Like to hear from anyone that had lung nodules - whether is was a sign of metastasis or not

NanoSecond

srbelle1 said:

Nodules

i don't know if the above poster is still reading posts since the post above was almost 2 years ago.

if she or anyone else has knowledge of kidney cancer "skipping a step" and going to spine with clear nodes and all scans showing no lung nodules, can you please share more?

my husband's kidney cancer sounds very close to this and I have spent hours combing the internet for any answers on this situation.

he is recovering well, gaining energy and improving his appetite daily; the catheter came out last Friday and he finally understands that he needs to increase his water intake. I have been hounding him for years on not drinking water. The guy could play tennis singles in 100+degrees without even a sip of water. 

Now, he gets it and my concern about reddish urine being blood has been relieved; the color was due to dehydration. I was feeling remiss in not seeking medical attention at least two years ago based on dark urine but it was dehydration.

Sarah

Unfortunately

Yes.  RCC can "skip a step".  But, in fact, there are no "steps".  Mets can appear anywhere and at anytime - regardless of whether or not your lymph nodes were "clear" and normal.  Mine were. 

My 11cm tumor was also totally encapsulated inside my left kidney.  After my nephrectomy I was deemed to be "cancer free" (NED).  But all that meant was that there is no visible evidnence of any spread at that point in time. 

Small, microscopic tumor cells, called CTC's (Circulating Tumor Cells) are still present in our blood streams.  They can seek refuge in out of the way places and then remain dormant for years before developing into metastases.

That is why it is so important to conduct those regular CT scans going forward.

danbren2

Septemberzoe said:

New England guy

Hi new england guy,

i know this is a longshot a since this post is from long ago but I am in a similar situation And just wondered how things turned out with the lung nodules

Right Lower Lobe Removed

Septemberzoe,

     I was officialy diagnosed in July 2011 and had right kidney removed August 2011.  January of 2013 I started coughing up blood and was rushed to the hosiptal and then flown to Georgetown Hospital.  My scans up to that time had been clear.  I was placed on life support for about a week so the bleeding could be controlled, which finally thank God it was.  It was said not to be cancer related just a bad lung infection.  March 2013 I started coughing blood again, just not near as bad.  Back to Georgetown Hospital I was sent again. The decision was made to remove lower lobe of right lung.  The surgery was done March 16, 2013 and the results were positive for mets from the kidney cancer.  I am now doing well, can't even feel a difference with missing part of my lung.  Went back to work in April full time, June scan was clear and my next scan is scheduled for Oct. 11 and I am praying for that one to also be clear.

     I have had horrible problems with anxiety, and this is where I come to help deal.  The people on here are the best, and they are the ones that have helped me make it through!  They have taught me to not look at yesterday, live today to the fullest, and do not worry about tomorrow! I am here today and very happy to be!  Hope and pray everything goes well for you!

                                                             Love and prayers for good health!

                                                             Brenda

srbelle1

NanoSecond said:

Unfortunately

Yes.  RCC can "skip a step".  But, in fact, there are no "steps".  Mets can appear anywhere and at anytime - regardless of whether or not your lymph nodes were "clear" and normal.  Mine were. 

My 11cm tumor was also totally encapsulated inside my left kidney.  After my nephrectomy I was deemed to be "cancer free" (NED).  But all that meant was that there is no visible evidnence of any spread at that point in time. 

Small, microscopic tumor cells, called CTC's (Circulating Tumor Cells) are still present in our blood streams.  They can seek refuge in out of the way places and then remain dormant for years before developing into metastases.

That is why it is so important to conduct those regular CT scans going forward.

oh, no doubt about this

oh, no doubt about this disease turning up again and again; it was intriguing to read "skipping steps" about it not being in the lungs.

we were told by the oncologist that the goal at this point was not "cancer cure" but long intervals and CT scans will be done every 3 months.

my question, and I think it has been answered, is whether it metastasized in some type of order; for my husband, a 5-10 year interval would be welcome and we will learn the grade soon. Dreading this.... 

Cancer has entered our home again, a most unwelcome visitor.

thanks for the responses

sarah

Septemberzoe

dhs1963 said:

Lung nodules....

If you have lung nodules, it means something is showing up on your lungs that are not expected.  A PET scan wil tel you if it is metabolically active.  The nodule could be scaring from an earlier infection, an active infection, inhaling a pebble, or a met.

If it is metabolically active, then they should do a biopsy before treating, as you do not want to treat scar tissue as if it were cancer.

FWIW, I had a solitary nodule last december.  It was a met, but we did not know that until it was taken out.  Biopsy showed abnormal cells, but could not tell if it was a new primary or a met. 

