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Original poster

Mass on Lung....urgent referral - should we be worried??

49 replies

stressedbeyond123 · 15/08/2016 13:29

Hi, long time lurker, first time poster (so in the wise words of Miranda - "bear with")

Last Tuesday (9th), my mum had an x-ray and was told results would be 7-14 days. Radiographer checked the x-ray just to make sure it was clear and wouldn't need to be done again, when she came out the room she told my mum that the x-ray would be with GP tomorrow and to ring in the morning.

anyway 5pm the same evening as having the x-ray she received a call from the GP saying they needed to see her urgently. They opened the surgery early Wednesday to see her. All they said was that they have seen a "mass" on the left lung and referred her for urgent CT Scan. She received a call on Thursday (11th), saying her appt for Scan was on Friday, and an appt with the Consultant has been made for tomorrow (16th) to discuss results etc.

We are all thinking the worst, and i know what it looks like, but surely this can also be for something simple(ish) like an absyss or something - or do you think they know what they have seen but just need it confirmed??

I know we can do nothing more than wait until tomorrow when results are discussed, but the scenarios running through my head are driving me insane.

Has anyone had something similar to this and had a good outcome??

TIA x

OP posts:

ImperialBlether · 15/08/2016 13:30

How old is your mum, OP?

ImperialBlether · 15/08/2016 13:31

And did she/does she smoke?

Original poster

stressedbeyond123 · 15/08/2016 13:31

Should also say only symptoms she has had is weight loss (quite a lot), a little bit of a hoarse voice, and spasms in the top of her back (which is why the doctor asked for an x-ray as she thought maybe it was a lingering infection) x

OP posts:

Original poster

stressedbeyond123 · 15/08/2016 13:32

Hi Imperial - she's 72 and yes she's a smoker x

OP posts:

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 15/08/2016 13:34

Is someone going with her to the appointment?
It might be a good idea for her to have someone, just for company?

DraeneiMage · 15/08/2016 13:36

I don't have any experience with this but I imagine they'll do a biopsy to rule everything out?
for you

Original poster

stressedbeyond123 · 15/08/2016 13:39

Thanks Guys...

My dad is going with her. I have also taken half-day off work (her appt is in the afternoon) to go also, but they have said they want to go by themselves and have promised to fill us in afterwards (i have a brother and sister) x

OP posts:

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 15/08/2016 13:40

Good luck.

Original poster

stressedbeyond123 · 15/08/2016 13:41

Draine...a biopsy hasn't been mentioned yet, i assume if necessary it will be discussed tomorrow. All that has been really been mentioned is if it is, then she will need Chemo, Radiotherapy and possibly surgery at a later date, that's it x

OP posts:

Original poster

stressedbeyond123 · 15/08/2016 13:41

Thank you Chardonnay x

OP posts:

mayhew · 15/08/2016 13:43

We had exactly the same as this with my brother two years ago. Its the fast track service for POSSIBLE lung cancer. Its an excellent system and means people get into treatment without delay.

He had weight loss, cough, weakness and is an incorrigible smoker.

However, within 10 days he had a diagnosis which was NOT cancer. He had emphysema with a chronic bronchitis. His emphysema in incurable and caused by his smoking. He still bloody smokes.

Babyroobs · 15/08/2016 13:45

It is perfectly reasonable to be worried. There is a possibility that it could be something not particularly serious, but them calling your mum back quickly and the weight loss and hoarse voice would all ring alarm bells to me especially as she is a smoker . I'm sorry you are going through this and glad to read your dad is going with your mum tomorrow.

bloodynoris · 15/08/2016 13:46

Sorry your going through this I went through this with my mum at the start of the year. If you can go try and go with them as they wont ask as many questions as you are likely to ask failing that you and your siblings write out some questions for them to ask and tell them to take in a pen to write down what the consultant says. It's such a hard time but what ever it is they've caught it quick. Come back and update as tomorrow and if you want to chat your more then welcome to message me.

