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General questions and discussion about multiple myeloma (i.e., symptoms, lab results, news, etc.) If unsure where to post, use this discussion area.

Worried about possible lung cancer

by Gary D on Thu Jan 28, 2016 7:19 am

I got the results of a CT scan of my chest yesterday. The scan report says "in the right middle lobe there is a 1.2 cm spiculated round noncalcified soft tissue nodule worrisome for a primary or secondary lung carcinoma."

My oncologist is scheduling a biopsy to be done sometime next week to see if it is lung cancer.

I survived bladder cancer in 2008, and have been doing well with my multiple myeloma treatment since my diagnosis in April 2015.

Now I feel like cancer is "piling on". I know life doesn't have to be fair, but enough is enough!

Gary D
Name: Gary D
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
Age at diagnosis: 67

Re: Worried about possible lung cancer

by Cheryl G on Thu Jan 28, 2016 9:23 am

Hi Gary,

I'm sorry to hear about the CT scan result.

Are your doctors planning to do a biopsy to determine if the spot on your lung is lung cancer, rather than (for example) a plasmacytoma?

I did find one report of a case where a lung plasmacytoma initially appeared to be lung cancer.

H Huwer et al, "Solitary pulmonary plasmacytoma: report of two cases," Medical Oncology, March 2010 (abstract)

So a biopsy, or some sort of additional testing, might be useful to determine if this is really a new cancer as opposed to something related to your multiple myeloma.

Good luck, and please keep us posted as you learn more about your situation.

Cheryl G

Re: Worried about possible lung cancer

by Gary D on Thu Jan 28, 2016 7:18 pm

Thanks for the link about plasmacytoma. I'm getting biopsied next week and will learn the results. I could tell by the way my oncologist talked she thinks it is lung cancer, maybe stage 1, but we should know for sure by the end of next week.

I was feeling sorry for myself, but I realize many on this forum have it much worse than me with bone issues, etc, that I don't have.

I'm worried, and my poor wife is a wreck with this new issue to deal with. This whole ordeal is harder on her than me I think.

Gary D
Name: Gary D
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
Age at diagnosis: 67

Re: Worried about possible lung cancer

by mikeb on Thu Jan 28, 2016 10:16 pm

Hi Gary D,

Just want to send my best wishes to you and your wife. I does sound like "piling on."

Hang in there, and please keep us posted. We're rooting for you!

Mike

mikeb
Name: mikeb
Who do you know with myeloma?: self
When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
Age at diagnosis: 55

Re: Worried about possible lung cancer

by Gary D on Sat Feb 06, 2016 1:06 pm

I got the biopsy result yesterday and it shows I have an atypical carcinoid in my lung. My doc said that, although it is lung cancer, it could have been a much worse type. She said I'll need to have surgery to remove it. She is setting me up with a surgeon. I'm happy that she said the prognosis is good.

Gary D
Name: Gary D
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
Age at diagnosis: 67

Re: Worried about possible lung cancer

by NStewart on Sat Feb 06, 2016 3:44 pm

Gary D-

I'm sorry that the lung cancer has been confirmed. But, it sounds like your oncologist is pretty optimistic about your prognosis with it. Keep us informed about how you are doing. I know that you will have lots of people sending you prayers, healing energy, etc. over the next days and weeks as you deal with this latest kink in your journey.

Nancy in Phila

NStewart
Name: Nancy Stewart
Who do you know with myeloma?: self
When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
Age at diagnosis: 60

Re: Worried about possible lung cancer

by GaryH on Sat Feb 06, 2016 4:12 pm

What NStewart wrote x2 !

It sometimes seem life is unfair and it's not what we signed up for. I like to try and find the silver lining and it seems like your prognosis is for a good recovery from this. It's still a major hassle that you didn't need to go though. Lots of Positive, Healing Vibes from here. Hang in there, and that goes for your wife as well. What would we do without our family, eh?!

GaryH
Name: GaryH
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov./97
Age at diagnosis: 44

Re: Worried about possible lung cancer

by Mister Dana on Sat Feb 06, 2016 6:12 pm

Hi, there again, Gary D. Thanks for posting your biopsy result. For obvious reasons I have been thinking of you. Glad to hear it is an operable lesion and a good prognosis.

Mister Dana
Name: Mister Dana
Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2013
Age at diagnosis: 66

Re: Worried about possible lung cancer

by Gary D on Sun Feb 07, 2016 12:53 am

Thanks to all for the kind words, thoughts, and prayers.

I come to this forum for support and information, and I hope I will be able to give back support and encouragement as time goes by.

I feel I am handling this new diagnosis well – not feeling sorry for myself or thinking life is unfair. I did feel that way 10 months ago when I was diagnosed with myeloma. I felt that, since I had dealt with a serious case of bladder cancer and survived it 7 years before, that I had taken my turn with cancer, and it was not right for me to go through cancer again.

I remember when I was in the hospital last April after I was diagnosed with myeloma, I recalled for my pastor who had come to visit me an old bit of wisdom which goes like this: "There is nothing to be learned from the second kick of a mule." As a bladder cancer survivor, I felt myeloma was that second kick.

So how do I feel now that I have been kicked a third time? I'm ready to kick back and get on with my life.

Gary

Gary D
Name: Gary D
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
Age at diagnosis: 67

Re: Worried about possible lung cancer

by MrPotatohead on Wed Feb 10, 2016 11:43 pm

Gary D,

You have been through so much, and now this. You have my prayers for a successful surgery and full recovery.

I know very little about lung cancer, but I do know that tremendous progress has been made in treating it, and that many people are cured these days. It sounds like your oncologist is optimistic, and so I have a feeling that you will be one of those cured. You certainly deserve it.

MrPotatohead
Name: MrPotatohead
Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
When were you/they diagnosed?: March, 2015
Age at diagnosis: 65

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