Node

[Lovey1000]

What does this mean?????

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Head and neck: My imperfect understanding. no sign of active cancer. Some signs of previous treatment.

Chest: lots I don’t understand. There is now some fluid in the sac that surrounds the lung, they think you should have it drained and biopsied to make sure it’s not because of cancer.

There is one suspicious node but they also found indication that you had pneumonitis. Pneumonitis can cause a nodule to appear active. They are concerned. You really need to see your oncologist and get his take. He has been following you and will better understand what the changes mean.

[Lovey1000 in reply to Denzie]

I swear you need a md degree. Just to mention I’m sick right now and can’t stop coughing, chest cold, upper respiratory infection, maybe that caused the inflammation but ty for info Denzie

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to Lovey1000]

8+ years living with this lung cancer has taught me a few things. Often I had read that irritation from coughing and exposure to fumes can cause nodules to appear or enlarge. I had pneumonitis just before a CT late 11/17. Two of my lung nodules had grown but the dr thought it might be due to the pneumonitis so we watched, did CTs every 3 months and they didn’t change in over a year. Please know too that there are many things that can cause pleural effusions.

As I said in my previous answer, my knowledge is imperfect and there’s much I didn’t understand. Please let us know what your oncologist says. When do you see him/her?

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to Denzie]

Don't sell yourself short, you understood a heck of a lot more than I did.

[Lovey1000 in reply to Denzie]

March 7th, then to boot I had the worst chest cold during my pet scan and went to the ER who told my. Lungs were clear! All I can do is await till I see my oncologist and my radiation dr says he can zap the node or lymph node whatever it is...thank you. And I’ll keep up dated

[Feelingblessed2013]

I agree with Denzie, you should see your oncologist and go over everything. Please keep us informed.

[ynkefan08753]

Good morning Lovey

There’s a reason why you “need a medical degree” to read these scans and results and that’s why a patient should never get the report BEFORE the ordering doctor does. We see things that freak us out and then go crazy trying to decipher what it all means. I suggest you take Denzies advice and follow up with your oncologist. A lot of times a radiologist will read your scans when they aren’t totally familiar with your history so they say things like “suspicious” and “possible metastasis”. I had a vascular doctor who ordered an mri for my thoracic outlet call me in to his office and say “we can’t worry about your TOS right now because it appears you may have lung cancer”. Well duh...I was diagnosed with lunc cancer in 2015 lol. He forgot because I was a new pt, only saw him once and he ordered the MRI.

If you haven’t already, make a follow up appt with whoever ordered this scan. Don’t worry yourself needlessly. I get it. Between every scan it’s torture. We’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop ...I’m sure everything is fine but go in for the follow up and just keep the faith 😊

Good luck and good health 🙏🏻🙏🏻

D

[JeanE41]

Basically the radiologist is commenting on things that are out of the ordinary. Radiologists tend to be very conservative and thorough. It is their job to alert the doctor who ordered the scan to any abnormalities and recommended follow up diagnostic tests. He or she does not know the whole picture, only what appears on the scan and compares it to previous scans. Your oncologist or the doctor who ordered the scan takes it from there. He or she is the one to consult about your test results. Remember, the medical professionals have a language all their own, so don't feel bad about not understanding what you read. Let your doctor interpret for you.

I hope this helps and that you get your answers soon. Jean