Nodules

I have a 2mm nodule in right lung and 3mm nodule in left lower lung...have never had a chest ct before this one so nothing to compare with...dr said to rescan in 3 months and compare.saiid size was too small for biopsy or reliable PET scan results...praying for them to go away or show no change

dhs1963

Septemberzoe said:

Nodules

I have a 2mm nodule in right lung and 3mm nodule in left lower lung...have never had a chest ct before this one so nothing to compare with...dr said to rescan in 3 months and compare.saiid size was too small for biopsy or reliable PET scan results...praying for them to go away or show no change

2 mm is small....not a threat

A 2 mm nodule is small.  If it is cancerous, they will know soon enough.  It is hard to live with, I know, but that is the reality of our lives now.

Y

Galrim

danbren2 said:

Right Lower Lobe Removed

Septemberzoe,

     I was officialy diagnosed in July 2011 and had right kidney removed August 2011.  January of 2013 I started coughing up blood and was rushed to the hosiptal and then flown to Georgetown Hospital.  My scans up to that time had been clear.  I was placed on life support for about a week so the bleeding could be controlled, which finally thank God it was.  It was said not to be cancer related just a bad lung infection.  March 2013 I started coughing blood again, just not near as bad.  Back to Georgetown Hospital I was sent again. The decision was made to remove lower lobe of right lung.  The surgery was done March 16, 2013 and the results were positive for mets from the kidney cancer.  I am now doing well, can't even feel a difference with missing part of my lung.  Went back to work in April full time, June scan was clear and my next scan is scheduled for Oct. 11 and I am praying for that one to also be clear.

     I have had horrible problems with anxiety, and this is where I come to help deal.  The people on here are the best, and they are the ones that have helped me make it through!  They have taught me to not look at yesterday, live today to the fullest, and do not worry about tomorrow! I am here today and very happy to be!  Hope and pray everything goes well for you!

                                                             Love and prayers for good health!

                                                             Brenda

RCC lung mets

Just a word of encouragement to you Brenda. As RCC mets go, surgically removeable lung mets are the most favorable to get if one were forced to pick. There is a good chance that it will give long time durable response. Your onc most likely already told you this, but repeating it doesnt hurt I guess :-)

/G

Galrim

dhs1963 said:

Lung nodules....

If you have lung nodules, it means something is showing up on your lungs that are not expected.  A PET scan wil tel you if it is metabolically active.  The nodule could be scaring from an earlier infection, an active infection, inhaling a pebble, or a met.

If it is metabolically active, then they should do a biopsy before treating, as you do not want to treat scar tissue as if it were cancer.

FWIW, I had a solitary nodule last december.  It was a met, but we did not know that until it was taken out.  Biopsy showed abnormal cells, but could not tell if it was a new primary or a met. 

PET scan RCC

Just to underline what has been posted a million times before: PET scans for RCC are only useful in roughly 3/10 cases.

/G

twinthings

danbren2 said:

Right Lower Lobe Removed

Septemberzoe,

     I was officialy diagnosed in July 2011 and had right kidney removed August 2011.  January of 2013 I started coughing up blood and was rushed to the hosiptal and then flown to Georgetown Hospital.  My scans up to that time had been clear.  I was placed on life support for about a week so the bleeding could be controlled, which finally thank God it was.  It was said not to be cancer related just a bad lung infection.  March 2013 I started coughing blood again, just not near as bad.  Back to Georgetown Hospital I was sent again. The decision was made to remove lower lobe of right lung.  The surgery was done March 16, 2013 and the results were positive for mets from the kidney cancer.  I am now doing well, can't even feel a difference with missing part of my lung.  Went back to work in April full time, June scan was clear and my next scan is scheduled for Oct. 11 and I am praying for that one to also be clear.

     I have had horrible problems with anxiety, and this is where I come to help deal.  The people on here are the best, and they are the ones that have helped me make it through!  They have taught me to not look at yesterday, live today to the fullest, and do not worry about tomorrow! I am here today and very happy to be!  Hope and pray everything goes well for you!

                                                             Love and prayers for good health!

                                                             Brenda

an inspiration

Brenda, it seems each time I read one of your posts, I am inspired by your attitude and bravery.  I will be lifting you in prayer as you undergo your next set of scans, on the 11th.

Hugs to you,

Sindy

Viktor sirait

Are you sure that you were

Are you sure that you were discovered a lung nodung of 5 mm by X-ray?

I think ,  it is very diffucult for Xchest to discovered a nodul 1cm or less.