Do I biopsy or wait three months

dalelieberman
dalelieberman CSN Member Posts: 1
in Lung Cancer #1

I have an 8 mm lung nodule that grew from 3 in a year. SUV max 2.2 on pet scan. My pulmonologist is meeting with the tumor board.
I am a former long time smoker & my mom died from lung cancer. Do I biopsy or wait 3 mths & repeat a cat scan?

Comments

  • eDivebuddy
    eDivebuddy CSN Member Posts: 126
    #2

    This is one of those cases where the numbers and history speak for themselves. It's actually a little shocking that it's even a question. You have an 8 mm nodule that’s grown from 3 mm in a year, SUV of 2.2, you have a history of long-term smoking, and your mother had lung cancer.

    That’s more than enough to justify a biopsy now. Waiting 3 months is usually reserved for nodules that are stable, non-growing, or too small to safely biopsy. Yours has grown and is now of size to biopsy.

    The tumor board is probably confirming the best method, not whether to proceed.

    According to the NCCN Guidelines for Lung Cancer Screening and Evaluation of Pulmonary Nodules, a solid nodule ≥8 mm in a high-risk patient (former long-time smoker, family history, and growth) warrants diagnostic evaluation, which includes biopsy or surgical resection. Waiting would be short of the NCCN recordations.

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