heart disease runs hard in my family (young) so at the constant urging of my primary care physician, I had the CT scan of the coronary arteries. The arteries were fine and clear but they saw something in the top lobe of the right lung. This radiologist said he could not determine what it was and referenced that I was a bc survivor and it should be watched (I am stage 2 as well as you).

I made them send these scans to my onc and my rad onc who said it was from an old infection. I also saw a pulmonary doctor who agreed.

So - it happens - we all have weird stuff in us that we would never know about if we didn't have cancer tests.

Vicky · 02-06-2012, 05:36 PM

Yes, I have a spot that is 3 mm in my lung and its too small to do anything with it right now and we are also watching and rescanning. The radiologist and my onc think it could definitely just be due to an infection or a scar of some kind.

I know its hard to wait and feel as though you are doing nothing! But hang in there!

mmoons · 02-06-2012, 08:01 PM

Hi,

I had scans about 6 months after I finished treatment that showed a spot on my lung. It was the same side as my breast cancer. After lots of scary weeks and lots of opinions, we came to the concensus that it is just scar tissue. Now 2+ years later and it has not changed. Hoping yours in the same.

Hang in there. It is hard not to be scared.

Maureen

Jean · 02-06-2012, 10:02 PM

After my lumpectomy I had a full scan done. A small nodule was found in my lung. The lung specialist suggested we watch and follow up. It was too small
to biopsey plus the dr. felt it was old scaring from past infections. Lung dr. also thought that the radiation that was done also could be the cause, he ordered strong anti biotic and suggested we watch. Had repeated scans in a few months and the nodule had not changed. This checking continue for another year. It is now almost 7 yrs. later. Hope this helps you to feel more confident and you can relax a bit. The early days of dx and treatment are so difficult - soon you will be posting your many years since treatment also.

Best wishes,
Jean

Ellie F · 02-07-2012, 05:06 AM

Yep, had exactly the same thing but more small spots all around the 2-4 mm size. my onc rescanned and the initial ones had gone but I had a new one. This also subsequently went.The report from the radiologist concluded they were small inflammatory reponses not cancer. Apparently any slight upper respiratory infection can show these sort of lesions. Hope this helps
Ellie

Rich66 · 02-07-2012, 01:02 PM

In the midwest of the US (and less elsewhere I suppose) there is a susceptibility to granulomas, a benign situation that can show up as a tiny spot.

gqmom · 02-07-2012, 03:00 PM

Thank you all for your comforting words.....this is just so scary. I have two little boys and my mind is constantly going down "those dark roads".

Lien · 02-07-2012, 04:13 PM

I hear you about the dark roads. But I know of three cases where docs were pretty sure the patient had lung mets, scared them out of their socks, and then it turned out to be scar tissue. We call it scare tissue now.

If it doesn't grow, it's probably just that.

Hugs

Jacqueline
(Who had a 3 yo & an 8 yo when she was diagnosed.)