Medical news

[Wolf 335]

Good luck with everything. I hope they can remove the affected area and you resume life as it was.

If you can, avoid chemo. Maybe just do localized radiation.

Lung cancer is no joke (no cancer is) however impeeded lung can start developing fluid build up that can affect breathing. My mother had this happen and she suffered a lot, but hers was stage 4.

[T0RM3NT]

I love your attitude and I think that will be huge with you beating this.

Stay strong!

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Llarry

I have posted the basics in the G80 M3 forum, but I suppose I should update my friends here in OT. I have been diagnosed with probable lung cancer. So far, I have seen a pulmonary physician, who ordered a lung function test (done yesterday) to see what kind of overall shape my lungs are in and has ordered a needle biopsy through the chest wall (could there be anything more fun? ) and a PET scan to see if there are any more hot spots anywhere.

My primary care doctor is convinced that this is stage I cancer that has not spread. The pulmonary doctor, in reviewing my CAT scan that detected the thing in the first place, says that the location -- high in the left lung -- is almost ideal for surgery if there is no spread. Radiation and chemotherapy (more fun!) are on the menu if required.

My spirits are excellent. I am ready to fight as required. At present I am slightly frustrated because I'm ready to go (put me in, coach!) but I am waiting for a call from radiology at the hospital for the biopsy and the CAT scan. I dread hearing the oft-repeated refrain "We are short-staffed and so we can't get you an appointment until XXX" but I suppose I should be optimistic.

I sort of spooked my primary care doctor on this. It was time for my annual health screening/physical and I made a pitch to her to pursue a CAT scan of my lungs. My parents both died of lung cancer in their mid/late 70s and my doctor heard a rustling sound in my lungs. The doctor agreed to the scan and then called to break the news. But her question to me was "How did you know?" I did not know, of course, but related to her that there were a large number of parallels between my father and I and that he had died at my current age of lung cancer. I am so glad she went to bat with insurance for me on the CAT scan!

I started smoking at age 18 in college and did not quit until 28 years later. But that was 30 years ago. The chances of cancer diminish considerably if you quit, but they never go to zero. When I originally broached the subject of the CAT scan, the first response was that CAT scans are generally only called for in ex-smokers who quit 15 or fewer years ago. I'm so glad I pushed and so grateful to my doctor.

And allow me to add this PSA: DON'T SMOKE! IF YOU DO, QUIT NOW!!!

Really crappy news. Your positive attitude about fighting whatever may be coming is inspiring. The fact that you quit smoking so many years ago could work in your favor.

Thanks for sharing. You are a major contributor to this forum and I for one, feel I've gotten to know you a bit through your many high-quality posts. It's good that you have let us in on your recent medical situation.

All the best to you as you get through this bumpy section of road.

[Llarry]

I got my PET scan last Friday and actually have the resultant radiologist's report, but it's written in medicalese so I need a physician to tell me what it really means. This morning, I will get my biopsy.

The only slightly disappointing part is that I don't have an appointment with the pulmonary physician until the 19th of July. I plan to call tomorrow and see if I can get in earlier; it seems like a long time to be on pins and needles wondering what is going on...

[Llarry]

I spent hours yesterday at the hospital getting my biopsy. As is typical of many procedures, it was lots of waiting around. The procedure itself was straightforward: put me in a CT scanner, locate the lung tumor, mark the skin on my chest (X marks the spot) and then the physician inserted a long needle between my ribs to get to the tumor. I was (very mildly) sedated though I could feel no sedation effect and had a local anesthetic at the spot, so felt no pain either.

Most of the idle time was waiting afterwards to make sure my lung did not deflate (think extracting a helium sample from a blown-up balloon) but everything went well. Now I wait for lab results and to see a doctor to give me the results.

I have a pretty good feeling about this.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Llarry

I have a pretty good feeling about this.

Sending a big hug your way.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by Llarry

I spent hours yesterday at the hospital getting my biopsy. As is typical of many procedures, it was lots of waiting around. The procedure itself was straightforward: put me in a CT scanner, locate the lung tumor, mark the skin on my chest (X marks the spot) and then the physician inserted a long needle between my ribs to get to the tumor. I was (very mildly) sedated though I could feel no sedation effect and had a local anesthetic at the spot, so felt no pain either.

Most of the idle time was waiting afterwards to make sure my lung did not deflate (think extracting a helium sample from a blown-up balloon) but everything went well. Now I wait for lab results and to see a doctor to give me the results.

I have a pretty good feeling about this.

Hi Larry,
Continued positive thoughts for good news to come soon! We value you as a good BMW citizen and contributor to the Airplane and Cars threads!

[floridaorange]

Larry I pray this all works out for the best!
You seem like a very strong and positive intuitive smart individual and I’ve got a great feeling all will be fine sooner than later.

Please keep us posted!

[Llarry]

Big new flash last evening -- a pathology report from the biopsy!

"Interpretation:
Left lung biopsy:
Benign hypocellular dense fibrous tissue.

Comment:
The findings are consistent with scar or pleural plaque. There is no evidence of neoplasia."

It is too early to spike the ball, I think. I still have questions for the pulmonologist: Can this tumor turn malignant? Should I go ahead and have it surgically removed? I can address those on July 19th at my scheduled appointment.

Nevertheless, I'm feeling better about the situation. Love that word "benign"!

