Lung mets

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hany
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:39 am

Lung mets

Postby hany » Wed Aug 23, 2017 11:10 am

Hi, I am new to this group but I've been reading the threads since last year when my Mom was diagnosed with Stage 1 rectal cancer T2N0M0. It really helped me a lot and gave me relief and hope everytime I'm reading the threads.
I would just like to share my Mom's story and ask for your advice... When we found out that my Mom has a rectal tumor, we immediately went to a surgeon and seek medical advise. His advise was to remove the tumor but since it is on the very low part of her rectum, the doctor said that she will be having a permanent colostomy. my mom had her surgery and She did not advised to have a chemo since it is only stage 1. Instead, the onco ordered her to have a monitoring test every 6 mos. Last Feb was her first monitoring and it all went well. from CT scan to CEA to chest xray. And then, just last week, she had her 2nd monitoring which turned out that there are 4 lung nodules seen on her right upper lobe. the biggest is at 7mm with ground glass opacity. Last Feb, her CEA is 0.97 and this August, it goes up to 1.15, I'm not sure if the increase is a sign that the nodules are mets. I am scheduled to meet her onco next week. But I am really afraid that this might be another battle that we need to face. Last year's experience was so traumatic to me and for the family. Seeing my mom in pain hurts me a lot. Does anyone had an experience with stage 1 rectal cancer that has metastasis? what is the probability that these nodules are mets? :cry:
My mom
dx 8/2016 ultra low rectal cancer
Stage 1 T2N0M0
perm colostomy
no chemo/rad
2/2017 CEA 0.97
clear abdomen ct and chest xray
8/2017 CEA 1.15
clear abdomen ct
4 lung nodules 7mm biggest

prayer can move mountains

User avatar
susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Lung mets

Postby susie0915 » Wed Aug 23, 2017 11:53 am

I'm a stage 2A and during my 2nd scan after treatment a 4mm lung nodule showed up. I have both an oncologist and
pulmonologist and both do not think it is met but could be from past infection or the auto immune disorder for which I'm being monitored. However, the pulmonologist did say a new lung cancer is possible. We cannot biopsy, and pet scan will not pick up because it's too small. The ct scan was repeated 3 months later and the nodule did not change. My dr said that is good no change or shrinkage is best as cancers grow quickly (can double in 3-4 months). So I will be having another scan in November to check. The change in CEA level for your mother doesn't seem very significant. Mine has changed from .5 to 1 and back down again. I was told that generally lung nodules are watched until they reach 1 cm. Then pet scan and/or biopsy can be done. Good luck and prayers for you and your mom.

Susie
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

veckon
Posts: 131
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2017 7:44 am

Re: Lung mets

Postby veckon » Wed Aug 23, 2017 12:12 pm

hany wrote:Hi, I am new to this group but I've been reading the threads since last year when my Mom was diagnosed with Stage 1 rectal cancer T2N0M0. It really helped me a lot and gave me relief and hope everytime I'm reading the threads.
I would just like to share my Mom's story and ask for your advice... When we found out that my Mom has a rectal tumor, we immediately went to a surgeon and seek medical advise. His advise was to remove the tumor but since it is on the very low part of her rectum, the doctor said that she will be having a permanent colostomy. my mom had her surgery and She did not advised to have a chemo since it is only stage 1. Instead, the onco ordered her to have a monitoring test every 6 mos. Last Feb was her first monitoring and it all went well. from CT scan to CEA to chest xray. And then, just last week, she had her 2nd monitoring which turned out that there are 4 lung nodules seen on her right upper lobe. the biggest is at 7mm with ground glass opacity. Last Feb, her CEA is 0.97 and this August, it goes up to 1.15, I'm not sure if the increase is a sign that the nodules are mets. I am scheduled to meet her onco next week. But I am really afraid that this might be another battle that we need to face. Last year's experience was so traumatic to me and for the family. Seeing my mom in pain hurts me a lot. Does anyone had an experience with stage 1 rectal cancer that has metastasis? what is the probability that these nodules are mets? :cry:


Did they do a pathology on the lung nodule? It could be a new primary cancer or not cancer at all.
27 yo male
Metastatic rectal cancer diagnosed 12/16
Liver metastases and peritoneal carcinomatosis
Lynch syndrome, MSI-H
Failed liver resection 3/17
FOLFOX6 12/16 - 05/17
Keytruda 5/17 - present
@Memorial Sloan Kettering

User avatar
susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Lung mets

Postby susie0915 » Wed Aug 23, 2017 12:14 pm

Veckon is right. These may not be cancer at all. Could be scar tissue, inflammation or just benign nodules. Please try not to worry, as most nodules are benign.

