Possible Lung Cancer in 23 year old Female

     I am a 23 year old Caucasian female and have been having sharp chest pain that radiates to the back for the past ten months. The pain is on and off. It started soon after my first pregnancy (which baby was born premature) at 25 weeks It began on the right side and usually lasts 1-2 weeks with about 2 full days of excruciating pain that is stabbing and, on a scale on 1-10 would be a 10. i have been to the ER several times and was mainly tested for gallbladder problems because of the initial location of the pain.
     Two weeks ago, I had another episode. I doubled over in pain and felt like I was dying. My husband rushed me to the hospital (I also found out I was pregnant again) they gave me a contrast CT and found right and left plural effusion as well as 5 non calcified nodules ranging in sizes .6cm-1.5cm. I have an appointment soon for more tests but the doctors who have seen me think it looks like either lung cancer or perhaps Wegener's granulomatosis.
     I have a few questions. Does this sound like possible lung cancer? Isn't it very rare for someone my age (non smoker) to get lung cancer? Also, if it is cancer, how limited am I because of the pregnancy? I'm very scared because we already have so many health problems and appointments going on with my premature son who just left the hospital 2 weeks ago. Has anyone had similar symptoms and NOT been diagnosed with cancer? Thanks

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

Lung cancers are indeed rare in young and in non-smokers. The size of the nodule you described also makes it appear like limited disease, in which pain would not be likely and the same can be said of the effusion. Talk about some tests that could be done such as a biopsy or an examination of the effusion in order to verify the diagnosis. Stay positive.