Is an "air filled cyst" of concern?

[shaerich]

I had a CT scan last week b/c of some swollen lymphnodes in my axilla and I have a history of melanoma.  The swollen nodes were in the left axilla and my melanoma was on my right arm.  I was referred to a surgeon for bx. and he sent me for a CT scan of my pelvic, abdominal and chest area.  He said it was all normal... my nodes were on the upper limits of normal, but as long as they didn't change (keep a watch on them), no worries.  He also noted that I have an "air filled cyst" in my right lung.  He said it was just a mal-formation of my lung and not to be concerned... if it was cancer it would have shown up white on the CT scan instead of black.  My question is... what are the potential issues of a lung cyst?  Should I be concerned at all?  I had a chest Xray last year and nothing was mentioned of this, so would it not have shown up on the Xray?  If it just formed since the Xray then his explanation of my lung malforming doesn't make sense.  I'm just trying to understand what this is and what I should expect of it since he says I'm clear and good to go.

Thanks!

[shaerich]

Thanks so much!  I appreciate your input! :)

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

The melanoma seems to have been captured early enough (hopefully you are cured), so I think the most you could do is to watch out for another one. You also do not seem to have any specific disease that may account for the cyst (the asthma is not likely going to produce one).
There is no clear rationale why a follow-up scan would make any difference. At this point you could discuss about what possible symptoms you could develop based on the location of the cyst, so you would at least be aware. The size of the cyst may also make it prone to rupture -  though technically speaking, a large cyst would be called a bleb and so the odds of the cyst in your lung rupturing is likely remote.
Stay positive.

[shaerich]

Also... meant to say that I'm 35, female, and melanoma was excised in August 2005, so I'm 3 years out.

[shaerich]

My melanoma was .47mm, Clarke's level II, no ulceration, low mitotic rate and excised with clean margins.  I get check ups every 3 months.

As far as my lungs go... I do have asthma and am not a smoker but did grow up in a smoking home for 20 years.

Do I need to have any other follow up on the lung cyst?

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

The history of prior melanoma is indeed important. It would be more crucial if you know how high your risk is for developing metastatic disease. This would be based on characteristics such as depth of invasion and the presence of ulcers.
In general, involvement of melanoma on an arm would mean involving lymph nodes near the axilla first before involving the lung. The description of the lung cyst also doesn’t sound like metastasis. Offhand, there doesn’t seem to be any clear reason to worry much. If you have any lung disease or if you smoke, this may account for the presence of the cyst more than the prior melanoma.
Stay positive.