changing spots on the lungs

[Molly1229]

I am a healthy 41 yr white female, smoked from 16-26 yrs old ending at 1.5 pk day.  Had a CT on 5/8/06 for gallbladder.  Ct states lung bases appear clear.  on 11/16/07 had another CT scan that states vague nonspecific nodularity measuring appx 4mm. and follow up recommended in 6 mo.  Had a third CT on 05/05/08 that states bilateral small modular densities seen.  one seen in Nov. identified.  Its in rt lower lobe measuring 5mm.  similar but smaler nodular densities seen in right apical region andin left lower lobe and there is some pleural change posteriorly on left which probably was present on the prior study.  no adenopathy, no effusion.  I have seen a pulminary doctor and she wants me to have another scan in 6 months.  Please tell me what this all means.  Also, Family History:  My father had lung cancer. and I also have three cyctic masses in  my liver largest measuring 5.3 cm x 4.9cm.

[Molly1229]

Thank you for your reply.  I have been having pain in my right side and some in my back for a while, I usually have it every day. (hence the removal of my diseased gallbladder)  although the pain has not changed.  Thats what started all of this.  The liver cysts are said to be full of fluid and harmless. (still a little un-nearving) The lung dr.also said I have a little weazing in my lungs too.  

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

What do you feel? Are you having any problems with breathing? Pain? Cough? Are you losing weight?
The body has only a limited way of fighting diseases (assuming this is really a disease) that those that may be innocuous may share some features with those that are virulent.
IF your doctor is comfortable with obtaining another imaging study in 6 months, then there must be no alarming features to warrant a different approach. Make sure that the rest of the findings are known to your doctor, one doctor may be making a decision only on what is seen in the lung and does not consider the liver findings.
Some things would take time, if the findings are stable within a year or two, then chances are all the lesions, nodularities, are all unlikely to cause trouble. Of course such a plan would raise anxiety for a good number of people, but such an approach balances the risks and benefits from a blind fishing expedition to search for what those things are.
Six months is quite a long time, living with uncertainty (though in truth, all of us do live with uncertainty), but listen to your body and update your doctor should anything new pop up. You could also keep a diary, marking places you go to, and days that you feel a bit ill - in case you may be reacting to something related to certain places you frequent, or exposures at the workplace.
Stay positive.