Hi all.. hoping for some advice please.
My dad has suffered with a bad shoulder for months, he eventually got referred for an xray in October which incidently found a 'nodule' in his lung. GP asked him to have another xray in 4 weeks time which he did and this also showed the nodule. GP referred him for a CT scan and he received a call 5 days later asking him to go to an appointment in respiratory a couple of days later. This appointment then got cancelled the day before and rebooked for 2 weeks later. He attended the appontment on Tuesday this week and wasn't really told anything other than there was a 1.1cm nodule in his lung and that he was being referred for an urgent PET scan which should be in the next 2 weeks.
Is a PET scan used to diagnose cancer? Would they send him for one if they weren't concerned? He has no symptoms at all, as i said it was his bad shoulder that prompted the xray. He spoke to his GP yesterday re his shoulder who said 'your bad shoulder may have potentially saved your life'.
I am just trying to process things and not get too carried away and thinking the worst but some insight as what to expect would be helpful.
Thank you
Hi SDE
Welcome to our community, I hope you find it both informative and supportive.
I think perhaps the best way of answering your questions might be to refer to our pages on PET scans where I would perhaps highlight the section "whether a lump is cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign)"
Of course if it turned out to be cancerous then he is already on the best path going forward and that I am sure is behind the remark from the GP.
You might like to look at our Family and friends forum where there are people with a loved one at all stages of a cancer journey.
<<hugs>>
Steve
