A related discussion,
nodules in lung was started.
hi- i was just diagnosed with multiple calcified granulomas and a couple undetermined nodules-i am 42-i have shortness of breath and chest pain- and severe fatigue -i have been told granulomas dont grow and i will re-ct scan in 3 months to see if there is growth-i am going to a pulmonologist soon-i am not happy with being told that its just scar tissue like it is no big deal when i am symptomatic and it is a big deal to me-anyone care to comment? thanks
I was told PET scans are 90-95% accurate in diagnosing lung cancer. However if the cancer is very slow growing, like BAC or a carcinoid, it might not light up.
I recall my doctor said a lung needle biopsy has a 60% chance of diagnosing cancer, if that is what it is. However this test could be nondiagnostic. It also has a 30% chance of causing a pneumothorax.
If the node is cancer I think the preferred treatment would usually be surgery [resection]. Radiation and chemo are reserved for cases where surgery is not an option.
Sometimes watchful waiting with periodic CT scans every few months is the way to go, if the diagnosis is in doubt and the proposed treatment is drastic. Also a 2nd opinion may be advisable in questionable cases, perferably from a high rated teaching hospital.
Hi!
Thank you for your comments. In response To the answers I was told by the pulmonologist.
!. That granulomas do not grow.
2. That a nodule under 1cm which this is slightly under, at 9.0mm
sometimes do not light up. The information on PET scans that
I have is from the pulmonologist and oncologist. I have not
spoken with a radiologist as of yet.
3. I was told benign nodules do not grow like this by the
pulmonologist and based on my medical background I could not
understand this because I have always known just the opposite
but respected her position thinking she definitely knew far
more about the lung then I do since this is not my medical
area.
4. As regards to the needle biopsy, pulmonologist and oncologist
are already leaning towards this being malignant because they
have already discussed options of radiation or chemo or a
combination. As well as their opinion of what they think her
lungs would tolerate.
Thank you again!
Sorry, when I read your post again I realized you do have asthma and an infection. Has this infection been resolved for 8 months or are you still troubled by it?
Have they done blood work? If not I would request it. I assume your oncologist does a regular work up in that respect.
A granuloma or nodule, I believe these are basically the same thing, can be a result of infection.
Cindy
The needle biopsy sounds like a good idea, you need to find out the cause of the granulomas, and any other damage that may be there and not show up on CT. The PET scan not lighting up the area is expected. A CT scan seems to be the best tool to date to give the most accurate and detailed picture of lung disease. It is considered to give the best imaging in lung disease over both an MRI and PET scan.
I don't know about the significance of the size of the granuloma or nodule. Benign tumors can grow sometimes to huge proportions. You may want to look up other info on granulamatous lung disease on the web. I know of Wegener's granulomatosis, and chronic granulamatosis disease, but there are many others that can produce granulomas. What are your other symptoms? Any sinus, infection, asthma, chest pain, cough, etc.?
Cindy
1. This could be a granuloma that has grown.
2. You should ask the pulmonologist and the radiologist who interpreted the PET scan your question about