Lung nodule

[TOFK]

Hi all,

On the CT-scan is a lung nodule visable with a diameter of 6 mm. Can this be cll/sll related and is somebody familiar with lung nodules?

Thanks

[LovecuresCLL]

Many benign things can cause a 6 mm nodule in the lung. A granuloma, a cyst, benign hamartoma, a calcification, an enlarged vessel....a intraparenchymal lymph node.

Sure it could be a collection or aggregate of lymphocytes.....some of them CLL lymphocytes.

It could even be an early lung tumor.

That wouldn’t be the first thing I would think of. So you must not worry.

I would look at the radiologist impression and maybe they can do an MRI to further characterize the nodule.

6 mm is small. Was it an incidental finding on a routine CT to look for lymph nodes?

Why were they doing a CT in the first place?

It may just be an old granuloma from some infection you had years and years ago.

They could watch it for a month and see if it grows and repeat the radiology study. Or do MRI to further characterize it, as I said earlier.

They could do an analysis of your sputum or do bronchial washing or brushings to see if any cells there, if it persists or enlarges.

It depends on where in your lung it’s located too on what’s the best course and where you are in the course of you CLL....all of what is unknown from your post.

What did the doctor say?

[TOFK in reply to LovecuresCLL]

Thanks for your reply.

The CT scan was 5 months ago before starting treatment with BR. The doctor didn't say anything about the lung nodule, but it was mentioned in the report. We asked for a second opinion in another hospital for the CLL and in the report it was mentioned again: '' small non-specific lung nodule, don't need to follow up''. Now, after 5 months and 3 cycles BR, the CT-scan is repeated and all the lymph nodes are decreased in size and the lung nodule is still 6mm. So, yes it was an incidental finding and the doctors didn't mentioned anything about this. Our next appointment is in 3 weeks for the CLL.

[LovecuresCLL in reply to TOFK]

It sound like an old granuloma. It is a common finding. It is probably unrelated to the CLL. You may have had an old infection years ago that left a nodule of “scarring” or calcification. If the radiologist isn’t concerned and it’s not growing I would not worry. But if you want to press the radiology department further ask your doctor to ask them why “nonspecific”? Any guesses what it is? Or what it was?

Or send your CD of the CT to another hospital to have it re-reviewed by another group of radiologists. Maybe another radiologist will have a better idea or commit to something besides nonspecific.

Or you could just follow it the next time they do a CT.

If it remains stable in size again, then I wouldn’t worry . If it’s not growing it is not a malignancy.

It is frustrating to have this “mystery nodule” but it is not uncommon. I have a friend who smokes and has prostate cancer and he has these old granulomas in his lungs. But they don’t grow. He had a fungal infection in his youth and they left these “scars.”

Anyway keep us informed and good luck.

Best wishes,

John

[TOFK in reply to LovecuresCLL]

Many thanks John. you're right it's maybe because of the infections (2 times). The good thing is that it is not growing in size in 5 months. I will ask the doctor in 3 weeks and I will let it know.

Thanks again!

[Hoffy]

Hopefully it’s nothing. But I do know of a case of someone who found lung cancer in a clinical trial from a scan. Her CLL doctor fought with the lung cancer doctor to not too strong chemo or any chemo therapy and just remove it. I don’t exactly know all the details but I do know the CLL Dr. fought hard to not do the standard treatment . Now Over 10 years later she’s doing fine.

Be well,

Hoffy

[TOFK in reply to Hoffy]

Hi Hoffy, thanks for the reply. I will put pressure on the doctors to do more research. I am not happy with the CLL dr. she just said you should talk with the lung dr. about it.

[Hoffy in reply to TOFK]

To start it is very important to work with the lung cancer doctor. Hopefully it is nothing.

My point was just my CLL Doctor tries to minimize chemo to start but that is a discussion once you know what the situation is. Every situation is different and i am not a docotor. I am just giving you some information I know.

A strong CLL expert can always help you.

cllsociety.org/toolbox/cll-...

Be well,

Hoffy

[TOFK in reply to Hoffy]

Many thanks for the info and advice!

[Hoffy in reply to TOFK]

where are you located?

[TOFK in reply to Hoffy]

The Netherlands

[country76]

After my legionnaire's disease follow-up, CT showed a very small spec on my lung. I thought of it coming from Cll infiltration however the doctors said they didn't know what it was and not visible to the human eye or touch and will have another CT in a few months.

[TOFK in reply to country76]

Thanks for your reply.

Best wishes.