Hi, I rarely post on here but do check in a fair amount and read reams of threads! I have not been diagnosed with secondary cancer (and I am sorry for all of those who have or fear that they may be) but am currently worried about lung mets. I am 43, diagnosed with Grade II BC (ER+PR+) last September in my right breast and had a masectomy within three weeks of diagnosis (incl 9 x lymphs) followed by chemo and rads which finished in April. At diagnosis, I didn’t think about having a double masectomy but as the news sank in I began to think about it and discussed it with my surgeon who considered that it would be risk reducing for me. I decided to have a masectomy even though I have no evidence of BC in left side. In August this year I had my first CT scan and blood tests for staging. Just after booking my surgery in for end September I got the results. Whilst the CT was generally OK and my bloods (incl markers) fine, I have a couple of tiny pulmonary lung nodules in my upper right lung. I have gone into hyperdrive about them (esp since I am an ex-smoker) and fear that they are lung mets although my Oncologist is not overly worried and nor was the radiologist (because there was no surrounding inflammation). It is causing me to question whether I should proceed with the surgery in a few weeks time when I won’t know if they are lung mets or benign nodules until my next CT scan in December. To make matters worse, my oncologist referred me to a lung specialist at my request, but I can’t get an appointment prior to my surgery date. My dilemna is whether to hold off on surgery until a) after I have seen a lung specialist for an opinion on the nodules or b) after the results of my December scan give me a clearer picture. In my head, if I go ahead with surgery I am proceeding as if all will be well with the nodules and if I delay it, I am giving the possibility that they are lung mets some credence. Has anyone experienced similar dilemnas when it comes to surgery and the possibility of secondary cancer and if so how did you or would you proceed?
I would cancel the surgery if the only reason you are doing it is preventive measures and insist they biopsy those nodules. The only true way to know is to biopsy them. You can’t second guess with a scan. They could grow cancer or not. They could stay the same size cancer or not. I woukd want the answer so I could move forward with a plan if action. FYI…I have been living with lung mets for 10 years. Funnyface