I smoked for 30 years but quit 5 years ago, and thought this scan was a good idea. Now, I'm scared and they told me it would be a good idea to wait three months and do a scan with dye and see if "the spot" is bigger. I don't feel good about this, I want to know much sooner what it is and what I can do about it. I realize one centimeter is not that big, but it's much bigger than I want in my lung. Thanks in advance....
2007-03-18 15:04:32 · 13 answers · asked by packerjan@sbcglobal.net 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
I think you should see a pulmonologist, a specialist in lung disease. They address this exact issue all the time, and taking a detailed history from you will help the doctor determine the likelihood of it being lung cancer.
Depending upon its location, it may be amenable to biopsy. However, going to a lung specialist is the first step because for each person it may be best to repeat the CT, to get a biopsy, a PET scan or be referred directly to a surgeon.
I wish you the best, and keep your hopes up as it could be some other condition but also there is are treatable, curable approaches to treatment available if in fact this spot turns out to be cancer.
2007-03-20 22:08:20 · answer #1 · answered by subatomicdoc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did the same thing and when I quit smoking, I paid to have a CT scan done. It also found a tumor or spot in my lung. My doctor sent me right away for a lung biopsy under CT and while it was difficult and resulted in a week long hospitalization, they found it was cancer...three weeks later, I had surgery and they removed my right upper lobe....it has been 4 years and no recurrence...I would immediately get a second opinion...finding it early is half the battle...get yourself really healthy now so if you need surgery you will have an easier recovery....I am also a nurse.....if you want to discuss more, then email me....good luck, my thoughts and prayers are with you....
2007-03-19 08:31:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you've got a 1 cm spot on your lung, waiting 3 months is the sensible way to go. Did they have any old chest xrays to look at? (The spot could have been there forever.) Then, depending on the location of the spot, your doctor may be able to do a bronchoscopy--slide a scope down your throat into your lung and obtain a specimen for biopsy. This is an uncomfortable procedure that won't be necessary if the spot doesn't get any larger. It's probably just an old scar. Good luck to you.
2007-03-18 22:18:37 · answer #3 · answered by KIZIAH 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand your concerns.. its tough knowing there is a "stranger"/ invading of sorts inside you uninvited that may change your life or diminish it..
keep informed, talk to your doctor, ask questions.. and relax.. i know that last part sounds nuts. but, stress does affect health.
ask yourself. if you knew you were dieing would you do life different? and live true to your answer.. Mine is Yes and i am.. Oh, i cried pretty good at first , then prayed , then a peace came. I actually thought i had a heart attack, that diagnosis i could have dealt with, i was psyched up for it in ER, but not this ,so i know it is a shock to hear.
i will have waited 4 months by the time of my second cat scan.. I'll pray for you... I know too you may feel a little let down and betrayed because you gave up smoking and now this.. Why it happens , none of us know.. My father died of lung cancer the day after Christmas years ago, and my father in law . they smoked i never did.. One day at a time.. that's all any of us really have. Makes one appreciate life more, see the little things , do the big things for others when you know that...
2007-03-19 01:12:01 · answer #4 · answered by miladyfaire 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can find information/statistics by googling "solitary lung nodule" and then going only on reputable sites such as Mayo Clinic, NIH, or other major university web site.
It is pretty standard to follow up with a scan. Again, there is a certain appearance on CT that is more "suggestive" of cancer, and if your spot was particularly scary, they probably would have gone right ahead to biopsy it immediately. I'm guessing the radiologist felt it was a low risk nodule, possibly a healed scar or something. If you are still worried, and you probably are or you wouldn't be asking this....specifically ask your doctor about his/her interpretation of the ct scan, get the report, and ask specific questions. DON'T simply stress about it for 3 months, you will be miserable. If you are not satisfied, ask for 2nd opinion.
2007-03-18 22:13:37 · answer #5 · answered by greengo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that you are very lucky. Most of the time, when a person is diagnosed with lung cancer, it is far too late to do anything. You have apparently caught this very early, if there's only one spot and it's only 1cm in size. It sounds to me like the scan is the best favor you ever did for yourself.
Do not wait for it to "grow"; if your doctor suspects cancer, then go to an oncologist NOW. The sooner you deal with this, the better your chances of survival.
Gear up to fight now; get yourself ready for it mentally and emotionally; it CAN be fought, and it CAN be won! Good luck!
2007-03-18 22:17:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
I smoked for 35 years and quit for four years. I had some spots on my lungs and got so nervrous that I started again for a year now. I too have to quit again!
I lost my husband of 26 years to lung cancer, six years ago.
You sould have some real concerns about the spot. My mother had a spot on her lung fifteen years ago it was cancer, oat cell. They removed part of her lung and she is all clear. Please go to a different doctor for another opion. One centimeter is a big deal if it cancer.If it is cancer they might be able to remove it and give you chemo and get rid of the nasty stuff. Please don't let it go. It could mean life or death.
I wish you the best of luck....
Take care
Amos
2007-03-19 13:19:31 · answer #7 · answered by Amy A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i too have a spot on my lung much larger then that but it is not cancer it is from a very bad accident in which i collapsed my lungs . on the other hand you certainly should both pray and follow up with the doctor about this .
toss the smokes away now smoking time is over.
2007-03-18 22:27:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too would be worried and would consider going to a pulmonary doc right away for further testing now. It is too early to say what the spot might be since all you had was one scan but yes If it was me I would be getting it checked now.
2007-03-18 22:10:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have the same thing and have had it for years. Because it never got bigger, the Doc thinks that I have been in contact with some who had TB. I never had the illness, but this is what I was told.
2007-03-18 22:21:35 · answer #10 · answered by poopski 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