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Lung Nodules
I have had repeated bouts of Bronchitis and Pneumonia now for a few years. I also had a bronch about 4 years ago and the results were good. Prior CT had showed infiltrate in LLL.
I just had another CT scan and I have 2 nodules, largest 7mm, in my RT middle lobe according to CT w/ RLL infiltrate . No mediastinal lymph involvement.CXR showd R basilar atelectasis, poss retro cardiac nodule. I am waiting to see Pulmonologist however I am scared to death it is CA. My father died at 52, maternal aunt at 57 and maternal grandmother in her early 70's from Lung CA.
I was DX with Pneumonia on 12/4 and had 1g Rocephin and was on 750 mg Levaquin. I had a 2nd gram of Rocpehin about 1 week later and did a total of 15 days of Levaquin.I have had some blood streaked sputum and possibly one solid pink sputum but I was not able to investigate too well. I also have pain with deep breath and sneezing by my rt scapula.
Apparently there was also some considerable evidence of inflamation according to CT but I don't have a physical copy of report in front of me.
I am 39, will be 40 next month.
I was a heavy smoker in my teens and 20s and have been an off and on smoker for the past 12 years...maybe 50% if that. I may smoke a month and off a month or 3.
I guess if there was a question to be asked...What is the likelyhood that it is CA vs something else?
Could pneumonia leave nodules?
Please help...I want to watch my babies grow up and I am very scared.
I just had another CT scan and I have 2 nodules, largest 7mm, in my RT middle lobe according to CT w/ RLL infiltrate . No mediastinal lymph involvement.CXR showd R basilar atelectasis, poss retro cardiac nodule. I am waiting to see Pulmonologist however I am scared to death it is CA. My father died at 52, maternal aunt at 57 and maternal grandmother in her early 70's from Lung CA.
I was DX with Pneumonia on 12/4 and had 1g Rocephin and was on 750 mg Levaquin. I had a 2nd gram of Rocpehin about 1 week later and did a total of 15 days of Levaquin.I have had some blood streaked sputum and possibly one solid pink sputum but I was not able to investigate too well. I also have pain with deep breath and sneezing by my rt scapula.
Apparently there was also some considerable evidence of inflamation according to CT but I don't have a physical copy of report in front of me.
I am 39, will be 40 next month.
I was a heavy smoker in my teens and 20s and have been an off and on smoker for the past 12 years...maybe 50% if that. I may smoke a month and off a month or 3.
I guess if there was a question to be asked...What is the likelyhood that it is CA vs something else?
Could pneumonia leave nodules?
Please help...I want to watch my babies grow up and I am very scared.
I'm not a doctor. Just someone who uses this forum, as I am waiting for my biopsy to be performed January 14th. Keep your hopes up although I defintely know the waiting is wonderful. My grandchildren are my best medicine. Enjoy your kids. They make you smile. Good luck and my prayers are with you.
Hi.
I understand the anxiety of waiting for answers.
Let me start by saying that the definitive proof that it is cancer can only be through a biopsy. The imaging tools may have features to select who would warrant a biopsy, and who would warrant a period of observation. I’m saying this, because it is likely that you will be given options after the consultation with a pulmonologist. I hope you’ll be making your choices well – there are people who take a more aggressive approach and go for biopsies in order to get answers as early as possible even if the estimate of malignancy is fairly low, only to regret the decision when the biopsy returns as equivocal and a biopsy complication has arisen.
Pneumonia generally affects the lining on the smallest of the airways and does not leave nodules. Nodules can arise from infection, usually those types which carry on a more prolonged, chronic course of symptoms (which may include cough, intermittent fever, weight loss). Some of these nodules actually emerge as part of healing (and hence should not change in size). Among infectious cases would be tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. If you have risk factors for these, the doctor would likely ask for other tests pertaining to such diseases as part of work-up.
As to the question of odds it is cancer:
If we base it only upon the size description of 7 mm: Radiology reviews show it occurring anywhere from 5 to 28% of malignant cases.
The absence of mediastinal lymph nodes makes malignancy less likely.
You made no mention of other features such as calcification (and configuration of calcification). In general, calcification favors a benign tumor, though reports by radiologists also place about 40-60% of benign cases as non-calcified.
As you can see, the figures are pretty wide, which actually highlight the difficulties of using these tools to make robust recommendations. It is no wonder then, that screening for lung cancer is still controversial.
Hope this post helps. Happy holidays.
I understand the anxiety of waiting for answers.
Let me start by saying that the definitive proof that it is cancer can only be through a biopsy. The imaging tools may have features to select who would warrant a biopsy, and who would warrant a period of observation. I’m saying this, because it is likely that you will be given options after the consultation with a pulmonologist. I hope you’ll be making your choices well – there are people who take a more aggressive approach and go for biopsies in order to get answers as early as possible even if the estimate of malignancy is fairly low, only to regret the decision when the biopsy returns as equivocal and a biopsy complication has arisen.
Pneumonia generally affects the lining on the smallest of the airways and does not leave nodules. Nodules can arise from infection, usually those types which carry on a more prolonged, chronic course of symptoms (which may include cough, intermittent fever, weight loss). Some of these nodules actually emerge as part of healing (and hence should not change in size). Among infectious cases would be tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. If you have risk factors for these, the doctor would likely ask for other tests pertaining to such diseases as part of work-up.
As to the question of odds it is cancer:
If we base it only upon the size description of 7 mm: Radiology reviews show it occurring anywhere from 5 to 28% of malignant cases.
The absence of mediastinal lymph nodes makes malignancy less likely.
You made no mention of other features such as calcification (and configuration of calcification). In general, calcification favors a benign tumor, though reports by radiologists also place about 40-60% of benign cases as non-calcified.
As you can see, the figures are pretty wide, which actually highlight the difficulties of using these tools to make robust recommendations. It is no wonder then, that screening for lung cancer is still controversial.
Hope this post helps. Happy holidays.
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