pnumonitis showing up on CT

[Marge Pugh]

Chris has no respiratory symptoms. All his labs and CXR are normal. Oncologist said it was a definate consolidation in the lower lobe. He did not think it was metatasis. I am concerned since he was 99% embrynol cell carcinoma. We will have some kind of follow up before we go any further with the decision Chris made to undergo RPLND. Any thoughts or comments?

[mk6439]

Marge, my husband's cancer was almost entirely embryonal and he had a 5 mm suspicious nodule in his lung in his first CT scan (chest xray and abdominal CT were clear, tumor markers normal). His oncologist had us wait 6 weeks and do another scan before deciding what to do because he said it would declare itself if it was metastasis. After 6 weeks, it had declared itself and my husband started chemo. Now he's all clear, and he avoided an unnecessary RPLND.

[BouncingChris]

Symptoms

Did your husband have any symptoms that came along with this mestasis? Currently, I'm not having any symptoms at all, no shortness of breath or chest pain or anything.

[mk6439]

No, he didn't have any symptoms. The nodule was so small that I guess it wasn't interfering with his lung function at all. Has your doctor mentioned anything about a follow up scan before you make your treatment decision? It sounds like you're in a different position than my husband was -- there was definitely a small nodule on his scan -- but it might be worth asking about.

[BouncingChris]

Only 1/3 doctors seemed concerned. He said it's probably something I want to follow up with, but didn't seem too upset by it. Just recommended that I watch it. He said I should see my family doctor, but I'm afraid that all of this might shock him. I haven't talked to him since I had Impetigo my sophomore year in High School. I try to maintain a positive attitude, but it's tough. I've never had a medical problem in my whole life. Impetigo and Ingrown Toenails were about as serious as I got. This is a whole new world for me.

[mk6439]

You're in good company, I think this strikes a lot of men who hadn't seen a doctor in years. Before my husband was diagnosed (at 28), I don't think he had seen a doctor since he broke his leg in 9th grade. There's every reason to keep your spirits up, you'll beat this.

[BouncingChris]

Yeah,
Marge is my Mom. She's been taking great care of me. Today is my first full-day back at work since my Orc. and clearly I'm not getting much "work" done. Researching has kind of become priority. I appreciate all the kind words that I've read. This site has been a great source of information and support.

I know it's been good for my Mom too. She's an RN and sometimes she knows so much it scares her. I'm a believer that in some circumstances, Ignorance truely is bliss. Unfortunately, she did not have that option here.

[Marge Pugh]

and hopefully get rock star treatment.

Now that's what I am talking about....Rock on!!

[Scott]

I am concerned since he was 99% embrynol cell carcinoma. We will have some kind of follow up before we go any further with the decision Chris made to undergo RPLND. Any thoughts or comments?

Embryonal carcinoma can spread through the blood, reducing the chances that RPLND would be curative. That's another reason to favor surveillance.