2.7 mm nodule on lung on Friday's CT-scan. Don't worry??

lindaprocopio
lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
My prior 2 CT-scans have been NED, and my CA-125 has dropped steadily down to 11 during my 6 rounds of carbo/taxel chemo that ended March 26th. Today I learned that a tiny 2.7 mm (millimeter!) nodule was noted on the CT-scan I had on Friday. My radiation oncologist actually seemd angry that this was noted in my CT-scan, and made a point of showing me the slides and how the tiny mark was exactly like all the other tiny marks elsewhere on my lung scan. He said this was a 'CYA' (cover your as$) note, and he hated these type of premature 'notes' on scans because they worry patients and yet are too tiny to warrant a PET-scan or any other action. In 3 months when I get my next routine CT-scan, he'll probably look closer at that area (he didn't say that; I'm guessing), but he said that this is so very likely absolutely nothing. But of course, it will stay in the back of my mind for the next 3 months.

I post this here, even though I have UPSC Stage 3c instead of OVC, because UPSC is as aggressive and recurrent as OVC. And so many of you have such extensive experience. Have you ever had anything that tiny noted on a CT-scan? And did anyone ever have it turn out to be nothing?

I have my radiation simulation this Thursday and will be starting 5 1/2 weeks of pelvic radiation in 2 or 3 weeks once my platelets get up to a safe level again. But pelvic radiation won't help a nodule on my lung if it is there! Thanks for any experiences you might share!

Comments

  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #2
    ????
    I was told that a CT scan would not show any tumor less than ½ cm. Maybe it is different machines...
    Bummer to have to worry about that small remark for three months. I pray your radiation goes easy for you. Take care. (((HUGS & PRAYERS))) Saundra
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #3
    Have had them
    Dear Linda, I have had such notes about mm spots, but am told they could be lesions and not cancer. Or even shadows from something. I think what the radiation person said about someone covering there butt or maybe over reading the scan may be true. Just an FYI for you ~ the one in my lung has never ever changed.

    Hugs N Prayers Bonnie
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #4
    BonnieR said:

    Have had them
    Dear Linda, I have had such notes about mm spots, but am told they could be lesions and not cancer. Or even shadows from something. I think what the radiation person said about someone covering there butt or maybe over reading the scan may be true. Just an FYI for you ~ the one in my lung has never ever changed.

    Hugs N Prayers Bonnie

    Thank you for that reassurance, Bonnie!
    The thing is, a CT scan can't really show anything smaller than 1 centimeter, which is why my radiation oncologist was a bit angry that they would even flag something as small as 2.7 mm. He said that noting something like that on a CT-scan just worried a patient (so true!) and is something an oncologist has no way of confirming (too small to warrant a PET-scan; way too small to find surgically). It only 'appeared' on 1 slide, it is that small, and he showed me a bunch of slides where other normal marks looked just as big and just the same, and said that I should totally put this out of my mind, that he believes this is nothing and a 'CYA' (Cover Your As$) in case something shows up later and they can say they flagged it.

    I try to believe him that this is nothing. But it does kind of ruin the long happy 3-month "dance with NED" I was hoping to enjoy until my next CT-scan in July. It will be harder to have them radiating my pelvis and vagina over the next 2 months, wishing I were back in chemo attacking that probably-non-existant nodule in my lung. (The radiation is a part of my "initial attck" on my cancer and not because they have seen anything there to be going after). I may have to call my chemo oncologist to talk about this and then hopefully I can really not worry.
  • green50
    green50 Member Posts: 312
    #5
    lindaprocopio said:

    Thank you for that reassurance, Bonnie!
    The thing is, a CT scan can't really show anything smaller than 1 centimeter, which is why my radiation oncologist was a bit angry that they would even flag something as small as 2.7 mm. He said that noting something like that on a CT-scan just worried a patient (so true!) and is something an oncologist has no way of confirming (too small to warrant a PET-scan; way too small to find surgically). It only 'appeared' on 1 slide, it is that small, and he showed me a bunch of slides where other normal marks looked just as big and just the same, and said that I should totally put this out of my mind, that he believes this is nothing and a 'CYA' (Cover Your As$) in case something shows up later and they can say they flagged it.

