Looking for guidence / shared experiences when dealing with lung nodules.....
Diagnosed with Kidney cancer in July 2024, but noticed 2 'incidental' lung nodules (4mm). Had a full robotic nephrectomy in Aug. Follow up with consultant who wasn't concerned by the nodules, even though they weren't seen on a CT scan in December 2023, for unrelated issue. Histology came back with T1bM0N0 grade 3, CCRCC, with clear resection lines. Consultant confident that was 'cured' and that chance of recurrance was 15-20% in next 5 years.
Fast forward 4 months, i had a scan which revealed both nodules had grown marginally and by 2mm. Referred to Oncology and was told my metastatic nurse team leader that they are pretty confident that its now stage 4 secondary spread.
Spoke again with my consultant surgeon, who looked puzzled by this and advised that it can be difficult to measure nodules at that size and be that confident, especially as you can technically have 2 scans completed on the same day and come back with differing measurements. To note i had 3 differing radiology measurements of the scan at 3 different hospitals, adding to the anxietty!
I've read since that this can be the case (you can have 2 scans completed on the same day and come back with differing measurements - pubmed study confirmed this), but still very worried. I've also ready that a 12 month scan is likely to be more indicitive of spread and growth, as you can get 'fast growing incidental lung nodules which are benign'. The consultant felt that for it to be spread, based on a T1b diagnosis, would be rare. Again, i've read the chances sit between 5% and 14%.
Nodules are solid, round and located mid and lower lung and are bilateral. A third nodule, originally seen at 2mm has disappeared or may be stable as was not showing on latest scan in November.
Next scan is first week in March, praying that they have stabilised or shrunk.
Thanks for reading.
