Lung nodules

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I currently have stage 3 colon cancer and nodules on my lungs ‘at least 5, largest 8mm) the colorectal surgeon tells me today that the lung consultant is ‘concerned’ and I have PET scan and bronchoscope awaiting’. Will the nodules definitely be malignant and move me to stage 4 or is there still hope? Thank you 

  • Hi  

    The lungs quite often have benign nodules but if they keep on growing they do investigate. My mum had three but only one was actually cancer . They removed it via keyhole back in 2016 and had no further issues for six years . 
    She actually had lung nodules showing since 2014 . So even if the staging changes it does not necessarily mean a poor outcome .   used radio frequency ablation quite a few years ago to deal with two lung nodules and continues to do well .

    But at this stage the unknowns are hard to process . I should say my mum died last year at 82 , she lived 15 years as a stage 4 patient . Lots of living in between some procedures. 
    One step at a time and one process at a time to get you to a better place .

    Take care,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • Hello 

    I have a solitary lung nodule on the beginning on my diagnosis, in  July 2023 , I was monitoring every 3 month with CT scan ( October 2023, January 2024 full body scan and In April 2024., thorax only and again full body scan in November 2024 As the nodule was stable they didn’t concern , and Oncology discharge me  to colorectal team on Surveillance 5 years plan  my next scan in November 2025 

    all the best and hope it’s good outcome 

    Nat 

  • thank you both. The biopsies taken at bronchoscopy showed no malignancy in the nodules but chemotherapy starting next week as a precaution before surgery on the colon.

  • Dear Irish potato, 

    I am in a similar position to you. I'm waiting for my doctor's appointment to discuss treatment options for my 3 lung nodules. They have mentioned possible ablation rather than surgery or chemotherapy. I'll find out next Friday. Seems a long wait !!

    I've read that small nodules can be completely destroyed.

    Hope your treatment is starting soon.

    Best wishes

  • Hi 

    I have my chemo after surgery 

    all the best with chemo and surgery after  and good news that no malignancy in lung nodules 

  • I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer in May with enlarged lymph nodes around my lungs. Following an ECAB I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis; hence not all enlarged lymph nodes are malignant. Best of luck 

  • Should have read Endobroncial ultrasound scan and take biopsies (EBUS) not ECAB.

  • Even though by NHS standards things have moved very quickly it feels like a long time to me especially as every investigations leads to another then another and the waiting is hard. I was stented last Friday to ease the stricture and a giant polyp taken out, needed the weekend to recover. My chemotherapy starts this Thursday, the next part of the adventure. I hope your consultation went well on Friday.

  • Dear Irish potato,

    Good luck with the chemo. I had 4

    rounds in 2021. There are lots of self help things you can do to counter any side effects !

    My consultation is this Friday so a few more days wait. 

    My CT scan was on 22nd June so all in all 8 weeks wait so far ! 

    Best wishes, Carog