Scar Tissue on Lungs

ldot123
ldot123 Member Posts: 272
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello all,

Got my CT results on Monday. Everything was good except for a couple small spots on lungs. These were very small, about 2 mm. The onc. says he is not worried but ordered a CT scan in three months to see if anything changes. I have read it is not uncommon for people to have scar tissue on the lungs for any number of reasons. I had radiation 20 years ago for Hodgkins so that could explain it. I also tend to develop bronchitis when I get a cold so who knows. I would love to hear back from anyone else that has experienced anything similar where it turned out to be nothing to worry about. Like I said, the doctor was pleased with the bloodwork and everything else, but it is difficult not to worry. It is my nature to obsess about such things. I wish it wasn't so but there you have it.

Comments

  • Joy1216
    Joy1216 Member Posts: 290 Member
    #2
    Granulomas
    When I had my pre-surgery CT scan, they found some large spots on my lungs. I was scared to death. My family doctor said that granulomas were smooth like a grape and were not cancerous and that the shape of the spots would be like irregular like broccoli if the colon cancer had spread. She didn't think the spots were anything to worry about. She was right! I had a CT scan of my lungs a couple of days later. Turned out to be granulomas, probably caused by scar tissue from allergies, bronchitis, and pneumonia. After surgery, they determined that I was stage 1. My allergist was not worried about the spots either; she checks my lung function annually and there's no problem with it. Turn this worry over to God. I'll be praying for good results from your next scan.
    Joy
  • ldot123
    ldot123 Member Posts: 272
    #3
    Joy1216 said:

    Granulomas
    When I had my pre-surgery CT scan, they found some large spots on my lungs. I was scared to death. My family doctor said that granulomas were smooth like a grape and were not cancerous and that the shape of the spots would be like irregular like broccoli if the colon cancer had spread. She didn't think the spots were anything to worry about. She was right! I had a CT scan of my lungs a couple of days later. Turned out to be granulomas, probably caused by scar tissue from allergies, bronchitis, and pneumonia. After surgery, they determined that I was stage 1. My allergist was not worried about the spots either; she checks my lung function annually and there's no problem with it. Turn this worry over to God. I'll be praying for good results from your next scan.
    Joy

    Thanks Joy
    Joy is a wonderful name and goes with the season. I will do as you suggest and turn this worry to God. Thank you for your post and have a wonderful holiday season.

    Lance
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #4
    I have had three solitary
    I have had three solitary lung mets. So, unfortunately my spots did turn out to be mets, and not "nothing". BUT, in my extensive (obsessive!) research and reading I learned that it is very common for people to have all sorts of spots and lesions in their lungs which are totally benign. Scar tissue or whatever. Since "normal people" don't have CT scans, etc (or even chest xrays), this is a hardly known fact. SO -- here's hoping yours are in that "nothing" category. A follow-up CT scan in 3 mos is what my doc ordered -- so it sounds like you are in excellent hands.

    Good luck and best wishes,
    Tara
  • ldot123
    ldot123 Member Posts: 272
    #5
    taraHK said:

    I have had three solitary
    I have had three solitary lung mets. So, unfortunately my spots did turn out to be mets, and not "nothing". BUT, in my extensive (obsessive!) research and reading I learned that it is very common for people to have all sorts of spots and lesions in their lungs which are totally benign. Scar tissue or whatever. Since "normal people" don't have CT scans, etc (or even chest xrays), this is a hardly known fact. SO -- here's hoping yours are in that "nothing" category. A follow-up CT scan in 3 mos is what my doc ordered -- so it sounds like you are in excellent hands.

    Good luck and best wishes,
    Tara

    Thanks Tara
    Hi Tara,

    Thanks for the info. I have done some "obsseive" checking as well and it does look like that it is not unusal to have spots on the lungs that are nothing. I have to resign myself to that the fact that it is a wait and see game and will be for the next few years as they continue to monitoe things. It is hard sometimes and annoying. How are they dealing with your mets - surgery, chemo, both. Just curious. In the meantime have a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year. I wish you all the best.

