Two years after husband finished treatment, he has to go for a PET scan tomorrow

[u/readysteadyblock]

Hi, it's been a while since I posted but my husband had his three monthly scan 6 weeks ago . It showed two nodules measuring 5mm and 8mm on his lung. Our oncologist said they're too small to biopsy so we've been waiting for an appointment fir a PET scan which is tomorrow. She said the scan before the last one he had, there were two other smaller nodules which have disappeared on the latest one. These are new and bigger ones. His initial tumour was in chest wall aftera diagnoses of CIC Rearranged Sarcoma, (Cic Dux IV). Treatment was 14 rounds of vdc/ie chemo, and part of his chest wall removed along with two ribs and lung wedge. Trying to get our heads into the space again if it has returned. I don't know if harmless lung nodules are common or uncommon, I'm afraid to look. I thought mentally I'd be stronger for him this time around but I'm just constantly crying. He's stressed and snappy understandably.

[u/carbonthepolarbear]

I've had some benign lung nodules pop up and remain the same. They usually happen after a cold or some other inflammation.

[u/jay-aay-ess-ohh-enn]

Lung nodules are common. I have had two that are around 3 mm that have showed up on my last two CT scans. My oncologist said to basically ignore them.

From what I remember, 8 mm is the size where the doctors start to pay attention, but other characteristics of the nodules influence the risk calculation. This one might still be low risk for cancer. I think you just have to trust your doctors and go through the protocol. I know it is easier to say than to do, but try not to stress about it until you've confirmed that it is something to worry about.

This is the double edged sword of better imaging. We detect lots of things going on in the body that aren't necessarily dangerous and then have to make hard decisions about further evaluations or treatments without a complete picture. It is also anxiety inducing, especially for people already traumatized by prior treatments.

I hope you get good news about this.

[u/ensucre]

Lung nodules are super common. Asthma, autoimmune disease, recent illness, and inflammation can all cause them. I’ve had lung nodules since my diagnosis in 2018, and while I’ve had some that are larger and were concerning at some points, they’ve remained overall stable without the need for biopsy.

I totally understand why you’re worried though, and am thinking good thoughts for you both.

[u/zippyboy]

When my sarcoma in my leg was diagnosed a few months ago, they gave me a CT scan to see if it had metastasized to my lungs. CT scan showed "indeterminate number of hard nodules measuring up to 8 mm". I thought that was alarming, but every oncologist has told me that's totally normal. We breathe in microplastics and air pollution our whole lives and it's nothing to worry about until it gets to 1 cm.

[u/readysteadyblock]

Update. The PET scan shows activity in the lung nodules which measure 5mm and 10mm. They are both in his bad lung which was partly removed during his surgery, so he must have the lung function test to see if he can have them removed or else radiation.

[u/Due-Song-9918]

Hi, can I confirm if the initial diagnose - CIC DUX IV was removed after the 14 rounds of VDX/IE chemo? My Fiance diagnosed CIC FOXO4 and he is undergoing the same treatment.

[u/readysteadyblock → u/Due-Song-9918]

Hi there. Sorry only replying now. He had 10 rounds of VDC/IE first to shrink it then surgery. Then a further 4 rounds of chemo afterwards. Where is your fiancé's tumour located f i may ask?