[Car-Addicted]

That is wonderful news but keep being vigilant and proactive. Payers for you.

[kscarrol]

Great news indeed Llarry!

[PYE46M3]

Just because a PET and biopsy has been ordered doesn’t mean you are going to get diagnosed with lung cancer. Also I doubt your doctor heard anything that was indicative of lung cancer. Unless your primary knows how to read CT then I would ignore the “primary stage 1 cancer” diagnosis. The pathologist gets the last word after the biopsy. There is still hope that you don’t have cancer as you’re still in the work up stage.

[Llarry]

Among other findings of the PET scan was moderate to severe emphysema and fibroids in the lower lungs. I suspect the pulmonary doc, even if he gives me the all-clear on the cancer front, will want to discuss those findings with me on July 19th.

At our last appointment, when he brought up the fibroids, he questioned me closely about asbestos exposure. I could not figure out anything obvious, but I suppose that most of us of about my age were exposed back in the day.

[hubbahubba]

Benign!! Woohoooo!!! Very glad to hear that! Stay the course, sir!

[PYE46M3]

Originally Posted by Llarry

Among other findings of the PET scan was moderate to severe emphysema and fibroids in the lower lungs. I suspect the pulmonary doc, even if he gives me the all-clear on the cancer front, will want to discuss those findings with me on July 19th.

At our last appointment, when he brought up the fibroids, he questioned me closely about asbestos exposure. I could not figure out anything obvious, but I suppose that most of us of about my age were exposed back in the day.

You don't get fibroids in the lungs, I think you mean fibrosis which can be due to your smoking history (along with the emphysema) or due to prior asbestos exposure which you may have had because the pathologist mentioned "pleural plaques" which is basically asbestos related pleural disease (nodular pleural thickening and calcification).

What probably happened was that you when for a CT Chest, Radiologist saw pleural plaques which are thickening of the pleural due to asbestos exposure or radiologist saw bad lung scarring... both of which can look like lung cancer sometimes..... so a PET and biopsy was performed to rule out lung cancer. The good news is that you don't have lung cancer but because of your history of smoking and emphesyma, you aren't really out of the woods. You should talk to your doctor about CT Chest screening studies from here on... especially if you have asbestosis exposure history which is another risk factor for cancer. Your pulmonologist will help you with all of this.

[Maynard]

https://forum.facmedicine.com/thread...s-lungs.19964/

Face it Llarry, this doesn't even rank as an interesting medical case, these are rookie findings (thankfully). Stick to raising delinquent cats and leave the exciting stuff to these showboaters (still ticked that I couldn't find the one about the guy with a Bic pen in him for a couple decades - THOSE werre some nifty images). Glad this is working out for the best. BTW, if you are a Veteran, the VA has a lot of new programs for asbestos exposure that you should check out, even if they aren't sure that is what you have.

[zx10guy]

Hi Llarry. Sorry you're going through this. Just saw this thread and reading through it. The biopsy report sounds promising.

As to your PET scan results, you can get the radiology report before seeing your doc. Just go to the imaging department and request it. There are a ton of medical speak in these reports. Where you need to focus is in the Impression section. With the PET scan report, you want to focus on any hypermetabolic activity indicated and what the SUV is. Anything around a 3 and below is good. 3 to 5 is marginal and above 5 is indicative of hypermetabolic activity which can be cancer activity. You can also request the images be burned to a CD to keep for your own records. You will want to have this and any other scans you had done and in the future. This is in case you need to go to another practice for a second opinion. The staff there can review the scans and determine if they will need to order new ones.

My one oncologist showed me how to run the viewing software that's included with the scan images on CD. He also walked me through what he was looking at which helps me see what is abnormal/normal. Now I'm not saying I'm a radiologist with this knowledge. But it helps me be on top of things. For CT scans, it's a bit tough to pick out things. But since I have a ton of normal scans, I have a basis to compare. What radiologists will do is compare the previous scan images with the current one to look for any changes. And this is precisely what I do. I have both viewers up and run through the image slices in unison. PET scans are very easy to read. Depending on the view you select, areas of hypermetabolic activity will either be a dark spot (black) or an intense red. You can think click on these areas and the software will tell you the SUV of that area.

When I had scans done, I would purposely schedule them in the morning and consistently, the radiology report would be ready in the afternoon. I have the personality that I can't wait wondering for days or weeks for the results. I've known the results well before my oncologist would inform me of them.

Hang in there. Sounds to me that you're in good spirits which is definitely good. If you haven't seen my posts discussing my cancer history, I'm coming up on 12 years from my first cancer diagnosis of colon cancer stage 3b and 8 years from my second cancer diagnosis of appendix cancer stage 0.

Your situation is different than mine but the journey is the same. Let me know if I can help in anyway and if you just want to chat offline. You got this.

[Llarry]

I finally saw the pulmonary doctor today and he confirmed that the tumor appears to be benign. He wants to monitor it for two years just to make sure it does not grow -- if that happens, then surgery may be on the table despite the benign nature.

He wants me to get another CAT scan in October/November as a first step in the follow up. But I consider that the whole matter is now routine and that I am out of the woods.

[RickFLM4]

Great news!

[Esteban]

That's very good news, Llarry. Glad to hear.

[M_Six]

Way cool!!

[T0RM3NT]

That's awesome! Great news!