    Lance
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #6
    ldot123 said:

    Thanks Tara
    Hi Tara,

    Thanks for the info. I have done some "obsseive" checking as well and it does look like that it is not unusal to have spots on the lungs that are nothing. I have to resign myself to that the fact that it is a wait and see game and will be for the next few years as they continue to monitoe things. It is hard sometimes and annoying. How are they dealing with your mets - surgery, chemo, both. Just curious. In the meantime have a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year. I wish you all the best.

    Lance

    my tx
    You asked how they have dealt with my mets. I have had three recurrences -- each time it was a solitary lung met (about 18 months apart each time). I was lucky in that every time they were treatable with surgery. So, each time I had surgery, followed by chemo.

    When having lung surgery, if at all possible they will try to do a wedge resection rather than remove a whole lobe. But of course it depends exactly where the lesion is, they need to get good margins, etc. I had two wedge resections and one lobectomy (removal of one whole lobe -- my darn lesion was spank in the middle of the lobe and in order to get good margins it was best to take the whole lobe). Also, if possible they will try to do VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery -- it's like laparoscopy [sp?]), rather than open surgery. Again, depends on location of the lesion, etc. I had that twice -- it does mean an easier recovery.

    I want to tell you that even after removal of one lobe and two wedges, my lung function is good -- I like to go hiking, including hills, and I can do so just fine.

    Whether or not to have chemo afterwards is a little controversial -- I do know people (on this board) who have not. My oncologist and I decided to go for the more aggressive option. As I've said before, I have coped with the chemo pretty well -- I've been very lucky in that regard.

    Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions about "lung stuff". And in the meanwhile, sending all good wishes your way.

    Love,
    Tara
  • ldot123
    ldot123 Member Posts: 272
    #7
    taraHK said:

    my tx
    You asked how they have dealt with my mets. I have had three recurrences -- each time it was a solitary lung met (about 18 months apart each time). I was lucky in that every time they were treatable with surgery. So, each time I had surgery, followed by chemo.

    When having lung surgery, if at all possible they will try to do a wedge resection rather than remove a whole lobe. But of course it depends exactly where the lesion is, they need to get good margins, etc. I had two wedge resections and one lobectomy (removal of one whole lobe -- my darn lesion was spank in the middle of the lobe and in order to get good margins it was best to take the whole lobe). Also, if possible they will try to do VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery -- it's like laparoscopy [sp?]), rather than open surgery. Again, depends on location of the lesion, etc. I had that twice -- it does mean an easier recovery.

    I want to tell you that even after removal of one lobe and two wedges, my lung function is good -- I like to go hiking, including hills, and I can do so just fine.

    Whether or not to have chemo afterwards is a little controversial -- I do know people (on this board) who have not. My oncologist and I decided to go for the more aggressive option. As I've said before, I have coped with the chemo pretty well -- I've been very lucky in that regard.

    Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions about "lung stuff". And in the meanwhile, sending all good wishes your way.

    Love,
    Tara

    Thanks Tara
    Did you experience any symptoms when these spots appeared. Just wondering.

    Cheers, Lance
  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    #8
    I have a nodule as well
    I have a small 6 mm nodule that showed up on the first CT scan in June 2007. I've had three or four CT Scans since (latest 12/08) and the nodule has not changed at all, even with 6 months FOLFOX. My onc says it's not cancer and that it's pretty common. Who knows, I too had bronchitis a lot as a kid, maybe that's it. I also had lots of radiation as a child for kidney issues, but on the opposite side. Hopefully your nodules will turn out the same. Thinking positive thoughts for you, Traci
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #9
    ldot123 said:

    Thanks Tara
    Did you experience any symptoms when these spots appeared. Just wondering.

    Cheers, Lance

    No symptoms
    No symptoms at all. I was exercising regularly and in "great health" (other than the cancer ha ha). No coughing, no shortness of breath, nothing. My understanding is that a lesion in the lung has to get quite huge before it is symptomatic (coughing, shortness of breath).

