6 Month CT Scan Results

Went for my first 6 month CT scan after frontline yesterday and got the dreaded call this morning - there is a 4 mm mass in my chest. Going for a PET scan next Wednesday, 12/14 to find out more. This is the pits but there is nothing I can do about it at this moment so I'll do my best to let my doctor worry about it while I try to get on with my life.

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Comments

  • oldbeauty
    oldbeauty Member Posts: 366 Member
    I empathize

    I will be interested in your update if you care to share.  I have been in remission for five years from first recurrence (first dx in 2005). I last had a PET/CT 2 years ago that showed NED.  3 weeks ago I had some symptoms that resulted in a new CT, which showed five 4 mm nodules scattered in both lungs.  My doctor said they are too small for biopsy and bc they are scattered I am not a candidate for surgery or radiation.  I've been offered the standard carboplatin/taxol chemo.  This is my second recurrence.  I'm not being sent for a PET bc doctor says there's no real likelihood it's not cancer; I had scattered lesions in my lungs that showed on my first recurrence in 2012, altho' they disappeared after I started a regimen of high dose progesterone.  I can wait 3 months for a re-scan and if there's further growth that confirms recurrence but doctor says if I plan to pursue treatment at all he has enough info to recommend that I proceed with chemo without further delay.  Is this your first recurrence?  If so, I imagine that is why you are being sent for PET.  4 mm is very small.  From my research, something that small is called a nodule and is too small to be called a "mass".  You're lucky there's just one.  You may have more treatment options than I do.  Good luck.  Old beauty

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    edited December 2016 #3
    Ah, Kim

    That's never the news you want to get, but oldbeauty is right.  That is VERY tiny.  As you said, there's no use expending energy playing the "what if" game, though that's easier said than done.  Damn.  Hoping the PET scan shows it is nothing.

  • Nellasing
    Nellasing Member Posts: 528 Member
    edited December 2016 #4
    Kim and Old beauty

    Just want you both to know you are in my thoughts and prayers as you wait and decide what to do next.  (((HUGS)))

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    Kim and Old Beauty

    So sorry to here this news from both of you.  Hoping for fast results from tests so that you know for sure what your are dealing with and can make good plans.  Hugs and prayers for both of you, Lou Ann

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,811 Member
    edited December 2016 #6
    Kim and Old Beauty,

    Kim and Old Beauty,

    Crappy news and I'm sorry that you are both having to deal with it. Dam cancer!

    We are all here for you. Please let us know what your next steps will be.

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 789
    Nodule not mass - much better!

    Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the support.

    Old beauty, I am so sorry that you're dealing with a second recurrence. Have you decided on your next course of action? I will definitely post whatever I find out from the PET scan. This would be my first recurrence (still hoping that it's not - I tend to be optimistic). Also, thank you for the correct nomenclature - nodule is much better than mass anyday! I will ask that my gyn-onc reconsider his choice of words in the future. :)

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    edited December 2016 #8
    Ahh ladies

    This is so hard to hear: nodule, mass, 1st or subsequent recurrences....it's all not what any of us want to hear. Why is it all so stubborn to make go away? Not fair! Not fair! Not fair!

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,359 Member
    edited December 2016 #9
    Lou Ann M said:

    Kim and Old Beauty

    So sorry to here this news from both of you.  Hoping for fast results from tests so that you know for sure what your are dealing with and can make good plans.  Hugs and prayers for both of you, Lou Ann

    Lou Ann, you took the words

    Lou Ann, you took the words out of my mouth.  I hate to hear this too.

  • Dsr
    Dsr Member Posts: 19
    edited December 2016 #10
    Sorry to hear this.  Keeping

    Sorry to hear this.  Keeping you in my prayers.

  • janaes
    janaes Member Posts: 799 Member
    Im so sorry.  Not the news i

    Im so sorry.  Not the news i wanted to hear but i hope you can find peace as you wait for your pet scan.  Hope it turns out to be nothing

  • beccabtown
    beccabtown Member Posts: 234
    Sorry to hear this

    So sorry to hear this, Kim. I hope you can focus on other things until you have more information and a plan for treatment. I know your positive attitude will make a big difference.

