Nodule Appears After Pneumonia

[caithness]

This past December I got a bad cold which eventually turned into pneumonia by the middle of the month.  I had fever, body aches, and extreme coughing spasms for more than two weeks.  I coughed up every color in the rainbow and at times so hard that my lungs hurt.  After 3 rounds of antibiotic, I started to feel better.  I had chest X-rays done before, during and after the pneumonia.  Unfortunately, the final follow-up film showed a place in the bottom right section of my lung that would not clear up.  A CT Scan was ordered and what was thought to be a mass was discovered.  More antibiotic and a needle biopsy were then scheduled. Another CT Scan was done just before the needle biopsy and, based on that, I was told that it had shrunk and that there appeared to be no need for the biopsy.  A month later after another CT Scan I was told that the mass/nodule had not changed – no bigger or smaller – and that the biopsy was back on.  The result of the biopsy was no cancer cells present.  However, they did find some atypical cells.  I was sent to a pulmonologist who said that the atypical cells along with the shape of the nodule (partly smooth and round with some little rounded nobs on one side) made him feel that the FNA was inconclusive.  He ordered a bronchoscopy which also came back without any cancer cells.  However, he also said he didn’t feel he was able to really get to the nodule as it was so far down in the right lobe.  I am now scheduled to meet with a thoractic surgeon to discuss yet another biopsy via microsurgery (VATS?).  

I am a 51 year old female with a history of ovarian cancer (early detection, Stage 1, Type 2 tumor, no lymph nodes involved, surgery November 2001).  I have not had a hint of recurrence in the 4.5 years since my surgery and chemo treatments and my CA 125 tests and bi-yearly exams have been excellent.  My question is, does this seem related to the pneumonia in any way to you?  The earlier Xrays done just before the pneumonia developed showed nothing where the nodule now is – it only showed up during the follow-up X-rays after the pneumonia and coughing fits had progressed.  This has been going on for over two months and I am pretty close to going insane with worry at this point.  Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[National Jewish]

Given your history of cancer, the association of a mass with pneumonia and your understandable anxiety, your best choice is to proceed with the video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).  You and your doctors do need to know what is going on.  Good luck.

[caithness]

I forgot to mention - I am a non-smoker.

[Narda99]

I have some nodules in my lungs which appeared after a bad bout with pneumonia in January.  My pulmonologist is doing CT scans every three months to keep a tight check on them.  There has been no change so far.  She says they are quite common after pneumonia, and are too small to biopsy.  They will be watched for two years, and if no change, then yearly after that.  Hope this is of some help to you.  I understand how worried you are as I have felt the same way.  I, too, am a non-smoker, with a history of breast cancer nearly 10 years ago.

[caithness]

Thank you very much for your comment Narda and may you continue to have good reports.

I saw the surgeon today and have decided to have this thing removed through VATs surgery. The other option was to wait and watch it - which, in a sense, made me feel a bit better that he would consider that since it at least implied that he wasn't thinking of it as an emergency at this point. I will go in this coming Tuesday (May 16th) with 5-6 days in the hospital and about about 2 weeks recovery at home. One thing I do know is that God has his hand on this - it's the only possible explanation for how I'm getting through it.

[caithness]

I proceeded with the surgery on May 16th.  It was discovered that the mass was actually a pocket of infection with an abcess (abscess) in the center.  It was removed - along with the bottom right lobe of my lung. I was told that it was caused by the pneumonia I had last December - just as I had suspected. I was sorry that it had to come to the removal of the lobe but I am assured that I am doing well and should not expect any complications.  I am still very sore but relieved and thankful!  Thanks to all who responded.