Possibly secondary lung cancer - what happens next?

HI Smithde sorry to hear about your mum and that a nodule has been picked up on a recent scan. It is hard to say what the next steps will be, it really does depend on what they think this nodule is. Many people have nodules on lungs, that turn out to be nothing to worry about. But with mums history it is only right that they will do further investigations. This might be that they will do what is called watch and wait, where they will re scan in a few months to see if there is any change. Or they might feel that they need to do a biopsy to see what the nodule actually is. The fact that they are calling it a nodule makes it sound that whatever it is, it is very small and hopefully something that is easily sorted. 

Let us know how she gets on. 

Hi chellesimo thank you so much for replying. That's really helpful - my mum hasn't been given any information or anyone to call so is feeling a bit anxious. We're all keeping everything crossed that it isn't cancerous.

Thank you

Hi Smithde

i had exactly the same two nodules picked up no symptoms. Lone story short I had a choice. Watch and wait, sabre or operation 

I decided to operate and had it removed with clear margins no further treatment at this time just scans it was a primary so it wasn’t from the bowel however if I hadn’t had bowel cancer I would not of known it was there.

So I feel fortunate that it was dealt with early 

If you click on my name you can read my back story if you’d like the king version 

I hope that this helps 

best wishes 

sending you a hug. 

Hi Artsie , 

Thank you so much for your message, and sorry to hear about your experience, but glad to hear it was removed successfully. It does sound very similar to my mum's - her bowel cancer was picked up during a routine screening as well. How did the medical team know the lung nodules were primaries and not secondary cancer?

Wishing you all the best

Well that’s a good question 

First thing I knew about it was a letter from my bowel consultant saying that I had two modules that needed to be checked. One month later I another CT which took no time as I didn’t have contrast like with the bowel   My bowel consultant then wrote to say that he wanted to refer me it was very common and he wasn’t concerned but wanted to air on the side of caution 

BTW my consultant has a caring sensitive manner 

November I saw a doctor and had lung function test things that seemed concerning they were talking cancer! 

As two of the nodules were small those he wanted to concentrate on both on the right. Though I have lots on both lungs 

He gave me the three options but then said it’s Pet Scan first to check it was localised 

Once pet scan came back they were convinced it was another primary my bloods were good so off for my op I went. That was March I flew to Spain end of July. 

Im keeping my fingers crossed for you and your mother.

They’ll work out the very best treatment for her if she needs most are nothing to worry about just scaring  I had Covid so thought that’s what mine was but the results were lung cancer  As I smoked twenty years ago it’s my fault really  just very lucky our NHS picked up my bowel with their screening programs and my lung through monitoring 

best wishes 

Hi Artsie,thank you so much for replying and I hope you scans remain clear. My mum has had a PET scan now, so it might not be too long until we know more. 

All the best 

So my mum has finally been given a clinic appointment with the colorectal surgeon next week. That will be 3 weeks after the PET scan, and almost 2 months after her initial CT scan.

Is it normal to have to wait this long? Is it just the way the NHS is now?

Just to clarify, she hasn't had the results of the PET scan yet. The waiting is horrendous.

Hi there. The early stage I found the worst. It drags on and is very stressful 

My scan was September call back another November. Appointment with respiratory December pet scan February operation March 

So I was six months in total but mine were small so they didn’t rush. 

I phoned my LC nurse and she gave me the results of my PET scan. I wanted to know. I’ve done that each time because like you say the waiting is horrendous 

I was told that the PET showed what they thought and that I’d have the operation when they could fit me in. It made me feel reassured. I was still frightened but I knew the treatment plan

You could ask you mum to phone if she wants the results over the phone. Some don’t want that 

Take. Care 

 Artsie thanks so much for replying again. Sounds like yours dragged out a lot as well then. I think my mum already asked for the results over the phone and they said they couldn't give them out - I suppose it might be better to wait to speak to the surgeon anyway. Thanks again.