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What Do Nodes In Lungs Indicate?
Question: In Dec 2012 a CT Scan noted nodes surrounding the lungs. In XXXXXXX 2013 I had another CT Scan. There was no change in the size of the nodes. In April 2013 I was give a PET Scan and the specialist said
it was not cancer. Later in the year I had one more CT Scan and the change in the size of the nodes
was minimal. My oncologist said I was fine. No more tests. My regular doctor is very inquisitive
about the nodes but said the only way to know for sure if the nodes were cancer was to take a
biopsy of them. He hesitates to do this because he said it is a risky procedure. I don't have any
unusual symtoms so he said we'd wait and see if anything develops. Do you think I should have another CT Scan?
it was not cancer. Later in the year I had one more CT Scan and the change in the size of the nodes
was minimal. My oncologist said I was fine. No more tests. My regular doctor is very inquisitive
about the nodes but said the only way to know for sure if the nodes were cancer was to take a
biopsy of them. He hesitates to do this because he said it is a risky procedure. I don't have any
unusual symtoms so he said we'd wait and see if anything develops. Do you think I should have another CT Scan?
Brief Answer:
It is unlikely to be cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
You have not mentioned the size of the nodes. If they are small (especially less than a cm) and not increasing on serial scans and PET being negative, chances of cancer are quite low.
I agree with your doctor that biopsy is confirmatory but in this scenario biopsy may not be required. You can get another CT and if there is no change then no further intervention may be required.
Hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer further followup queries, if any.
It is unlikely to be cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
You have not mentioned the size of the nodes. If they are small (especially less than a cm) and not increasing on serial scans and PET being negative, chances of cancer are quite low.
I agree with your doctor that biopsy is confirmatory but in this scenario biopsy may not be required. You can get another CT and if there is no change then no further intervention may be required.
Hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer further followup queries, if any.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The nodules were between 4mm to 8 mm as of my last CT Scan on 11/12/13.
Some nodules were noted to have changed from a 3mm to a 4mm. My doctor
dismissed the possible change as it could be a difference in the person
reading the scan. The notes on the scan read..."No pleural effusions. No enlarged hilar, mediastinal or axillary lymph notes by CT size criteria. There are multiple small pretracheal lymph nodes and AP window lymph nodes."
I'm just worried that skipping another CT Scan is a decision I'll regret later on. But as my doctor said a few weeks ago...if we do another Scan and the nodules have increased in size somewhat...what would I be willing to do about it. Probably nothing ...just wait and see as he suggested. But because I had
breast cancer, stage 2 in 2002...I always have a worry in the back of my mind.
Some nodules were noted to have changed from a 3mm to a 4mm. My doctor
dismissed the possible change as it could be a difference in the person
reading the scan. The notes on the scan read..."No pleural effusions. No enlarged hilar, mediastinal or axillary lymph notes by CT size criteria. There are multiple small pretracheal lymph nodes and AP window lymph nodes."
I'm just worried that skipping another CT Scan is a decision I'll regret later on. But as my doctor said a few weeks ago...if we do another Scan and the nodules have increased in size somewhat...what would I be willing to do about it. Probably nothing ...just wait and see as he suggested. But because I had
breast cancer, stage 2 in 2002...I always have a worry in the back of my mind.
Brief Answer:
probably unrelated to the breast cancer in 2002
Detailed Answer:
The size of all the nodes is quite small and increase from 3 to 4 mm does not count.
Probably another CT scan may be avoided safely.
Regards
probably unrelated to the breast cancer in 2002
Detailed Answer:
The size of all the nodes is quite small and increase from 3 to 4 mm does not count.
Probably another CT scan may be avoided safely.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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