Indeterminate lung nodule query

Hi MrFox

I can't answer your question, but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet, so thought that this might be a good question to post in the ask a nurse section of the community and one of the specialist nurses will aim to reply within 2 working days.

x

I had a somewhat similar experience.

In December 2019 I was diagnosed with lymphoma.  A PET scan in January this year showed that in addition to masses in my head and neck, there was also a mass in my left lung.  My team were not concerned about the lung mass at the time and I went on to have successful chemotherapy for the lymphoma.

A post-treatment PET in August showed that while all of the head and neck activity had gone, the lung mass remained so I was referred to a pulmonary team for follow up of that.  A biopsy showed that mass to be primary lung cancer, for which I started SBRT a few weeks later.

It sounds like they're unsure about the nature of your lung nodule and want to investigate it further.  Lung nodules are relatively common and can mean nothing, but they need to investigate it further to see whether it's something which can be safely left alone.  Investigating it now allows it to be dealt with as early as possible if treatment is needed (my lung cancer was discovered at an early stage and a low grade solely because of the lymphoma-related imaging I had done).

All any of us want to do after cancer treatment is have a fear-free break for a while and breathe a bit.  The follow up appointments seem to come around to quickly as it is without something else being thrown into the mix.

Hopefully the CT will show that there's no cause for concern and no necessity for further investigation.

Hi Lolie, thanks for replying, I hope your SBRT treatment is successful and that you finally get the fear-free break that you mention.

Really appreciate you giving some clarity on my current situation.

Thank you.  The first follow up CT showed a reduction in the size of the mass but SBRT works its magic over many months, so it will be next year and a couple more CTs before a trend can be seen,

Hi MrFox, 

I don't have a specific answer for you however, I have my recent experience that may help you. I had a tumour found in my right lung, along with a partial collapse and had various CT Scans and PET scans. I had a few years ago been to an ultrasound for the lump in my neck and it turned out to be an enlarged nodule, I was told this was nothing to be concerned about however my specialist wanted to check my whole body just to make sure, basically giving me a full MOT. This could also be the case for you as they want to be thorough.

Hi Mr Fox I also have intermediate  2mm nodule in my left upper lobe and an intermediate 2 mm nodule in my right lower lobe, also was diagnosed with tumour left lung, after doing much research, these need watching but are usually, inert and not cancerous these can have been caused by a chest problem from the past, I also had FDG activity showing in my mid desending Colon, had a colonoscopy to remove that polip it was not cancerous as my other 6 polips I have had taken. out in two other colonoscopy every three years, they show up on a PET Scan because of slightly raised FDG level of activity, this does not mean they are cancerous though, only a biopsy can diagnose that, but if they do not grow, larger, they do not appear to be a problem, polips in the colon can be removed easily, mainly for safety as they may turn cancerous, in most cases on biopsy they are not, in the lungs, nodules are not easy to remove, so it is better just to wait and see if there is any growth, as you are being observed, any growth will be caught.

I hope this settles your mind a bit as I was worried, before doing some research.

All the Best..

 Mr Fox, after reading your letter again realised now you have not had a PET Scan, but a CT  scan, this does not change anything, just they have diagnosed you from a CT scan, so FDG activity does not come into it, as FDG activity can only be observed from a PET scan, still the same conclusion though, sorry about that.