new opacity after lung cancer surgery

[wjmichael125]

I had a lobectomy of my left upper lobe in June,2006.  I just went to the surgeon after having a follow up ct scan and he said he sees a small opacity in the right lower lung. Not sure what it is since it's so small. Wants me to have another ct scan in 3 months. How much can it grow in 3 months. Her said it could be cancer or it could not be. I'm scared and have to worry for 3 more months. Could this be a recurrance?

[National Jewish]

The advice to repeat the CT scan in 3 months is good advice.  Most lung cancers are very slow growing, so the risk of waiting 3 months is very slight.  You might ask your doctor if the cell type of the lung cancer that was removed with your left upper lobe was one of these.

Recurrence of a lung cancer in the right lower lobe from the left lung would be unusual.  Lung cancers originate in the lung.  Some lung cancers can arise in multiple locations in which case this opacity would not be an extension from your left lung, but another primary lung cancer.  Are you and your doctors sure that this opacity in the right lung was not present prior to the surgery; maybe even present in years past?  Knowing that would be most helpful.


You might also request medication to allay your anxiety.

Good luck.

[Jabber]

My father had lung cancer.  He fought it although I must imagine he was scared.  I am scared everyday that I am going to get lung cancer.  I am at high risk since I am an ex-smoker.  I was driving myself crazy to the point that I had to go for an x-ray in order for my doctor to prove to me that I did not have it.  I still am so afraid everyday, I can't even tell you.  It has been 9 years since I did the check up thing and those fears are creeping back up in my mind.  I can't bring myself to go for the examination.  I don't want to know.  I feel healthy and I don't want to go looking.  I know this is bad but I can't overcome this fear that I live with everyday yet I know if I went for the test, I could perhaps be truly happy and live my life.

I guess what I am saying is knowlege is power and at least you are following thorugh on staying on top of it.  My doctor said to me that finding out in the very early stages is the best way of being treated with Success.  Try not to worry.  If you worry and think about it for the 3 months, you will go crazy and it will do nothing for you.  You could always go for a second opinion to see if you can get an answer before 3 months.  I really felt for ou when I read your e-mail because a day does not go by that I don't think about lung cancer. Find a suport group and keep your friends close as well as family and tell them you are afraid and they can help you through this.  Never give up, it is ok to be scared and in the end, things will be ok and if it is not ok, then it is not the end yet.  Take care.

[wjmichael125]

Thank you for answering. I'm trying to have a positive attitude and to not worry. Maybe with the holidays coming I can keep myself busy. Atleast if they find something I know they caught it early.

[Jabber]

Yes, if they find somehing it will be vey early and they can help you.  These CT scans are good but I just saw a show where a doctor was talking about how they also pick up things that are not problems and cause people a lot of fear for nothing. Keep busy and try not to let this overshadow your holidays although I know it will be hard. Don't wait if it is to hard. Go get a second opinion and perhaps you can find your answer before the holidays and I am sure it will be ok.  These doctors don't think about what it can do to have to wait for results on tests.  I am not a patient person when it comes to waiting for medical results. While you are alive it is never to late to fight. I will pray for you.