Spots/nodules on lungs

I am so sorry to hear this and I can certainly understand your fear.  It seems to me that one of the doctors your physician should be discussing these results with should be a pulmonologist.  I cannot comment on the possible connection this might have to your asthma, but I hope it's just that and nothing more sinister.  Is the week and a half delay between now and the time your doctor discusses this with his peers due to the fact that your case is being brought before the hospital's Tumor Board?  This is a common practice.  However, you should know that Tumor Boards are made up of all different kinds of specialists, some of whom probably have very little knowledge of metastasized anal cancer.  If you are like me, you have a couple of doctors following you post-treatment.  The doctor you referred to--is he your oncologist, a colorectal doctor or?  I would contact his office again and tell him it seems unreasonable to wait a week and a half to consult another doctor or doctors.  I think a 2nd. opinion would be prudent.  I will certainly be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and let us know how this all unfolds, please.

Does your area have a patient advocate or nurse care coordinater? Many areas utilize these services to give advice on what your next step should be as far as another opinion. Where I live it is not really a very successful resource but I have heard many good things in other areas. I agree, that another opinion is what I would want, or at least a speedier response from your current doctor. Can you contact the ACS for advice? My husband was just hospitalized last week for asthma related issues and after a few days sent home with a steroid! He is doing better but feels like a ticking time bomb!

I will be praying for speedy, helpful, and positive news for you.......

pem said:

Thanks everyone,

thanks for the responses ,  yes the doctor I'm referring to is my radiation oncologist.  I'm pretty sure I'm his first anal cancer patient.  As for getting a second a opinion I wouldnt even know how or where to start for something like that.  Do I get a copy of all my tests and scans and just call other clinics?  Here in Canada it takes so long to get an appointment with anyone new.  I wouldn't even know who to call or where to go.  But as for it possible being mets to the lungs isn't all mets for any cancer the same?  Is there a special doctor for anal cancer mets.  Or do I just see a lung cancer doctor now?  I'm freaking out!!  Help me!!!   Pem

 

If you secure an appt. for a second opinion, you will definitely need to take with you all scans, labs, etc.  You will save yourself some time and will not have to repeat any tests you've already had.  It may sound bold, but you could ask your rad onc what kind of specialist would be best to offer a second opinion.  I would phrase the question this way--"If you were in my shoes and wanted to get a second opinion, who would you go to."  See how he responds. 

As for all mets being the same, I would say this is probably not true.  The type of cancer cells can be different (small cell or non-small cell) and mets to the lungs can be located in different areas of the lungs.  Sometimes, a lobe resection can be done, but it just depends on where the cancer is located.

If you have an internist or PCP, perhaps they can also offer some guidance.  I wish you all the very best and hope you'll keep us posted. 

Marynb said:

Sandy
Hi. When you say spots, what do you mean? I am wondering how they know mine has to come out? Did the pulmonologist explain what the difference is on a scan?

But I was demanding answers this last visit. He was good natured about it and said he was only concerned about the single lymph node lit up on the scan as he did not remember it from previous scans. He said he had seen the left lung spot before even though it was not on the report and even though "three times it's size" was a concern for me, he said not to worry. I think, though that he tests me in other ways, like he tests my breathing and I was really sick and then I got better, and it would be likely that if they took the Cscan again, the inflammation would have gone back down again. I think he can tell a lot with the computer he uses to test my breathing every four months what my lungs are doing. He doesn't really know what is wrong with them but they aren't well due to lifelong inflammation issues. He keeps running blood tests, etc. He says "I'm calling this asthma" even when I had Pertussis (whooping cough last year). . . he missed the call on that one. I am relieved he doesn't want to do an invasive biopsy procedure.

All the best,

Sandy