Spot on recent CAT scan

[Nancyinabif]

Hello all, I’m posting here because you are all more knowledgeable and experienced personally about this than any medical team I’ve encountered. My husband is 15 months post IL and just went for a follow up CT. Dr says all looks fine with surgical area but saw a very tiny “spot” on his left lung. Wants to wait 3 months to do a PET scan to see if it’s anything or changed. Has anyone else had this happen? We’re trying not to think the worst but really still afraid it’s cancer in a new area. Thankful for any information you can pass on .

[mgloughran]

I had the same news on an early scan, and that was five years ago. My doctor told me the same thing, they would watch it and if it grew they would biopsy but so far no growth at all. In fact, sometimes it doesn't even show on the scan, that is how small it is. Doctor also said it might just be a birthmark, and not to worry about it unless it changes, which it hasn't. Hopefully same news for your husband!

[Nancyinabif in reply to mgloughran]

Thanks for that reply! You have given us a bit of hope and we’ll hang onto that. Wishing you continued good health!

[tallbear]

Hi Nancy,

My problem is not quite the same as yours but the procedures are the same.

I first knew I had developed a lung problem when I was continually short of breath and finding it more and more difficult to climb stairs or walk more than a hundred yards or so.

They sent me for all the different scans and tests and think that as a result of the IL op my lungs have suffered from aspiration (Contents of the digestive system running back up into the lungs)

I was like you worried that it may be the cancer returning in a different place and was nervous. They did the same procedure in that they wanted to compare scans after a period of three months and then six etc to see if the damage to my lungs was growing or diminishing.

So that is a standard sort of procedure to satisfy themselves. After three months they may decide to give you a bronchoscopy which is like an endoscopy only they look inside your lungs. During this procedure they may take biopsies to ascertain the nature of the mark.

My advice is try not to get panicky about it, you need the full picture before any treatment can start and you may be worrying yourself unnecessarily.

My wife had quite a large black spot on her lungs in the eighties and it just diminished and went away never to return.

Hope it helps and Good Luck

Richard

[Nancyinabif in reply to tallbear]

Thanks so much for your reply Richard. My husband also has shortness of breath as you do. After this last scan the doctor said he thought some of what he saw was aspiration also. We will wait and see what happens when he gets the next scan. But your response has helped me to feel better about it all. I appreciate your taking the time to answer. Wishing you good health!!

Nancy

[Wojtek123]

Hello, I was about 14 mo post op and had a couple of lung spots show up on a routine CAT scan. the oncologist had me wait 3 months and then ordered another scan. The spots didn't grow so he called them 'lung nodes" and said that they should be monitored but probably not cancer, said people especially at my age can get lung nodes. He didn't elaborate though. I'm due for another scan in a month., have to wait and see.

[Nancyinabif in reply to Wojtek123]

Thanks for posting. “Spots” is a rather vague term. Glad yours weren’t cancerous and hope they continue to be nothing to worry about!