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Shadow on the lung

FormerMember
FormerMember
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My brother  has had treatment for colon cancer all going well with treatment etc. he has regular scans Ct and mri as well as colposcopy’s (camera test) all clear for two years.

Th latest ct scan has shown a small shadow on his lung but the medical team aren’t worried saying they will scan again in 3 months not like the waiting for the regular 6 months. 
My head is spinning…. If there is something why are they waiting? What makes them not worried? What could the shadow be?

any advice would be helpful

thank you

  • Hi Kt,

    Thank you for getting in touch with Macmillan Cancer Support and welcome to our online community. My name is Anne and I’m one of the Nurses from the Support Line. I’m glad to hear your brother has been doing well following his treatment. However, I understand you are concerned about his latest CT scan. Lung nodules (sometimes referred to as small shadows) are very common and do not cause any problems. It is important for his team to monitor them for any signs of change or growth and this would normally be done again in 3 months. During this period, if he is concerned about any new symptoms, he should contact his Clinical Nurse Specialist or Consultant.

    It might be worth suggesting to your brother that he gets in touch with his Nurse Specialist to discuss the scan results again. They should be able to offer further reassurance and explain why they are not overly concerned. Follow-up care after treatment is an important part in your brother’s recovery and allows him to have the opportunity to voice any concerns he may have.

    Worrying about cancer returning is very common. Many people struggle to cope with feelings of uncertainty, but this often gets better with time.

    I hope this information helps you, Kt. Please don’t hesitate to pick up the phone for a chat if you feel this may be helpful too.

    Take care for now,

    Anne - Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

    Ref/AW

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