pleural base nodule

Hi,

I am new to learning about lung related terms as I am currently being treated for a recurrance of anal cancer in my lung, so yes, this is considered a met.

It is my understanding that a pleural based nodule means in the lining of the lung vs within the lung itself.

My mass was very large 3.5cm when found on a follow-up scan 4 yrs post treatment, in the lower left lobe.

I was told that it is standard practice that a watch and wait approach is usually taken on anything "smaller" than a cm in the lung, and is often a result of a prior infection and non-cancerous.  I am not sure of the lining or chest wall but would guess the same.

I had a thorocotomy (removed my entire lower left lobe), as mine was large, and am following with chemo.

I will keep you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers as you move forward in hope, peace, and health.

katheryn

knolltop said:

Martha and Katheryn

Thank You Martha and Katheryn

I guess I'm being hit with the emotional anxiety that comes with cancer.    Being 5 years out since  first diagnoise with AC...every little spot brings on a bit of the possiblity of the dreaded return.    This coming month will be very busy for me...with John and trip.    I will focus on those things that need to be completed.    Three months will go by fast...I'm hoping anyway.   

Pulmonologist may shed a better, more calming light on the matter.    He always looks at the scan with me.    It is still small.  

Katheryn so glad the nodule was removed.    Are you still going through chemo now or are the treatments completed.   I'm assuming the nodule was from Anal cancer that MET to lung.    What waa the chemo that you were treated with for the lung nodule.

Peace and Blessings to all.  

tory

 

Hi,

Since my mass was the size it was it is no longer considered a "nodule" but a mass, and yes, it was an anal cancer met. It was contained in the lower left lobe (the left lung has 2 lobes, the right lung has 3 lobes) and margins were clear after removing the lower lobe. I am currently receiving 5FU/cisplatin, (the same drugs I was previously treated with 4 years ago) but at a different dose and schedule. My treatment will run for 3-4 months and is considered adjuvent, as a means to catch any unseen rogue cells. Unfortunately my next cycle will run right through Easter weekend and based on my last one I will not be moving far from my lounge chair as I felt pretty miserable! Hopefully I will rebound quickly though which was also the case last time!

The emotional anxiety that goes hand in hand with cancer is something that surgery, chemo, radiation cannot help.....in fact it probably gives it its strength! I try to do what is in my ability to do myself and turn the rest over to the most capable hands of God. I have that quote "His ways are not our ways" in my head when faced with situations I can't make sense of and that helps. (remind me of this over Easter when I feel awful, lol)

I'm hoping your appointment with the pulmonologist leaves you feeling reassured of your health!

katheryn

Hello Tory:

I was successfully treated for anal cancer in the spring of 2013. In July my 6-month PETscan revealed very small spots in the lining or chest wall of my left lung. My oncology team had mixed advice: let's wait a while or let's find out what it is.  My surgeon wanted to find out what it was -- although he would not have been worried if I had not just had anal cancer. They tried a needle biopsy, but despite an excruciating procedure during which I nearly broke the nurse's hand, they couldn't land on the spot. So I had a VATS: video-assisted thoracic surgery, which revealed something that resembled a bit of mildew -- not a tumour. Afterwards I developed pleural effusion (aka fluid on the lung) and had to have it drained...yuk. But no cancer!

Then, in April 2014, the PETscan showed a very bright mass in the middle of my right lung and some brightly shining lymph nodes. Yikes! Despair. I went to The Brigham and had another VATS. This time they found some sort of infection, which put me under the control of the Mass Department of Health until they could say whether or not it was TB. Everyone appeared in a mask until the blessed day when they all came in grinning, mask free. It was the mildest form of infection and did not require treatment.

The 2-year PETscan last month was clean as a whistle. I told my dear surgeon that if they had found anything on my lung we would not have gone in again. He said he had been thinking exactly the same thing; but, he reminded me, there is always Wolf! Wolf! to remember...!

It does sound as if your spot is just a little smudge of infection –– or maybe a hairball, as my daughter said -- and that your wise docs are right to watch and wait. I wish you the best of luck. Let me know how it all proceeds.