Lung Nodule Incidental Finding
UPDATE - most likely benign - see below for details and cautions of how one scan leads to another…to another…to…
Had a cardiac CT due to elevated LDL cholesterol. All clear so no statin - 0 calcium score. BUT a pulmonary nodule, partly solid, "measuring up to 9 mm" was found on the lower lobe of my right lung. No abnormalities on chest wall.
I am 12 years out from initial diagnosis of t1a E+ and extensive DCIS. Did all recommended treatments, stats should be below.
Recent blood tests, mam, exams, all good.
CT was last Monday, PCP called on Wednesday, ordered PET. I emailed my onc who dismissed me 7 years ago, and she expedited the PET so it was yesterday. Pulmonologist appointment on Tuesday.
It's now Sunday, so not expecting results until tomorrow.
Medical friends are pretty sure the nodule is benign, perhaps from a bout of COVID or the several bronchial infections I've had over the years. I just turned 61 - was diagnosed w/BC at 49. Never a smoker (but did bum the occasional cigarette off a friend in bars over 30 years ago :-)
Incidental findings can be a blessing or a curse. Looking for others' experiences with incidental lung nodules, in particular.
I read that the risk of a 9mm lung module being cancerous is less than 10%. Of course, I am concerned it could be a lung met but seems less likely (but not impossible) as my recurrence risk on several calculations (and as reported to me by my onc) is less than 2%.
Trying not to freak out too much!
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I had an 8 mm lung nodule found on my initial staging CT scan. I had a follow-up scan 10 months later and it was unchanged, so it is presumed benign. I never had a PET scan.
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Thank you @maggiehopley @cookie54
Hope to get results today and will report back!
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@rosamond I hope it's benign. I have a 9mm nodule that's been stable for almost two years.
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Update - the nodule size estimated on PET to be closer to 1 cm, flat appearance, MINIMAL uptake and in a location most likely to be an intrapulmonary lymph node. My BC team feels it is most likely that or something else benign.
But scans always seem to lead to more scans! Some diffuse uptake showed in my vaginal area which they presumed was urine contamination. I did drink a ton of water prior and had to pee twice before procedure and again right afterwards. The report recommended a clinical followup so that is what happened yesterday despite just seeing an OB/GYN 6 weeks ago with normal screening test results. I have now been visually and manually inspected again. The gynecologist said my vagina has an A+. 🤣
A 1.4 cm thyroid nodule was found so off to an u/s for that. 🙄
Pulmonologist scheduled 3 months CT followup for lung nodule. She also ordered a urine test for lung fungus and a blood test to check for lung cancer. Those results are expected to be negative but of course I will exhale completely when the results are returned in a week or so.
I have now decided to forgo scans unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. My LDL numbers were high, but nothing else indicated a need for a cardiac scan. My score was a perfect 0 for arterial calcium blockage.
And the incidental lung nodule has resulted in a cascade of followups, more scans, appointments, tests, anxieties, worry, and medical PTSD.
In fact, I spent the 12th anniversary of my initial diagnosis at the pulmonologist.
I literally have had more appointments this week and in the future from this one incidental finding than I had during my initial cancer diagnosis journey.
I am grateful for my docs - my oncologist, who dismissed me 7 years ago, expedited my PET scan. My breast surgeon was able to preview the PET report and interpret it as being "NOT very worrisome" and "good news." All my docs and the radiologists who have read my scans are doing their due diligence and leaving no stone unturned.
And, if by some chance, the lung nodule turns out to be a very small primary lung cancer, well, good, it's been found and can be removed with very good projected survival rates when this small.
But I can't help but think that this all could have been avoided by my turning down a less-than-necessary scan!
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Well, in addition to my incidental lung nodule, I also had an incidental thyroid nodule turn up. Mine was 3.5 cm and although it was ultimately proven to be benign I ended up having to have half my thyroid removed 4 months after my mastectomy. I continue to have an annual thyroid U/S due to a second nodule on the other half. The PTSD is real.
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I have been through the same stress, that continues to this day, regarding lung nodule(s). Has been five years since diagnosed with breast cancer. After the nodules being brought up, by my oncologist, I mentioned them to my surgeon. She replied… I wouldn't be too worried about that. They are not uncommon particularly in those having history of bronchitis and such. Oncologist sent me to have checked out by another doctor - a good ways from me. Long story short… seems an awful lot are found when scanning for reasons unrelated. Also adds a whole lot of stress… when we're already dealing with quite a lot.
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