Do I need a second opinion?

I am a soon to be 71 year old male smoker. In April I had a CT scan that identified an area of scar tissue on the outside of my right upper lung. I did a followup CT scan in late June that showed the area had grown to 2cm X 3 cm. A CT assited Biopsy was done and my Dr. said it was inconclusive. He referred me to a Oncologist and he ordered a series of test inculding a PET Scan.

I received the results today and all the test were clear except the PET Scan showed some adnominal activity in the area of the growth. The botton line is that the DR. does not know if I have cancer or not.  He wants me to have a Thoracoscopy to determine what the growth is.

The Dr. questioned me closely about my involvement with asbestos and I told him that I had never worked with or around asbestos. His questioning leads me to believe he thinks the growth may be associated with asbestos.

I have always been told that when surgery is involved, one should seek a second opinion My wife want me to go to Duke and let them review the diagnosis. Regardless of where I get the second opinion or not, it appears the growth will have to be removed.

Any advice/insight would be appreciated.

Jim

I would recommend getting the Thoracoscopy since it is the best way to determine what it is.  And time is very precious......just a few months or weeks can mean a lot as far as starting treatment if you needed to.  With my experience with my mom, it would likely take at least 2-3 weeks to get a second opinion and appointment.  And then it would take another week to get their opinion back. And then you would might have added a month onto the time it takes to get a thoracoscopy.  And it would likely be two weeks before you can get that scheduled and get the results back.  

In my original message, I failed to include the fact that I have no known symptoms related to cancer.  My energy level is still good, I am very active on a daily basis. I have gained about 10 Lbs since the original Ct Scan, no pain anyplace in my body. 

 

Jim

I agree that you should get the biopsy.  There is no other way to find out if it is cancer.  And you certainly do not have to have any symptoms, I didn't.  The second opinion may come in if they have trouble determining if it is cancer - send the tissue to another lab.  Or you may want a second opinion regarding treatment.

 

On 7/21/2009 Jstrick wrote:

I am a soon to be 71 year old male smoker. In April I had a CT scan that identified an area of scar tissue on the outside of my right upper lung. I did a followup CT scan in late June that showed the area had grown to 2cm X 3 cm. A CT assited Biopsy was done and my Dr. said it was inconclusive. He referred me to a Oncologist and he ordered a series of test inculding a PET Scan.

I received the results today and all the test were clear except the PET Scan showed some adnominal activity in the area of the growth. The botton line is that the DR. does not know if I have cancer or not.  He wants me to have a Thoracoscopy to determine what the growth is.

The Dr. questioned me closely about my involvement with asbestos and I told him that I had never worked with or around asbestos. His questioning leads me to believe he thinks the growth may be associated with asbestos.

I have always been told that when surgery is involved, one should seek a second opinion My wife want me to go to Duke and let them review the diagnosis. Regardless of where I get the second opinion or not, it appears the growth will have to be removed.

Any advice/insight would be appreciated.

Jim

It sounds like the thoroscopy is another test to find what you have.  You could have that while getting the appt sent up for a 2nd opinion.  The important thing is the treatment for the diagnosis.   They don't have a diagnosis.   Isn't the thoroscopy to see or test what the growth might be?    My oncologist, at a major cancer center, says they try to get 2nd opinions out within 2 weeks.  It is usually covered by insurance.   Your present medical center is geared for sending all records on.   Get what information you have to someone and then the thoroscopy info when it's available.    I had Stage IV cancer and didn't feel a bit ill, tumors spread from lung to back.   That you feel well is great, but not applicable to what you might have.  Just want you to keep feeling well, managing the disease victoriously.   Asking here and being willing to ask for more opinions is very helpful according to all involved with cancer care.  I agree with others that you don't want to postpone the proper treatment any more than absolutely necessary.   Keep up the good work, hope, take care of your diet, exercise, fun, and ask many questions.

I really appreciate the responses that I have received.  This is a great board and the postings have been helpful to me in making a decesion to go ahead with the Thoracoscopy as soon as possible. One of the responders said " that I did not have a diagnosis yet, to go ahead a remove the growth, then consider a second oponion."  That was the best advice I have received to date.

 I hope to have the surgery the first week of August. I will post the results as soon as I can after the surgery.

Jim

 

On 7/21/2009 Jstrick wrote:

I am a soon to be 71 year old male smoker. In April I had a CT scan that identified an area of scar tissue on the outside of my right upper lung. I did a followup CT scan in late June that showed the area had grown to 2cm X 3 cm. A CT assited Biopsy was done and my Dr. said it was inconclusive. He referred me to a Oncologist and he ordered a series of test inculding a PET Scan.

I received the results today and all the test were clear except the PET Scan showed some adnominal activity in the area of the growth. The botton line is that the DR. does not know if I have cancer or not.  He wants me to have a Thoracoscopy to determine what the growth is.

The Dr. questioned me closely about my involvement with asbestos and I told him that I had never worked with or around asbestos. His questioning leads me to believe he thinks the growth may be associated with asbestos.

I have always been told that when surgery is involved, one should seek a second opinion My wife want me to go to Duke and let them review the diagnosis. Regardless of where I get the second opinion or not, it appears the growth will have to be removed.

Any advice/insight would be appreciated.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Pls have 2nd opinion and other tests.  My mom was the same thing, after 3 biopsy on lung lesion samples were failed to determine what it was. They took a sample from the liver and it was test positive for SCLC. Like others stated, it took some time to schedule a biopsy test to be done.  A few weeks, a few months would b very helpful in a long run if it turns out the worst scenario...

Best wishes,

Victoria