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,482 Member
    edited December 2016 #13
    I'm so sorry, Kim!  But, as

    I'm so sorry, Kim!  But, as everyone has pointed out, it's very small and it's been discovered really early so it can be treated.  The waiting is the worst but I like your attitude - let the doctors worry.  Sending you all my good vibs and positive thoughts.

    Love,

    Eldri

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    Oh Kim I'm so sorry:( This is

    Oh Kim I'm so sorry:( This is what we all fear, but as others have said it is small, so there is hope and as always you have a great attitude. I can relate to this all as my treatments have taken over a similar time period to yours. My prayers are with you.

  • cheerful
    cheerful Member Posts: 261 Member

    Hi Kim:

      I am sorry to hear about your small nodule.  Your doctor can treat it as it was found early.  I wish you all the best.  I will keep you in my prayers.   

      Going through a Pet Scan I feel is easier than going through a Cat Scan.  I went through my first Pet Scan in October.   Good luck with your Pet Scan on Wednesday.

      Please keep us informed.

    Cheerful

    a/k/a Jane

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    You're in my prayers

    pray for you dear one. 

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,678 Member
    edited December 2016 #17
    Kim

    I'm going to choose to believe this is going to have another explanation than cancer unless you learn differently after the follow up.  POLLYANNA was one of my favorite books as a child so I always hope for the best.  I'll be thinking about you.

     Cheese, love the pic of you ringing the bell.

     

  • MoeKay
    MoeKay Member Posts: 477 Member
    edited December 2016 #18
    Study on Benign vs. Malignant Small Nodules

    I'm very sorry about your CT results.  I found an abstract of a 2010 study from the Journal of Thoracic Oncology on PubMed on the issue of small lung nodules (4 mm. or less) detected on CT scans in oncologic patients.  Here's the conclusion and a link to the abstract if you want to check it out:

    CONCLUSION:

    In oncologic patients, 28% of small pulmonary nodules detected at initial CT will increase in size, suggesting metastasis. 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20978449

    This study would appear to indicate that the large majority of small nodules (at least 72% in this case, assuming that all of the nodules "suggesting metastasis" turned out to be metastatic cancer) in oncology patients are benign.  Wishing you completely normal results on your PET scan on Wednesday!!

     

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 789
    MoeKay said:

    Study on Benign vs. Malignant Small Nodules

    I'm very sorry about your CT results.  I found an abstract of a 2010 study from the Journal of Thoracic Oncology on PubMed on the issue of small lung nodules (4 mm. or less) detected on CT scans in oncologic patients.  Here's the conclusion and a link to the abstract if you want to check it out:

    CONCLUSION:

    In oncologic patients, 28% of small pulmonary nodules detected at initial CT will increase in size, suggesting metastasis. 

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20978449

    This study would appear to indicate that the large majority of small nodules (at least 72% in this case, assuming that all of the nodules "suggesting metastasis" turned out to be metastatic cancer) in oncology patients are benign.  Wishing you completely normal results on your PET scan on Wednesday!!

     

    Thank you, MoeKay! I'll take

    Thank you, MoeKay! I'll take those odds any day!

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 789
    ConnieSW said:

    Kim

    I'm going to choose to believe this is going to have another explanation than cancer unless you learn differently after the follow up.  POLLYANNA was one of my favorite books as a child so I always hope for the best.  I'll be thinking about you.

     Cheese, love the pic of you ringing the bell.

     

    Thanks, Connie. I feel the

    Thanks, Connie. I feel the same way and always hope for the best!

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 789
    edited December 2016 #21

    You're in my prayers

    pray for you dear one. 

    Thanks, Susan. I appreciate

    Thanks, Susan. I appreciate it and love, love that picture of you!