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Please say a little prayer

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Andy Battaglia:
Hi Christine,

It took a bit of searching but I finally found some information of the growth of solitary pulmonary nodules and what it means. And I do hope this gives you a little peace of mind and we definitely will all be praying that everything will be fine.

The doubling time of the nodule is a key bit of information in determining whether or not the nodule is malignant or benign.  From http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1997/03_97/lilling.htm


--- Quote ---Detection of growth
Malignant nodules usually grow at a constant exponential rate, which can be expressed as the tumor's doubling time (ie, the interval required for it to double in size). An increase of 28% in nodule diameter indicates doubling (1). In malignant lesions, the doubling time is between 25 and 450 days in most cases, with a median of 120 days.

Benign lesions are usually stable (ie, show no growth). Sometimes they grow slowly (ie, doubling time exceeds 500 days), but occasionally their doubling time falls within the time frame typical of a malignant tumor. A long-standing surgical dictum states that a solitary pulmonary nodule is almost certainly benign if it is stable over a 2-year period (which implies a doubling time exceeding 730 days). Stability is determined by retrospective analysis of one or more chest films.
--- End quote ---

Yours has doubled (1.66 cm would be exactly 28% bigger) in far longer than the two year period, so hopefully this is nothing serious. I did find one other source that mentioned that it isn't common but they do sometimes slowly grow. The CT scan will give a better view for diagnostic purposes.

I want to mention one more thing about smoking that many people are unaware of. Lisa first told me about this. Cigarette smoke is high in iron which is very readily absorbed in the lungs. I don't want to lecture but it is a fact of which thals should be aware.

sydneygirl:
hi christine,
im sorry to hear about your health problems and your right 27 is way too young toi develop anything! im also 27 and have thal major,you will be in my prayers.take care
sydneygirl

Christine Mary:
Thanks so much for your prayers and advice everyone!! :hugfriend

A few positives that I didn't mention....

1. It wasn't a STAT CT scan, so I would think if they were suspicious they would have told me to go immediatley.

2.There IS calcification, which shows promise of being benign.

3.I had my xrays done at two different centers in the past, so the likelihood of the radiologists opinions being different are a factor.

4.I had blood work done in Aug.2006 when i was in labor with Lauryn, and my results were perfect.(white cell count etc...)

5.The fact that I did have this for so long, and there have'nt been MAJOR changes gives me hope.

Christine Mary:
OH!!!! and....

My dr said yesterday that if I wanted to go pick up the chest xrays from a surgery I had in 2005 and bring them to the NEW xray place, i can avoid the CT scan and just have them compared....

 :dunno

Bharat:
Chritine27

Hope all goes well for you. You're in my prayers.

Regards
Bharat

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