Question On Lung Nodules

[OhioMomof2]

Hello I am a 30yr old who had an abdominal CT and the doctor accidently found 2 Lung Nodules in my Left lower lung. I was told that they are non-calcified and are both 6mm. My primary Doctor has me going for a full chest CT next week. I am a smoker of 15 yrs. I have a bad cough and alot of pain in my left side of my chest. I am very scared and every search I have done on Lung Nodules they keep pulling up Lung Cancer. Any information is welcome and I could use all of the support and encouragment that I can get.

Ohiomomof2

[Chinacat321]

Ok, after telling you not to look on the web, I looked around a little. Ask your doctor to do a PET scan instead of a CT, not sure if there are any insurance or financial reasons why you can't (I think PET should be cheaper anyway, much older test than a CT). If you can you should really ask for the PET even in addition to CT scan. All the studies show that PET is able to detect the difference between malignant and benign cells better than CT. One study showed 58% of nodules that CT detected as malignant, were correctly determined benign by the PET scan. It is also more accurate in determining if cells are malignant. If it is worst case scenario, there's less second guessing and you wont get unnecessary treatment.  Remember the HOSPITALS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO GET PAID, like I said, pretty sure CT is more expensive. And it may say malignant if it isn't and then you gotta pay for treatment, not to mention the emotional toll. I don't presume you are not a aware of these things. But it is real easy for hospitals/doctors to take advantage when people are blindsided by life changing events, and we trust them to do best because they know more.....but never ever forget doctors are just people and hospitals are BUSINESSES. And even though there are millions of good doctors who really want to help...even the best doctor has "protocol" and "policies"....so tell 'em you want a PET scan (if you want). Or if they do a CT, ask for a PET as well.    and tell me to shut up if you want. seriously.   Here's some sites:
http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/abstract/202/2/441

https://www.inspire.com/groups/lung-cancer-alliance-survivors/discussion/pet-vs-mri-vs-ct-scan/

http://www.lung-cancer-blog.com/blogs/permalinks/2-2008/pet-outperforms-ct-in-malignant-lung-nodules.html

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/567410

[Chinacat321]

I obviously don't know what the results of your tests are going to be. But I do know that when you search and research on the net, almost all of the information is going to point to cancer. When someone has a node and it is benign, no one goes and makes a website about non-cancerous nodes and what to do if you had one removed. People who get cancer are the ones researching. I know you are worried, and research if you must. But my advice is to stop searching the internet and try not to think about what happens if the results are bad. I know it must feel like forever waiting to find out, but take this opportunity to think about what you love about life/your life. When those tests are negative, you will laugh at how much you stressed. And have new appreciation for what you have.  If bad news, you will deal then.   I wish the best of luck for you.