Lung Nodule

[mare3505]

I finally went for my pet scan which showed intense activity in the nodule.  Went to pulmonologist who recommends I have it removed.  He said it is so small, and if I didn't go for a breat MRI first, it would have never been picked up.  He thinks I could a a wedge resection and that would be it.  Pulmonologist says if he didn't know any better, he would say someone was watching over me.  I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

[oldmama]

Thank you for the come back.  I am still waiting for my appointment on the 29th.  I am one week into the Chantix.  I have cut my smoking in half and am gearing up for the quitting all together.  I can do this!

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  There are three ways to get samples from the lung mass.  The first is CT guided aspiration biopsy.  A long needle is inserted through the skin and lung tissue and into the mass.  CT scan is used to guide the needle to the location of the mass.  The second method is bronchoscopy-aided biopsy.  The bronchoscope is a flexible tube with ports where a scope and biopsy forceps can pass through.  This method is used when the tumor to be biopsied is found inside the airways or very near it.  The third method is excision biopsy.  This is the most invasive procedure. The chest wall is either opened by surgery (thoracotomy) or a scope is inserted through the chest wall to get to the mass (meidiastinoscopy).  The aim is to get as much of the tumor sample as possible. This third method is usually done for staging purposes - to look for any lymph node spread which was missed out by the CT.

As for the cost, it depends on the country and institution that's doing the procedure.

[oldmama]

Who can tell me how they go about doing a biopsy and how expensive is it?  How do they get in there to get it??? Please

[DrBhumikaMD]

Hi,
That is the usual plan of management in such cases. Relax, hopefully the nodule will be non malignant. But as it would be assessible to your surgeon, it would be best to get it removed if your doctor asks for your opinion. Rest you need to discuss with him about what would be best in your case, Goodluck.

[mare3505]

Yes, I guess I missed that part.  He will do a biopsy, and while I'm under, test it for malignancy.  I still have my fingers crossed.  Thank you for your answer.  

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  It might be better to have that nodule biopsied first before jumping right away into a wedge resection.  Wedge resection is not without its share of complications.  It wouldn't hurt to make sure (by means of a biopsy), that the nodule is actually malignant before resorting to a more invasive procedure.