    Tara
  • mykidsmommy
    mykidsmommy Member Posts: 76
    #10
    My Little Lung Lump
    Well, I am going through this same thing so I thought I would share. Tara - you were very helpful to me as well, and I thank you.
    At my one year post chemo check we saw a teeny tiny lump - we watched and checked it gain in December and it has indeed grown a tiny bit - it is still considered very small, but it is there. SO Tuesday I go in for the RFA treatment. I feel good about it. I know now, that I may not get a total clean bill of health post chemo -and get my five year free pass without a little work still to do. So I am starting to "manage" this colon cancer thing, and I will do whatever to get er'done! I am so grateful that we are only talking about ONE little nodule and not 16! Right? It could be worse!
    Just so you no IDOT, instead os doing a biopsy and then a treatment, I am having the biopsy done and the RFA done at the same time. There is a chance that they will biopsy some cells and say it is not cancer, but I am not holding my breath. As long at it is small and they can zap it, I am fine with that.
    I know just hearing the words " they found some lumps on your scan" can throw you for a loop, but have hope, you have made it his far, and although there is a little more work to do, you can do it, and stay on top of this stuff. That's what we are all doing right???
    Blessing and best wishes -
    Mommy
  • mykidsmommy
    mykidsmommy Member Posts: 76
    #11
    My Little Lung Lump
    Well, I am going through this same thing so I thought I would share. Tara - you were very helpful to me as well, and I thank you.
    At my one year post chemo check we saw a teeny tiny lump - we watched and checked it gain in December and it has indeed grown a tiny bit - it is still considered very small, but it is there. SO Tuesday I go in for the RFA treatment. I feel good about it. I know now, that I may not get a total clean bill of health post chemo -and get my five year free pass without a little work still to do. So I am starting to "manage" this colon cancer thing, and I will do whatever to get er'done! I am so grateful that we are only talking about ONE little nodule and not 16! Right? It could be worse!
    Just so you no IDOT, instead os doing a biopsy and then a treatment, I am having the biopsy done and the RFA done at the same time. There is a chance that they will biopsy some cells and say it is not cancer, but I am not holding my breath. As long at it is small and they can zap it, I am fine with that.
    I know just hearing the words " they found some lumps on your scan" can throw you for a loop, but have hope, you have made it his far, and although there is a little more work to do, you can do it, and stay on top of this stuff. That's what we are all doing right???
    Blessing and best wishes -
    Mommy
  • changing2
    changing2 Member Posts: 118
    #12
    Same here:)
    I too had 2 nodules and some scarring on the lungs. MD thought it may be related to all the chemo I've had and ordered a repeat 3 months later. Results: no change, no sign of malignancy!!! Pray the same for you too!
  • ldot123
    ldot123 Member Posts: 272
    #13
    Thanks all
    Thank you for all of your comments. It really helps to hear other perspectives.

    Cheers,
    Lance
  • trainer
    trainer Member Posts: 241
    #14
    lung spots
    I, too, had a couple of small spots in one lung show up in a PETSCAN. The doc wasn't that concerned, but he did have a repeat ordered for later. As he thought, the spots were scar tissue from a serious bout of pneumonia nearly 20 years earlier.
  • fredgilberts100
    fredgilberts100 Member Posts: 1
    #15
    IPF TREATMENT

    A CT scan in August of 2009 verified that I had Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. My first symptoms were cough and shortness of breath. I was on prednisone and inhalers. My blood oxygen level was 50 and i was extremely short of breath, i was barely able to breath. I went through cardio pulmonary rehab, It helped but not too long before all the severe symptoms returned. December last year, a family friend told us about Rich Herbs Foundation and their successful lungs disease treatments, we visited their website ww w. richherbsfoundation. c om and ordered their IPF herbal treatment, i am happy to report this treatment effectively reversed my Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and symptoms. I am back on my feet, i walk daily now and has made me able to walk my two dogs again without shortness of breath or sudden loss of energy. My activity level is up again. 

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