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What To Do If Having Nodule On Lung With A History Of Pneumothorax, Melanoma?
I had a CT scan on Friday and found out today that there is a 9mm nodule on my lung. I had a spontaneous pneumothorax in 2009 that had to be surgically fixed. The CT scan was to look at something on that lung, but the nodule is on the other lung. The pneumothorax was a shock (at the time 48, woman, non-smoker, slim -- but not young, male, thin, smoker). I am just crushed. I am at work and have not told anyone yet. I m scheduled for a PET scan and biopsy on Tuesday. My doctor was very shocked, too. I am scared. Background: I had a melanoma removed in 1991 and another in situ a few years ago. I go frequently to be checked. The only other thing I am thinking about is checking our house for radon. I am utterly unable to comprehend what I might find out on Tuesday. Thank you.
Tue, 29 Apr 2014
Hello
Thanks for your query.
Melanoma has a chance of hematological dissemination to lung and it can occur many years after the treatment of primary melanoma. Sometimes endobronchial metastasis can rupture into the pleural space and can cause pneumothorax. Though it is rare but may happen. Probably this is the explanation of your pneumothorax and as it was surgically fixed there is no chance of recurrence of pneumothorax again. The next step will be a PET scan and biopsy of the nodule to confirm the nature of the nodule for which you have already scheduled. Everything depends upon the biopsy report.
Thank you.
Regards
Dr Arnab Maji
Thanks for your query.
Melanoma has a chance of hematological dissemination to lung and it can occur many years after the treatment of primary melanoma. Sometimes endobronchial metastasis can rupture into the pleural space and can cause pneumothorax. Though it is rare but may happen. Probably this is the explanation of your pneumothorax and as it was surgically fixed there is no chance of recurrence of pneumothorax again. The next step will be a PET scan and biopsy of the nodule to confirm the nature of the nodule for which you have already scheduled. Everything depends upon the biopsy report.
Thank you.
Regards
Dr Arnab Maji
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