What are the chances that this is cancer?
Asked by
Reggz (
149
)
April 15th, 2012
Incidentally, on an MRI I had done recently, they found what they called a “high signal subpleural nodule” (or something like that). It is greater than 8mm. All of my doctors are very suspicious/worried and I am having further scans and a biopsy in the coming weeks. I’m just really anxious about the whole thing and I’m wondering if anyone knows what the chances of this being malignant is.
Brief medical background: I am 20 years old, a cancer survivor (been in remission for 14 years), and I have quite a few health problems. I don’t smoke, but I have had high-dose radiation to my lungs, as I had 7 lung tumors previously.
I’m just worried that since I’ve had cancer in my lungs before, and radiation that increases my risk, the chances of this “nodule” being cancerous are very high, and I’m totally freaking out!
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6 Answers
What does your doctor say?
I am in no position to answer your question but want to acknowledge your anxiety and trust you are receiving the very best of medical care and support from family and friends that you need… I guess all we can do,ever, is hope for the best but you have obviously been through a lot of very difficult experiences in your years and I know how difficult it can be to calm one’s anxiety until all the facts are known… I send you best wishes for a positive outcome, take care….
The chances remain the same whether you worry about it or not. The logical conclusion, then, is not to worry. If it did turn out to be cancer, would you be any further ahead for having wasted weeks chewing your fingernails and living in dread?
The Master gives himself up
to whatever the moment brings.
He knows that he is going to die,
and he has nothing left to hold on to:
no illusions in his mind,
no resistances in his body.
He doesn’t think about his actions;
they flow from the core of his being.
He holds nothing back from life;
therefore he is ready for death,
as a man is ready for sleep
after a good day’s work.
[Verse 50 of the Tao Te Ching, Mitchell translation]
@Reggz, welcome to Fluther. It sounds like you are a very, very strong person who has already been through a lot in your life. Stay strong. It sounds like you are on the right path with the physicians and the tests that are lined-up. I can’t imagine how anxious you must be. Please, keep us updated on the outcome of the tests. Best wishes for your health.
I am not a doctor, and know very little about what you ask. I do think that is the diagnosis an employee of mine had, he had to take time off for a lung biopsy, and it wound up to be nothing. But, I guess your doctors want to be sure, since they are scheduling more tests. I hope it is nothing :). Let us know what happens.
I’m sorry that you are freaking out. Please take a deep breath (or three or four) and realize that there is nothing you can do until you get the medical information that you need.
Start thinking what your strategy will be if it is cancer. The better prepared you are, the better you can handle it.
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