Hi, I’m new here, in August I had a ct scan to see if my arteries were blocked - they were all clear and heart sound. Which was great but they did pick up two lung nodules, one in each lung one 7mm at the base of one lung and a similar one in the minor fissure of my other lung. I went from great my heart is fine to I’m going to die of cancer.
I found it reassuring on here to speak to people about angina so really looking for a bit more of a sensible perspective of what these nodules could be. I have been referred for a follow up scan in 3 months, the wait and worry is not doing my mental health any good and having ok moments sprinkled with sheer panic moments.
I was a smoker but quit about 6 years ago so that’s in the back of my mind, a previous x ray in June didn’t pick up anything, but I read that nodules under 8mm are not always seen.
It’s good to just get my worries out there in the world xx
Easier said than done for some people but do try not to worry. Many ,especially ex smokers like myself have nodules. The three monthly checks are quite normal, just to monitor the nodules. I have had three scans since last September, hadn't results from second and third, so no news is good news.
Hi thanks, it’s the smoking side that really gets you worried, good to hear that you have been experiencing similar and it’s a normal process if not immediately suspicious. Jules
I contacted the consultants secretary for my results on my lung nodules because they never arrived only to find out she was working elsewhere, the secretary referred my results to another consultant and I received them, I also requested a copy of the results which I received. I worry hugely waiting which is stressful and triggers flares in other condition I have.
I too have two nodules. They were discovered five years ago. They have remained unchanged so I rarely even think about them. I have other lung problems so the nodules are way down my list of things to worry about.
Nodules can be clinically significant or not. A greater percentage are benign. From memory it is about 40% that can become something to worry about. I have a nodule but it is doing nothing going nowhere and is benign. It is easy to say do not worry as I can remember my reaction on first being told. The good news is that it as been found and you are getting follow up. From my vast amount of reading nodules that are less than one cm have excellent prospects in regard to treatment even if they are non benign. Yours nodules have been picked up early due to other investigations which in many ways could be a lucky break. Please keep us informed. Your worry is understandable and even if we can do nothing sharing your worries may help.
I had a nodule picked up in my last CT scan in October 2020. I was told nothing would be done about it as it was 6mm and the threshold for monitoring is 7mm. So I asked the consultant, 'How will anyone know if it has grown the other 1mm if it's not monitored?' His answer was that it is unlikely that will happen in 4 years by which time another CT scan would pick it up. He said that the radiation from repeated scanning or x ray is more likely to cause a problem than the nodule itself.
I have to trust this man to have given me the right information as I don't have anyone else who can advise me, so I have been glad to read the responses to your question and know that others are in a similar position.
I think it is good that they are going to monitor you and wish that they would do the same for me as it is not good to know there is something in your lung that may or may not cause a problem but have no means of knowing if it's getting bigger.
I hope you get a positive outcome from your next appointment.
Thanks Moy, I have found reassurance in the responses. The size difference between 6mm and 7mm doesn’t seem much and in my mind I have visions of it being 30mm by the time they scan again but that’s how our minds work I suppose.
We try to stay positive and stay away from over googling symptoms etc which can have a massive effect on how we think. I have found in here a more realistic perspective which I need.
I liken it to having two garden peas in my lungs for size wise.
You are quite right about Google. It can be both a help and a hindrance. My problem is that I like to be fully informed and so, if I don't get a satisfactory response from the medics, I Google to see if there is anything else I should know so that I can ask the question at the next opportunity. On the way, I sometimes pick up information I would prefer not to have seen!
Let's hope we are all getting the right treatment for our needs and will live to fight many more days - years! - in the future. Positive vibes to you! xx Moy
Hi Turndolph They give you this news but don’t tell you what it implies. Apparently I’ve got a left lung nodule and my lung or lungs are interstitial. What this means I haven’t got a clue. I found out by reading my discharge letter from hospital about twelve weeks ago. Nobody said a word about it. I rang the lung centre and they were going to speak to my Consultant but I’ve heard nothing. The only thing that gives me hope is that I’ve had it for three years and it hasn’t changed. So fingers crossed for us both.
It’s is that, they found mine due to possible angina so was having heart scanned. The trouble is I’m now thinking well that means it could have spread from somewhere so then over analysing every little thing. I mean I’ve had trouble with my bladder for years but is that a sign of bladder cancer that has now spread….. sorry having a really bad up down day today, too long in my own at home. I even have to just think ok if it was bad ( or they thought it could be then they would have me in sooner) plus I have never had a scan before so could they have been there years… or I drive myself mad with worry and affect the rest of my health. The letter said this is common but they always follow up….Who knows. Yes positive fingers crossed for both of us x
Hi TD ,found a nodule on my lung scan about five years ago now ,also they can see them if they are looking as mine was 4mm ,I was scared at the time ,I was sent for another scan to check it one year later ,specialist told me it was harmless ,and lots of people have nodules and dont know they have them, hope this helps
Hi TurndolphI had a chest CT scan for other reasons and 2 lung nodules were discovered by the radiologist. I had another CT scan 3 months later and then a further CT scan 1 year after the original discovery. Covid 19 delayed things a little and I had to chase things up but after the 3rd CT scans it was decided by the lung specialist they were nothing to worry about and no further follow up is required.
I am a researcher and as usual read lots and came to the decision from my research and all the helpful people on here that these discoveries are quite normal and until I had my results I could do nothing other than make myself ill worrying.
I found this article in Pulse informative and not too full of medical terminology on how things in the UK are usually managed. I like to be informed and had I not read this article I would not have been able to challenge another consultant:
I had requested a copy of my CT scan from my referring consultants secretary, I have copies of all my medical records. I noted other issues recorded by the radiologist in my lungs and gallbladder that had not been raised with lung specialist or gastroenterology so I later insisted this was sent to them. It is not the first time this has happened to me since the referring consultant is just interested in his or her part of the scan which is what happened again with the 2 lung nodules and when I sat in front of the rheumatologist and she said your CT scan is all good, I pointed out the lung nodules and gallbladder notes made by the radiologist and asked what was happening with these, I was told they are OK so I asked her to explain why she had not referred me to get the lung nodules checked out when one of them fell within the UK guidelines for checking... and further asked about the gallbladder to which she had no answers... unbelievable. I was referred to both the lung clinic and gastroenterology.
Hi all, I thought I would update on where I am with the two 7mm lung nodules they found in a ct scan incidentally. They are stable, I have just received the results and will be monitored again in August next year. I wanted to let people know as I found speaking to people on here really supportive, even if it was only one question. For anyone else who may find this post, being told they have found something in your lungs and the anxiety that comes with the waiting can be horrible but please stay positive. Find people to talk to and don’t keep it all in you head, get your worries and concerns out there, it will help xx
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Thoracic CT Scan - With contrast.
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