Trying To Diagnose

My mom, 76 years old, with shortness of breath had a CT scan which the radiologist read as showing a 3.2 x 2.1 x 3.5 spiculated mass in right upper lobe, suspicious for lung neoplasm. Also read associated subcentimeter mediastinal lymph nodes, and found 1.7 cm left adrenal nodule "does not meet characteristics for a benign adenoma". Sounded scary. Her pulmonologist wasn't so sure and said she needed to explore more so did a bronchoscopy. We just found out that pathology came back negative (not just inconclusive) but pulmonologist said go on antibiotics for 1 week and then go for PET scan just to make sure the biopsy did not miss something in the posterior part of the mass. We were hoping to know one way or the other, and now there is more waiting. Help!!

waiting is part of the game in oncology and yes, its not easy. Masses with spiculated borders are usually suggestive of malignancy, but the biopsy came back negative so see what the PET says and let us know.

I just wanted to let you know about something I saw on T.V. recently. Never give up hope. Most people are not aware of cancer clinical trials. Only 3 per cent take advantage of the trials that may extend their lives. It is something I would look into , should I ever be diagnosed. It was on ABC news , so am sure you can get information from t heir web site.

Good Luck to you.

We got the PET scan result: SUV 5.7 for lung and 4.3 for left adrenal. No other positives, which I guess is good (i.e. liver, etc.). Plus the size of the masses did not increase over 4 weeks, so maybe not aggressive? But, still don't know what "it" is - bronchoscopy didn't find anything. Next step is possible needle biopsy which doctor didn't want to do before because of the location in the right upper lobe. But, without getting at it, so to speak, we can't treat it. Seems like surgery will not be an option, however, with the adrenal involvement.