Lung Nodule

[BAZEBALLMOM]

I had a CT of my abdomen and it showed an accidental finding of a 10mm non calcified nodule in my left lung.  I had a CT of the chest and it showed the same nodule.  Now the Dr. has ordered a PET scan for tomorrow (the first ct was 3 wks ago)--I am a non smoker and have never lived with a smoker, should lung cancer be a concern for me???

[lise700]

HI,
In 2001 I was diagnosed with  breast cancer and kidney failure.. I had a lumptectomy and went on dialyses for 5 years.. after I had a kidney transplant, ( the donor was my husband) I was feeling quite well and decided that I should return to work. (I'm a teacher.) I did but I had 3 chest infections from September to January.. I had to stop as I was coughing a lot, but a dry cough, no fever no chills, no mucus no blood. As the weather began to get nicer, my cough subsided quite a bit, but still found that I have trouble breathing if walking up the stairs or walking long distance. I had a ct scan in November 2008.. they said I had fibroses and a small lump in left lung, situated behind the breast, on the same side I had  cancer 8 years ago..and , I re-did a ct scan 6 months later..May13, 2009 the fivrose appear to be scar tissues.. . and the nodule has grown to 3cm.. I don't have any of the symptoms of cancer, like loss of appetite, lost of weight, my coughing is consederably better then this winter.. I will be getting an biopsy due the growth soon, 3 weeks ago, I developed a pain at the bottom of left bottom cheek and unless I am on tylenol, it is really painful... ok my questions... could it be anything other then cancer in my lung, my family has a history of lung cancer, and I quit smoking  in 2001. could the pain in my butt be related to the nodule in my lung? could the kidney be affected? please tell me it's probably nothing more then a cyst.. I'm 54 years old and already went through the grind.. I'm a postive person, but still quite frightened at the prospect of having to go though it all again! I appreciate any responses ..
thank you:-)

[BAZEBALLMOM]

I appreciate your post, it did help put my mind at ease a little, and you were right, the nodule appears not to be cancer and my doctor does want to do follow up scan in March or April just to make sure nothing changes.

Thanks
Bazeball mom

[BAZEBALLMOM]

Thanks for your comments and well wishes.  My doctor's office called me Friday afternoon and said that the PET scan showed the nodule to be benign, however, he does want to a follow up scan in March or April.

Thanks again for your support,
Bazeball mom

[Frances1225]

I recently had a chest xray as part of PreAdmission Testing. They found a 11mm nodule on my left lung. A CT with contrast followed. I was given the choice of a PET/CT every three months or a CT Guided Lung Biopsy. I choose the Biopsy to get definitive results and so glad I did. The Lung Biopsy was performed by an Interventional Radiologist as a day surgery through the SPU.  Lucky for me, the nodule was a benign Hamartoma. My follow up will be a CT next year. Ask your doctor/pulmonologist to order the biopsy. It will put your mind at ease. If it is cancer, then you have a much better chance of a cure in the early stages. Good luck!

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

Even non-smokers have a risk for lung cancer albeit lower over all. Chances are the finding is not malignant. While the PET scan may be helpful, in the absence of any risk factors for lung cancer, it would also be reasonable to simply do surveillance images after 6 months or so. Stay positive.