Small lung nodules

[ocman]

Sorry this is off topic, but here's my situation:

I just recently noticed that I missed the section in the test results from my EBT Scan (to test the plaque in my arteries) on 1-4-2018, where they recommended getting a dedicated chest CT scan because they found (2) lung nodules (my bad).

I had a Echocardiogram on 1-15-2020 for my pre HDR Brachytherapy (monotherapy) on 2-7-2020 & 2-14-2020 with Dr. Chang.

I then had a CT Chest Scan w/o contrast on 5-12-20.

On the scan in 2018 there was 2 nodules 2mm & 4mm, on the scan on 5-12-20 they were 4mm & 5mm, plus several tiny ones.

I had a consultation with a Pulmonologist at UCLA on 6-25-20 and he recommended another chest CT scan this August (3 months after my last CT scan) with a follow up CT scan 6 months after, then a PET scan after that if the lung nodules increased in size. I requested a PET scan because I didn't want to wait 9 months to find out there was cancer if I could find out now.

My question is, should I just be following the Doctors recommendation or am I being to paranoid?

peace

[StayingOptimistic]

Unfortunately, I am still struggling with this question and have not found an answer.

[Tall_Allen]

Most lung nodules are benign. I think your pulmonologist is being cautious.

[ocman in reply to Tall_Allen]

Yes, especially under 5mm.

I failed to mention:

Lymph Nodes and Mediastinum: 1.1 x 1.5 cm nodule in the anterior mediastinum between the ascending thoracic aorta and main pulmonary artery.

[V10fanatic in reply to Tall_Allen]

I found the same thing on my scans. My Pulmonologist said that depending upon where you live in the country you can have lots of them in your lungs.

[Magnus1964]

Don't want to scare you but I had the same nodules in my lungs. I ended up on Provenge. Worked well.

[ocman in reply to Magnus1964]

Just curious, how large were the nodules?

[Magnus1964 in reply to ocman]

Very small as I recall, about the same size as yours. The Provengeworked well.

[dadzone43]

lung nodules of this sort are common and do not necessarily represent _anything_. Your doctor has made the right recommendation to monitor the nodules and see if they change. Your challenge -- like all of us -- is to live with the anxiety.

[ocman in reply to dadzone43]

I think at this point, I would rather get a PET/CT scan and be done with it, one way or the other.

[dadzone43]

I certainly hope that works for you.

[Neathuh1]

Don’t want to load you down with too many replies but here’s my story. December 2018, one nodule spotted on CT, “likely nothing, have it checked in 6 months”. July 2019, multiple lesions spotted throughout lungs. Urologist suspected lung cancer (I’m a former smoker) and sent films to pulmonologist. He thought it was a common fungus he saw “3 or 4 times a day” and would likely respond to meds and clear up in a few months. When my doc at M D Anderson saw the report he said “baloney, it’s an uncommon form of metastasis associated with your prostate cancer“. Had one lesion biopsied and he was correct. On Lupron since and it has remained stable. God bless M D Anderson.

[ocman]

I've been reading that a PET/CT scan has a hard time detecting nodules that are smaller than 8-10mm. Not sure if I should just get another CT scan rather than a PET/CT scan.

[ocman]

Got the call from the doctor today and good news, nothing lit up in the PET/CT scan. The medaistinum mass appears to be a cyst, he said nothing to worry about. Follow up with a low dose CT scan in 6 months...