Susie
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

hany
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:39 am

Re: Lung mets

Postby hany » Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:05 pm

Hi Susie, thanks for the feedback. I'm praying very hard that these 4 nodules are not mets or primary cancer. We are not sure if these nodules were there before because the radiologist said that these were not seen on Feb's chest xray because of the sizes. Thanks for your prayers.
My mom
dx 8/2016 ultra low rectal cancer
Stage 1 T2N0M0
perm colostomy
no chemo/rad
2/2017 CEA 0.97
clear abdomen ct and chest xray
8/2017 CEA 1.15
clear abdomen ct
4 lung nodules 7mm biggest

prayer can move mountains

hany
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:39 am

Re: Lung mets

Postby hany » Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:10 pm

Hi Veckon, no pathology yet. the radiologist told me that it is not an option for now because of the size of the nodules (biggest is 7mm). we need to closely monitor if there will be changes in the next scans (praying that if there are changes, it will be shrinkage or it will totally disappear)
I am yet to meet my mom's onco next week to discuss the next steps.
My mom
dx 8/2016 ultra low rectal cancer
Stage 1 T2N0M0
perm colostomy
no chemo/rad
2/2017 CEA 0.97
clear abdomen ct and chest xray
8/2017 CEA 1.15
clear abdomen ct
4 lung nodules 7mm biggest

prayer can move mountains

hany
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:39 am

Re: Lung mets

Postby hany » Wed Aug 23, 2017 7:20 pm

Hi Veckon, no pathology yet. the radiologist told me that it is not an option for now because of the size of the nodules (biggest is 7mm). we need to closely monitor if there will be changes in the next scans (praying that if there are changes, it will be shrinkage or it will totally disappear)
I am yet to meet my mom's onco next week to discuss the next steps.
My mom
dx 8/2016 ultra low rectal cancer
Stage 1 T2N0M0
perm colostomy
no chemo/rad
2/2017 CEA 0.97
clear abdomen ct and chest xray
8/2017 CEA 1.15
clear abdomen ct
4 lung nodules 7mm biggest

prayer can move mountains

AppleTree
Posts: 267
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 8:16 am

Re: Lung mets

Postby AppleTree » Thu Aug 31, 2017 2:08 am

My 1 year MRI showed a shadow on upper left lobe (June 16). Our PET machine comes a trailer every week. Within 2 weeks, PET confirmed 6.6 mm MET. My oncologist recommended immediate VATS instead of a biopsy. I had that done July 30 in Boston at Mass General. Surgeon said that if it came back, he could do it again and again. He got clear margins. Pathology confirmed cancer. I got my power port and just started Folfox. You might want to get a 2nd opinion on lung VATS. When you get scans, be sure to get your own copy on disk, plus the paper report...that way you have the information to bring with you if you get a 2nd opinion. Hugs.
Diag Feb 5, 2016 Age 45
3 cm tumor 5 cm from verge
Radiation + Xeloda pills - 3000mg 5x week
3/14 - 4/16 - 25 sessions
Shrank just over 50% L nodes 0/13
Remove rectum with temp Ileo 6/17
Reversal 7/20 due to infection
Acute hepatitis August. Chemo cancelled
June to September 2016 - 58 days in hospital

2017
6/16, MRI shadow in lung
Pet - 6.6mm Met in Upper R lobe
7/30 VAT surgery Mass General/Boston
8/24 port
8/30 - 4/28 Folfox. 12 rounds
2018
June CT shows new lung Mets.
July/Oct PETs...CLEAR!

hany
Posts: 15
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:39 am

Re: Lung mets

Postby hany » Thu Aug 31, 2017 3:07 am

Thanks Appletree!The radiologist recommended a watch and wait procedure which is hard for us. I will have an appointment with my moms onco next week to discuss the next steps.
My mom
dx 8/2016 ultra low rectal cancer
Stage 1 T2N0M0
perm colostomy
no chemo/rad
2/2017 CEA 0.97
clear abdomen ct and chest xray
8/2017 CEA 1.15
clear abdomen ct
4 lung nodules 7mm biggest

prayer can move mountains


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