HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Diagnosed With COPD. Lung CT Showed Nodules. History Of Breast Cancer. When Will The Nodules Be Biopsied?

Oct 19, I was dx with COPD and had a Lung CT (w/ contrast), that showed a left upper nodule 3mm, and a nodule on the adrenal gland of 1.8X 1.7cm. Feb 25, the CT w/o contrast was done. That one shows: a nodule with in the right lower lobe in the costophrenic sulcus measuring approx 6 mm. There are also a few clustered nodules seen within the right upper lobe in a relative band like distribution posteriorly along the major fissure . There is surrounding ground glass attenuation. There are a few ill defined smaller nodular opacities similarly within the left upper lobe along the major fissure as well. The largest of these nodules within the right upper lobe measures approximately 7 mm in short axis. There are a few scattered linear opacaties at the lung bases, likely due to subsegmental atelectasis. My hx includes Left side Breast cancer with mast, chemo , anti-hormone tx and I believe the 7 mm is actually in the upper left lobe and was misinterpreted, printed or such. My question is, my pulm. Doctor wants to wait yet another 3 months to see if this things grows more. I m really worried about that, b/c I smoked for 40+ years and lost my father to lung cancer from smoking all his life also about 25 years ago. I am 54 and quit smoking January 5 of this year. Is it common to NOT bipsy these nodules till they are large? And how large before they are usually biopsied?
Sat, 16 Mar 2013
Report Abuse
Pulmonologist 's  Response
Hi

COPD is the damage in your lung from long term smoking. This can cause breathing difficulties leading to poor exercise capacity. You will require inhalers and possible tablets depending upon the severity of your COPD plus other factors like how many time you get admitted to the hospital with an exacerbation and quality of life etc.

Breast cancer: what was the staging of the disease. Did the lymp nodes taken out during the operation were positive of cancer cells and when did you have the cancer (which year).



Coming to the main point which you are worried about the lung nodules, 3 mm is a very small nodule and quite rightly the pulmonologist says he will do a interval scan after 3 months. If you have a single nodule which is more than 1 cm, it may be worth while to do a PET scan if available (not always available most places). nodules cannot be biopsied. It has to be taken out surgically which is a major operation and carries it's own risk. I understand your concern fully and anyone in your shoes will feel the same. However, it doesn't necessary mean that the nodule is malignant. many times it turn out to be benign. Having said that you have important risk factors like father had lung cancer, long term smoker and also hx of breast cancer. So you have to play safe, which you doing anyway.

The CT finding are very non specific like clusters of very small nodules. Did you have any CT scan during the time of your breast cancer diagnosis which could be compared with the latest one ?



What is important while you wait for the next CT scan is keep any open mind and watch out for any red flag like change in breathing pattern, blood in the sputum or just coughing up blood, weight loss etc. In such case you need to notify your doctor immediately. ideally for the next 2 yrs you need to have interval CT scans at 3 months first 2 and then every 6 months. You have to keep in mind the radiation exposure from the CT scans so try to speak to a radiologist who can do the scan with minimum radiation exposure (spiral CT)
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful

Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Recent questions on Smoking cessation


Loading Online Doctors....
Diagnosed With COPD. Lung CT Showed Nodules. History Of Breast Cancer. When Will The Nodules Be Biopsied?

Hi COPD is the damage in your lung from long term smoking. This can cause breathing difficulties leading to poor exercise capacity. You will require inhalers and possible tablets depending upon the severity of your COPD plus other factors like how many time you get admitted to the hospital with an exacerbation and quality of life etc. Breast cancer: what was the staging of the disease. Did the lymp nodes taken out during the operation were positive of cancer cells and when did you have the cancer (which year). Coming to the main point which you are worried about the lung nodules, 3 mm is a very small nodule and quite rightly the pulmonologist says he will do a interval scan after 3 months. If you have a single nodule which is more than 1 cm, it may be worth while to do a PET scan if available (not always available most places). nodules cannot be biopsied. It has to be taken out surgically which is a major operation and carries it s own risk. I understand your concern fully and anyone in your shoes will feel the same. However, it doesn t necessary mean that the nodule is malignant. many times it turn out to be benign. Having said that you have important risk factors like father had lung cancer, long term smoker and also hx of breast cancer. So you have to play safe, which you doing anyway. The CT finding are very non specific like clusters of very small nodules. Did you have any CT scan during the time of your breast cancer diagnosis which could be compared with the latest one ? What is important while you wait for the next CT scan is keep any open mind and watch out for any red flag like change in breathing pattern, blood in the sputum or just coughing up blood, weight loss etc. In such case you need to notify your doctor immediately. ideally for the next 2 yrs you need to have interval CT scans at 3 months first 2 and then every 6 months. You have to keep in mind the radiation exposure from the CT scans so try to speak to a radiologist who can do the scan with minimum radiation exposure (spiral CT)