    I try to believe him that this is nothing. But it does kind of ruin the long happy 3-month "dance with NED" I was hoping to enjoy until my next CT-scan in July. It will be harder to have them radiating my pelvis and vagina over the next 2 months, wishing I were back in chemo attacking that probably-non-existant nodule in my lung. (The radiation is a part of my "initial attck" on my cancer and not because they have seen anything there to be going after). I may have to call my chemo oncologist to talk about this and then hopefully I can really not worry.

    Sounds Like No Worries
    Linda sounds like your doing good and like Bonnie I bet you have no worries. Let us know how everything goes on radiation etc.
    Prayers and Hugs and Always
    Sandy
  • ladyjogger31
    ladyjogger31 Member Posts: 289
    #6
    Don't Worry
    Hi Linda, Please don't worry it could be just a nodule. I have friends whose ct csans show them up , they don't grow and there not cancerous. Good luck on your radiaition. Your in my prayers.
    "Approach life with love not fear"
    Hugs and Prayers, Terry
  • softD
    softD Member Posts: 69
    #7
    ladyjogger31 said:

    Don't Worry
    Hi Linda, Please don't worry it could be just a nodule. I have friends whose ct csans show them up , they don't grow and there not cancerous. Good luck on your radiaition. Your in my prayers.
    "Approach life with love not fear"
    Hugs and Prayers, Terry

    Please don't worry
    Hey Linda,
    I hope with all my heart it will turn out to be nothing sinister,but it is sooo hard not to worry isn't it? It doesn't take much for us to grab hold of any (however small) detail, and our minds work overtime with worry. In our circumstances I think that worry is a perfectly normal 'side effect' of having cancer!!
    I hope and pray for you that this will all turn out to be nothing to worry about, and you will continue to do well. You have such great spirit Linda, and always offer so much comfort and support to others...it can only come back to you in bucketloads!
    All the best, take care...luv Carolyn :) xxxx
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #8
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #9
    picture
    Linda,
    I see you have your picture back, now no one will be confused. I had my CT scan today, chest xrays, and mammogram. Will know results next week.

    Got results of blood work yesterday. CA125 is 6.1 and finally white count 3.3! Praise the Lord!

    That is my sister who is also BRACA 2 positive with me.

    Love & hugs,
    Libby
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #10
    LPack said:

    picture
    Linda,
    I see you have your picture back, now no one will be confused. I had my CT scan today, chest xrays, and mammogram. Will know results next week.

    Got results of blood work yesterday. CA125 is 6.1 and finally white count 3.3! Praise the Lord!

    That is my sister who is also BRACA 2 positive with me.

    Love & hugs,
    Libby

    Answered Prayer for Libby!!!
    That is simply really good news on the blood work, Libby. Thank you for giving us all a lift. I'm praying the rest of the test are just as good. One step at a time, egh? Let us know.
    ✞ Saundra
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #11
    I forgot to mention....
    Linda, I had three tumors burned out of my liver by RFA when I had the major debulking surgery. The first CT scan came back with the report that they were still there and a little larger. I was hopeless as the surgeon that did the RFA had said they were completely gone. I had to live with that news over a weekend. Then God started telling me through other people that there was a mistake. My daughter, a biomedical engr. that installed and repaired CT scanners, told me that CT's could not distinguish between solid tumors and hole of fluid. The news kept coming in until Mon. when I called the oncologist and had him go back to the radiologist and tell them about the RFA on the liver. Sure enough, they rewrote the report. RFA leaves a hole in the liver that fills with fluid.. I am careful to tell the radiologist that I have had RFA on the liver now when I have a CT scan, as well as missing appendix, spleen, and all female organs. Look at a ruler and see how small a mm is. Could be a glitch on the film...great big negative if you haven't seen one. Saundra

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