I have seen several people refer to this here, but didn't know what it was. My PET/CT scan on Friday showed some mildly alarming things -- bone met in spine is shrinking, but a bunch of subcentimeter but metabolically active lymph nodes around the lungs (hila, paratrachea, mediastinal-pleural). Not good.
The only definitive finding was ate...I have to learn to write this and say it, but I will just quote the report:
"left infrahilar lesion with new postobstructive atelectasis demonstrating low level FDG uptake. Recommend close clinical surveillance for developing pneumonia."
Why do we get atelectasis? Is it from cancer, or treatments? When I looked it up, it said mostly post-surgical, or lying down a lot. Nothing about mbc.
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TammyCross
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I meant to ask not only why we get it, but for those who have dealt with it, did you get rid of it; if so, how long did it take; and was there specific treatment for it?
At the moment, I am just looking for facts and experience. Maybe after I see the oncologist tomorrow, I will want sympathy, too.
Dear TammyCross---I too looked the long word up. Cleveland Clinic has a very detailed piece on the subject. Cancer is mentioned as an obstructive. The less we know, the more we worry...I hope that your next meeting with the doctor will result in clarification and nothing more.
I have an answer to my own question. Jersey Jazz is right. It seems that I have an obstruction, a 2.2 cm node on left hilar, and it must be blocking the bottom of my lung, so air gradually seeped out of that part and it flattened. Also, it may be plugged with mucus. I have been referred to a pulmonologist. They can open it back up with a broncoscope. Don't want another procedure!
Still waiting to hear experience of others who have had atelectasis. I know you are out there.
hi tammy - my scans have sometimes referred to atelectasis. I was curious but it is trapped air/fluid. I’ve got some post op fluid (open heart Surgery) and although more painful than I anticipated, am told it will be reabsorbed within 7-10 days. Wasn’t enough to drain.
They think I might need a stent put in to open up the blockage. I looked up that procedure last night. Bad idea. It looks like some kind of medieval torture. They put a stiff rod down from your mouth all the way to the bottom of the lung, in my case. I hope it can open up another way.
In those who are on chemo it's usually the treatment that causes it.They're keeping a close eye on it so nothing to be overly concerned about right now.
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