Postby susie0915 » Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:40 am
I had the same results without the honeycombing in my post chemo ct scan in the lungs. It is basically scarring and inflammation in the lungs that can be caused by chemo or from an autoimmune disorder. I was referred to a pulmonologist who is now monitoring me for an autoimmune disorder such as scleroderma, lupus, sjogrens, or rheumatoid arthritis which can cause interstitial lung disease. I did have raynauds before my cancer diagnosis ( which is when hands go numb in cold) so that is why they suspect auto immune disorder. I was also referred to a rheumatologist who is also monitoring me. I don't have any other symptoms and have been told it may never progress. Only one blood test came back positive that could indicate scleroderma, but just don't have any other symptoms. So my lungs are checked every 6 months and I have to have echocardiograms, and pulmonary tests every 6 months. I have no shortness of breath, even when running so we just have to keep monitoring. Hopefully it will never progress, but I was told that it was probably always there but the chemo may have made it worse. Always something to worry about. Good luck to you and your mom, keep us updated. I know it's distressing to read these things. I also have a 4mm nodule being watched. My oncologist told me she does not believe it's a met but related to the scarring and inflammation. My pulmonologist said the same but did mention possibility of new lung cancer. (ugh) So we have to keep checking, first follow up showed no change. I have a scan in January to check again. Anxiety beginning. Hopefully no change also. It's too small to biopsy and a pet scan would not pick it up. So waiting is the only option. I hope your mom's doctor can give you piece of mind.
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