Just to add my mum is doing brilliantly now and put all weight back on and surgery was a success so try not to worry to much I know it's easier said then done. Sending you big hugs (even though MN is frown upon but think you need them)

Babyroobs · 15/08/2016 13:47

So have the Drs discussed the possibility of it being cancer already?

Original poster

stressedbeyond123 · 15/08/2016 13:53

Thank you everyone.....they have said its a possibility, but have given no other explanation/possible reasons as to what it can be.

What is scaring us is how quick this has all happened - although the fact that they are treating whatever it is seriously also makes us feel ok about it and that they are on the ball here.

My sister thinks they know what they have seen and are just waiting for these tests to confirm, but i think they will come back and say its an absyss or something (wishful thinking i know). xx

OP posts:

Original poster

stressedbeyond123 · 15/08/2016 13:56

@bloodynoris - thank you for your kind words (thank you everyone also).

i am so pleased to hear your mum is doing well now and everything is ok fantastic news xx

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Babyroobs · 15/08/2016 14:00

I'm sorry to say I don't think they would mention such serious treatments as chemo or Radiotherapy unless they thought it was cancer. I hope I'm wrong. I would have thought from an X ray and scan they would be able to tell the difference between an abcess and a tumour. Also I don't think there would be a big weight loss from an abcess. Has your mum had a temperature / fever? Is she short of breth at all?

Babyroobs · 15/08/2016 14:02

Just to add, the treatment if it is cancer is improving all the time and it sounds like they are acting quickly which is good.

Stopyourhavering · 15/08/2016 14:05

Certain symptoms raise a 'red flag warning' for certain diseases.....weight loss, hoarse voice and a mass could signify something sinister and this is why things have moved so quickly. I suspect they will suggest a bronchoscopy to try to obtain a tissue sample for definitive diagnosis....could be abscess but it may also be TB or cancer . She may well also have to have a PET scan as well and her case will be discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting with pathologist and radiologist as well as respiratory team and specialist nurses
Hope you get results soon

Original poster

stressedbeyond123 · 15/08/2016 14:12

@babyroobs - she has flu like symptoms. when she first went to the doctors about 2 weeks they put her on antibiotics and she went back a week later as they didn't touch her or do anything at all really. She is very tired all the time - if she pops out in the car with my dad for half hour she's in bed for about 8 hours afterwards as it takes it out of her bless her x

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Original poster

stressedbeyond123 · 15/08/2016 14:14

Thank you Stopyourhavering - hopefully we will have some more definitive answers tomorrow when she sees the consultant and will put our minds at ease - or at the very least give us more information so we know what the hell is going on, be it good or bad :) x

OP posts:

LavenderRains · 15/08/2016 22:51

for you
its the waiting that's the worst. I went through this with my dad and unfortunately it was cancer.
I went with him and mum for the consultant appointment and waited in the waiting room.
I'm so glad I was there as mum went to pieces and dad was trying to be brave so they didn't take anything in!
The treatment was excellent and started very soon. Now 2 years later he's in fine form (he's 72)
But i really feel for you. The waiting is definitely the worst bit. Good luck

Original poster

stressedbeyond123 · 16/08/2016 09:03

Thank you Lavendar, means a lot. In all honesty as much as we are trying to stay positive, we do think its cancer. But, as with your father's story, there are happy endings and we are positive that everything will be done for my mum.

i am so pleased that your father is, it really is such a worry xx

OP posts:

PotteringAlong · 16/08/2016 09:04

They will ask her if she's stopped smoking when she goes to the hospital. Has she stopped now?

lovelybangers · 16/08/2016 09:20

Sorry to hear this OP.

One the one hand it is great that your DM is being booked in so swiftly to find out what is happening. On the other of course -it's worrying.

I know very little about this - but my Father has recently been diagnosed with lung cancers. He is a similar age to your mother. He livesin USA so medical procedures might differ - but he is having loads of radiotherapy (daily) and chemo (weekly) which they are pretty sure will get rid of it.

He sounds tired but confident that he will be fine after all this.

to keep your spirits up

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