Groundglass shadowing in a lung anyone?

[Irisisme]

Hello People.

I’ve started stewing so it’s time to ask you, the people who really know.

My Oncologist told me my scan was negative, that is really great, we know there is miliary disease which doesn’t show on a CT scan but thats ok, it’s nicely under control so Hapoy Days and I’m good for another 3 months 😁👍

HOWEVER, I have since seen a copy of the scan report.

My issue is that when I got the report it read, “mild groundglass shadowing at base of left lung” - this is new. I had/have been getting a bit breathless since October so I asked my Oncologist if my chest was clear and he said “yes” - I hadn’t seen the report then. Now I don’t know whether to believe him and I don’t really want to go back to him and challenge him on it. It does say it’s mild. Could it be a side-effect from the Paclitaxel, a slight infection, really nothing to worry about?

Am I worrying about nothing? Maybe I should not have asked for a copy of the report - sometimes ignorance really is bliss!

I’m seeing a different Oncologist in 3 months and might just leave it and see how things are in 3 months, because even if it is ‘something’ I don’t want more chemo or drugs right now. It may be gone, or no worse in 3 months.

Has anyone else had this groundglass shadowing or groundglass opacity?

My GP has prescribed Prednisolone (Prednisone) for joint pains that apparently ARE a carryover from Paclitaxel and it has helped with the breathlessness too but I’m being weaned of that now so not sure how things will go.

I’m hoping someone will have some words of wisdom.

Thank you,

Iris xx

[Lindaura]

Dear Iris,

I think you are probably out of the woods and worrying needlessly, but I do have a couple of remarks for you.

When I was first diagnosed, I had very severe ascites and a pleural effusion that effectively crushed my lungs! Both lungs were partially collapsed, so along with blood clots inside both lungs, they were actual both crushed!

I did not know this until I read it in my CT scan!

Something like that could have happened to you,

“In radiology, ground glass opacity (GGO) is a nonspecific finding on computed tomography (CT) scans that indicates a partial filling of air spaces in the lungs by exudate or transudate, as well as interstitial thickening or partial collapse of lung alveoli.”

But the good news is that lungs can heal!

There is no sign of my collapsed lungs any longer and I breathe!!!

So, let yourself have this time to recoup and then revisit this in three months.

Hope this helps,

Laurs

[Irisisme in reply to Lindaura]

Thanks Laura, I am probably worrying about nothing- it’s just that previous scans have been clear.

It could be just a bit of infection. Anyway, there (probably) isn’t any treatment that I need, I’d just like it to be acknowledged!

Thanks for the research! I have found that paper. I just love the support on this site.

Iris 💕❤️💕

[Cropcrop]

Hi lovely,

I have found that different doctors and oncologists tell you different things. I was told about my liver cysts and also the free fluid in my abdomen in a passing remark from a registrar, my consultant explained that sometimes some doctors don’t like to give full details in case patients are unable to deal with the information. I’m no ostrich and personally, work on a needing to know basis, I believe that once things have a ‘name’ I know what I’m dealing with and can move forward fully armed.

I have always found that if I ask more often than not they are really happy to discuss any worries I may have. I would think that if there was any cause for alarm they would have discussed it with you but if you’re concerned in any way it can do no harm to ask.

Laurs has given some really good info which I hope helps you and gives some peace of mind for you. Take lots of care ❤️Xx Jane

[Irisisme in reply to Cropcrop]

Yes, I really ought to just ask him but I am so angry with him right now. I hate being treated like a mushroom.

Thanks Jane, you are right. Hope Christies and still looking after you.

Lots of hugs,

Iris xx

[Neona]

I was moaning about breathlessness to my trial doctor after my last scan and he told me that I had had shadows on my lungs since July but they didn’t think it was anything significant. However they are sending me for a lung function test on Monday. I don’t know what groundglass refers to but it seems there are many reasons for shadows on the lungs - including overlapping organs and just the way you are breathing as the scan picture is taken. How about talking to your GP ?

[Irisisme in reply to Neona]

Hi Neona,

You too? I will have to speak with someone although my shadowing is only mild something is causing breathlessness. I hope yours really is insignificant too but don’t you feel that our doctors should have told us and ASKED US whether we were having any symptoms when they saw the shadowing? And certainly not downright lie to me when I asked whether my chest was clear.

I suspect mine is just a “wait and see” sort of thing but I still feel let down. Sorry, it’s just a trust thing.

I really hope your team sorts your lungs out as it sounds as though they could do with a little help.

Please post an update.

Good Luck.

Irus xx

[Neona]

They say mine is clear as well despite having had chest infection, cold and flu all in a row. I have complained about breathing problems on several occasions since the problem started during frontline chemo. Now they have decided to send me for a lung function test- will let you know what happens.

[Irisisme]

Yes, please do 🤞❤️

[Di16]

I have been told I have a small ground glass node at the base of my right lung. They say they don't know what it is, it's been there for quite a long while, it's getting no bigger, & it's not causing any problems. No-one seems to be worried about it.

[Irisisme]

HiDi,

I suspect my Oncologist is going to wait and see if it’s gone, the same, or worse on my next scan but he hasn’t told me. That would be fine but there are symptoms for me, I am breathless and have some chest pain (not bad).

I will speak to someone about it tomorrow.

Thank you,

Sending hugs,

Iris xx

[Lind58]

I would not "just leave" anything, your life is in your hands and you have the right to know everything.

[Irisisme]

Yes, we do don’t we! I am going to speak to my new Oncologist about it.

Thank you ❤️