I am 53 and I have a pleural based nodule in the lingula, left side. This was first discovered on a chest xray in October of 05. In November of 05 I had a CT Scan. Three months later on Feb. 27th of 06 I had another CT scan. Between the Nov. scan and the Feb scan the nodule had not changed. On May 22nd I had another ct scan. Last Friday my pulmonary doc's nurse called me and told me that the ct scan from the previous monday showed that the nodule had increased in size.

My original appointment with my pulmo doc was for June 21st. Last Friday it was bumped up to tomorrow. At this appointment my doctor will be talking to me about getting the Pet CT scan done. How much the nodule grew I do not know at this time, but I will find that out tomorrow.

I kind of had a feeling when I had the recent ct scan done that something was going to be different than the previous scans. I have been having discomfort in the area between my shoulder blades mostly on the left side. This has been going on for 3 weeks now.

Three months ago I was dx with Emphyzema. I am in the beginning of the first stage with a FEV1 of 66% of predicted. I use an inhaler every 6 hours. I smoked cigarettes for 31 years. After smoking for 11 years I quit for 5 years and then I started back up again. I quit smoking 13 weeks ago. Three days before I was dx.

I am anxious to go to my doctors tomorrow to find out how much the nodule has increased in size. I am also very scared and worried. There has never been any lung cancer in my immediate family or extended family, ie aunts, uncles and cousins.

What does it mean pleural based nodule in the lingula?

I would appreciate any response. Thank you in advance

Hi....Do you know how big your nodule is? I also have a couple of plueral based nodules on the left side. From what I understand, they are located in the out lining of the lung, called the pluera. I have 5 total nodules in my left lung. I had a PET and it came back positive with a hot spot in my mediastinum. This is the area that my doctors are worried about. They are talking about surgery to get a biopsy. My bronchoscopy came back okay.
I have found out that this is not a quick journey. I have had several tests and they still have no diagnosis. My doctors also feel that this is probably not cancer, but there is some risk. I have been worried and scared since this all began a month ago, so I know exactly how you are feeling. Lets give each other support and strenght to make it through this journey.
Keep me posted as I will do the same.
Take Care,

Lisa

Lisa,
Im going for my pulmonary consult in 2 weeks for nodules found during ct scan. I wish you had heard something with your bronchoscopy. I dont like waiting. I feel detached from my family because I have not told them much about what is happening due to my parents just dying from lung cancer in May. I dont want them to worry unnecessarily until I know for sure what they are. Its lonely and Im still grieving for my parents. I hope you find out soon and I hope its good news. Did they tell you what type of surgery and where it will be performed. Im the one from Lakeland too. I'll be thinking of you.

Becky

LisaInFlorida.
The nodule is located in the upper left side of my lung. Thank God there is only one. After seeing the nodule on the computer it looks to be the size of my pinky finger. As far as the actual size I will not know that until I receive the copies of the radiologist report.

After seeing my pulmonary doc this past Friday he said that he doesn't think that the nodule changed in size, but the doctor that read the ct scan said that it did indeed change.

My doctor cannot give me a 100% assurance that it is not cancer. He said that the only way to tell is the Pet Scan or a biopsy.
So my pulmo doc gave me two options. One I could get the Pet scan done without the ct part of it, being that I just had the ct done, or Two we can wait another 3 months and get another ct scan done and see if there are anymore changes. Well I told him that I do not want to waste any more time. That I want to get the Pet scan done asap. At this point in the game I cannot see putting myself through waiting another 3 months and wasteing precious time. I am hoping to get the pet scheduled for this week or next week.

Thank you for replying. At least I know now that there is someone else out there in the same boat that I am in. I really have no one that I can talk to about this. I have told my brothers and sister and my best friends, but they do not want to deal with it. So they are leaving me to deal with my situation myself. I have been divorced for 11 years. I have no one to go with me and support me when I go for tests. So I feel really alone.

Thank you again.

Just a note to add..I had the pet scan and it came back positive BUT the pulmonoligist thinks it might be a false positive. SO, keep in mind that a pet scan is not 100% accurate.

Worrying is a very natural state, but it can also be hurtful to your situations. I smoked for 38 years when I had an annual physical in March and the xray showed a nodule in my right lower lung. Then a CT scan confirmed it was 1.9 cm X 2.0 cm. My doc thought for sure it was lung cancer and sent me to a pulmonolgist. She took my medical and travel history and by the grace of God ordered several tests for me including a PET scan. From the very beginning, I told myself I did not have cancer and whatever I had was going to get better. My blood tests came back with a positive result for an infection of coccidiodomycosis (a fungal infection you can get on the SW U.S. - I wrote a post on this under infectious disease on this forum) My PET came back cold all over - but the research I did showed even infections can cause a positive result on the PET. Now after 3 months and a follow up CT - my nodule has not changed. I know God has been kind to me, especially when I read about the pain and suffering from others on this site. But I truly believe a good attitude can be very helpful - both physically and emotionally. I wish all of you the best and I will pray for you - He does listen.

Tom