Lungs..

backachedp
backachedp Member Posts: 132
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I know I have read on here that some people have had thier PET Scan come back with a spot or spots on the Lung/s...Bob had this happen in the beggining and they could not do anything as when they put his Port in and his Tube he ended up in ICU for a few day's due to his swelling in his throat. They did not Biopsy the small spot's. From what I remember there were people who had spots on the lung/s and the Dr's just watched them and alot of the time it was nothing..can anyone address this with me as i had told Bob about people on here having the same issue. His spots were small, but they now are talking about a chest Xray cause he can't have his PET for a few more month's. He spoke with the Dr yesterday and asked could he go Snowmobiling this weekend and she said yes, if he feels up to it..well I think it was wishful thinking as he no longer want's to go. I did not think he was strong enough YET but if he wanted to go more power to him. Any input on the Lung issue would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks...
Deb:)

Comments

  • Landranger25
    Landranger25 Member Posts: 210 Member
    #2
    Hi Deb, can't help you with
    Hi Deb, can't help you with the spots but I know how Bob might feel about his stamina. I thought I was doing really well eating again and had gained 10 pounds back or so. This was maybe a month from my last treatment. I went to hockey practice with my 11 year old and about 20 minutes into the practice my legs were shaking real bad. Kind of like the weakness you have after you've been layed out with the flu for 3 days. (I wasn't even hardly skating hard or anything) Took maybe 2 weeks before I felt good for the whole hour. Also tackled some odd jobs at home I thought would be a breeze but was very fatigued in a short time. I know I need to push a little, just not over do it. Pushing it is how we get stronger. It's 4 months now, I have not quite gained back 20 pounds but I do feel stronger. I know I'm a work in progress. Bob is too. Good luck.

    Mike
  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #3
    Lungs
    This isn't cancer treatment related but my wife has had two spots on her lungs for at least the past thirteen years and it is not cancer. I don't know if this is normal for some or not. They actually think hers is related to, I'm very serious, being exposed to bird droppings at some time in the past.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #4
    spots on the lung
    Spots on the lung are not abnormal, Deb, especially for those of us who have smoked or worked in a nasty environment. Bob's scarring could be the result of smoking, or bronchitis, or pneumonia, or even a by-product of radiation, to name but a few possibilities.

    And, yes, it is typical for doctors to allow time to pass between scans, so that they can compare the pictures to see if any of the 'spots' have grown. Without doing biopsies, this is the best way I am aware of (and I am not a medical professional) for establishing growth versus scarring.

    And, no, it is not unusual for doctors NOT to do biopsies every time they see a shadow or spot on a lung. Imagine the physical and psychic trauma we would go through if every time these guys and gals saw a spot on our lungs they took us in and cut us open!

    Not a good idea.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #5
    soccerfreaks said:

    spots on the lung
    Spots on the lung are not abnormal, Deb, especially for those of us who have smoked or worked in a nasty environment. Bob's scarring could be the result of smoking, or bronchitis, or pneumonia, or even a by-product of radiation, to name but a few possibilities.

    And, yes, it is typical for doctors to allow time to pass between scans, so that they can compare the pictures to see if any of the 'spots' have grown. Without doing biopsies, this is the best way I am aware of (and I am not a medical professional) for establishing growth versus scarring.

    And, no, it is not unusual for doctors NOT to do biopsies every time they see a shadow or spot on a lung. Imagine the physical and psychic trauma we would go through if every time these guys and gals saw a spot on our lungs they took us in and cut us open!

    Not a good idea.

    Take care,

    Joe

    I have four spots
    Oh the dreaded lung spots. Lets call them nodules as the radiologist do. First and foremost they can be cancer. I agonize over that every day. Conversly there are at least a dozen other reasons why we have lung spots. The main reason in the Ohio valley and the Midwest is histoplamosis which is "Bird droppings" more likey bat guano. TB can and will cause them also. Aspirating food during treatment can cause them and you might be unaware of it. Our incidence for them being cancer is higher as is a history of smoking. A study of appx. 1000 smokers showed that 23% had 1-6 lung nodules. Pretty significant. Don't waste your time with Xrays as they normally can't get down under 5mm. Pet scans normally can't get below 9mm. The standard practice is to watch them every three months for two years. A significant increase in size and they are classified indeterminate and are now eligible for biopsy depending on size and location. This can be done thoracically or through a procedure called VATS which is less invasive. It is imperative that you keep up the CT scans. The radiologist report will describe weather or not they classify them as stable or likely metastic or likely benign. Be careful what you ask for here as it gets confusing depending on the consistency of individual radiologist. Read my post "Too much information" Incidently watching them does not make a bit of difference in long term outcome thus you have nothing but sleep to lose. I truelly empathize with your situation and please feel free to PM me if you have any further concerns. Whatever you do make sure you have a clear baseline from this point forward as to how many, where they are, and size, as well as charecteristics. A pulmonary specialist is the next stop if required.

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