Metastasis ?

Dear Bibbia

Thanks for getting in touch.

I hope you are finding the online community a supportive space to connect with others affected by cancer.

My name is Eileen, and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists working on the Macmillan support line. 

I’m sorry to hear about the health issues you are experiencing and can appreciate this must be very worrying for you. Uncertainty whilst waiting for your treatment team to advise you of next steps is difficult to cope with and can negatively impact your emotions. The important thing to know is that there is support available to help you cope.

Lung nodules are common and can often be a coincidental finding when people are having investigations and diagnostic scans. They can be due to scarring of the lung, an infection, or a normal lymph node but they can sometimes be the early indicators of a primary lung cancer or signs of a cancer that has spread from elsewhere in the body.

When nodules have been found the MDT will discuss the findings. In some instances, they may recommend further scans in a few months to monitor for any changes such as an increase in size of the nodule. Non-cancerous nodules would not usually grow and might reduce in size over time.

Alternatively, your treatment team may request different imaging techniques or a biopsy to take a sample of cells from the nodule to determine whether it is benign or cancerous.

If the nodules were an early sign of secondary cancer your team will discuss treatment options with you. When colorectal cancer has spread to another area of the body such as the lungs you are usually given drug treatment. As this is absorbed into the bloodstream it can reach cancer cells wherever they might be located. Other treatments such as surgery or ablative techniques may also be an option and can sometimes be used in combination with drug treatment.

I hope knowing that there are various treatment options available will provide some reassurance for you but please know that you can call one of our nurses to discuss things further.

Take care and best wishes,

(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: JF

Thank you so much for your reply and obvious compassion. Things have actually moved forward slightly in that it was confirmed that the nodule(s) are on my left lung.  I have already been given an appointment to see a chest consultant on Monday. ( does the speed of my appointment reflect the urgency of my situation? I hope not ,but I’m grateful for the fast reaction!)

is there a reasonable chance that if, as I suspect, the nodule((s) are metastasis then I may get surgery, chemo and ultimately a good result?

Thanks so much for your help so far, I feel much better having read your post, Daniel 

Hello Daniel, 

Thanks for getting back in touch with us. I am pleased to read that you found the information from Eileen helpful.

My name is Linda, and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists working on the Macmillan support line. 

It’s good to read that you have an appointment with a chest consultant. It’s reasonable to think that they will be able to be offer treatment for the nodule(s) in your left lung.

As Eileen mentioned sometimes it is recommended to have scans to monitor the nodules or they may recommend further tests and/or a biopsy. 

Treatment decisions are made based on your general health, cancer history, and previous treatments.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to be more specific but the chest consultant will talk you through the next steps.

I hope this helps.

Take care and best wishes,

 Linda J.

(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: LJ/DW

Thank you so much for your reply, it helps so much to have your knowledge ,compassion and support.

i did see the consultant on Monday and as you predicted he has initialised both a PET scan and a ct led biopsy,  so its massive fingers crossed and wait for appointments and things to unravel.

Thanks again, I’m sure that I shall speak again with you soon. -   Daniel