???? CT results

DonnaD · 11-15-2007, 05:15 AM

I got the results of my CT yesterday afternoon. Not what I had hoped but we think we have an explanation.
Three subcentimeter upper lobe lung nodules were found. After my onc had a consultation with the radiation onc and her team they feel it is from radiation. The fractured rib and nodules are all in the radiation field. Another CT will be done in two months. Blood tests will be back today with first time tumor markers.

Has anyone had this or have you heard of this side effect from radiation? If they are from radiation will they be there forever or slowly heal?

I am feeling better than when I first read the CT report. Won't feel comfortable until the next CT and comments from my sisters here.

Thanks,
Donna

Alice · 11-15-2007, 10:23 AM

Hi Donna,

I also have lung nodules in the area of the radiation site. My onc is certain that these are scarring due to the radiation. I also have multiple nodules in both lower periferal lung lobes. These were discovered by accident when I had an abdominal CT to check my ovary. Needless to say I was devistated at the time. Because they were too small to catagorize as cancer my onc also feels these are residual from treatment. At this point we are just keeping an eye on them. i went back for a CT at 3 and 6 months and they were stable- no growth, so I have ellected to skip the next CT and will go back at the 1 year mark which is comming up next month. If they are still stable at that point I am going to start to believe my onc, but not until then.
Good luck, Alice

DonnaD · 11-15-2007, 10:30 AM

Alice,
Thanks you so much. It really helps to know someone else is experiencing this. Here's hoping your next CT shows no growth and you can finally relax.

Why does life have to have all these ups and downs.
Donna

Linda · 11-15-2007, 10:55 AM

Donna:
I had a single lung nodule show up in a chest CT (this was a followup for another single nodule that had actually been there, exactly the same, before I started treatment...meaning the first nodule was just some old scar from god knows what.) After the second scare (and it was really scary) I had a full CT/ Pet which was then read by several different radiologists, who all agreed that it was radiation scarring. That was over a year ago, when I said "enough" to routine scanning, even though I'm high risk (stage 3a). I'm totally fine now, by the way.
This is the downside of routine scanning, and lungs are particularily apt to have benign marks/scars on them. You could ask for your scan to be read by other docs (find the best radiologist in town -- I won't have any more scans read by whoever's on call.)
You shouldn't have to wait for months in fear. See if you can get more info now.
Best
Linda

Jean · 11-15-2007, 12:08 PM

Donna,
As Linda stated, when these routine scans are performed they pick up all sorts of normal scarring. I went 2.5 yrs. ago for a routine scan after bc. dx. They picked up a small nodule 2mm...went back 6 months later to re-scan and check, no change. Then again another 6 months, and it did become smaller. Could be scar, could be infection,
but now I am down to checking 1 X a yr. Last visit the lung specialist said he doubts 99% that it is a cancer. Whew, that felt good to hear.
So I hope this helps you to feel a bit better. Grace on the site has been watching nodules for years. My general dr. tells me that many people have them and it does not mean it is cancer. Your dr. will most likely recommend checking on them. Easier said then done but try not to worry.
As long as they stay stat....that is a good sign. They could even be scarring from a bad cold, flu, etc. that you were never aware of.
But since bc, we are very concerned on each mark, we must be diligent in checking on everything.

Wishing you all the best.
Hugs,
Jean

11-15-2007, 01:05 PM

Hi. Jean is correct. I had CT scans in 2001, long before BC, and had three nodules. I subsequently had follow-up scans (two as I remember) with no increase in size. Radiologist told me these are very common, and to quote him, about 40% of people my age would probably have nodules if they also had scans. He blamed various types of infection.

If I had never had these prior scans and then had one after BC I would have been terrified. But I had them years before and had the X-rays for comparison. In that respect I was lucky. Perhaps you've had these nodules for many years. But of course you do want to follow up, just to be sure.

Linda · 11-15-2007, 01:15 PM

Donna:
Just to clarify, and hopefully lift some of the worry -- you can have benign nodules that have always been there (or since you had some kind of infection years ago) and/or new benign nodules (don't you have that word! I suppose it just means a round scar...) that are a result of radiation treatment.
L

DonnaD · 11-15-2007, 01:33 PM

Grace, Linda and Jean,
Thanks for your knowledge and kind words. I should clarify one detail. I had a clear CT in Feb. So the nodules are since Feb.

I am handling things much better today and feel it is from the radiation especially where they are located. I will go in for another scan for comparison.

Linda I have a copy of the CT scan and like your idea of getting the best to read it, not whoever is on call. My radiation onc and team did review the scan.

Thank you one and all!
Donna